Is AEW considered a stepping stone/rebound from wwe?

[ChitownKnight]

Now it’s obviously bigger than TNA was, but do you consider it a step down from wwe? Sure wwe is more mainstream and likley will always be but they have a 50+ year head start and WCW was leading against WWE for 86 weeks so anything can happen. I think Mox sticking with them, Danielson going there to I presume help the company out, and as much as a prick as he is, CM Punk returning gave AEW a HUGE boost. Hell you got Rick Ross and Shaq on the show. Will it always just be a #2 like Bellator? Could it rise up? Is it already a equal alternative?

[EoE: Workin On My Night Cheese]

They’ve done very well to get as close to WWE as they have. Nobody’s put a dent in them since WCW. But, to a lot of people you don’t become #1 until you beat #1. Whatever that entails, be it selling out a full-size stadium or beating RAW and SmackDown (on FOX, not FS1) in viewer numbers, not demos, those things haven’t happened yet. Not saying that they never will, though.

[Totorob101]

Given time I can see it being more then equal and honestly I think AEW is a step up from WWE in terms of pro wrestling,if you just care for fame and money WWE is probably the place for you but if you care a bout being the best pro wrestler then AEW is the place to be.

[Dub H]

Honestly I think some wrestlers do see it as such.

But I think it is a minority . Aew managed to carve itself nicely as the " come be a free pro wrestler" promotion where you get paid very well while still having more overall freedom.

So it's not a strict step down as leaving wwe to go to tna

[chazraps]

No, I don't think it is as it's a wholly alternative product. It's never had the WWE-lite element that TNA often had. It's different enough in presentation, approach, target audience and end-product to fully be its own thing.

[cjb01: Limited Edition Item!]

I think it was way bigger than TNA EVER was, even when they attempted touring they blow their numbers out of the water. TNA also tried way too hard to punch up to WWE with their promos by making every single WWE castoff cut the same "COMPANY UP NORTH" shit the second they went there, yes AEW's taken WWE shots, but never to the TNA degree, TNA made it damn near parody they did it so much

The other thing that helps is management, Tony Khan isn't a perfect man, I know, but he understands how to actually run this business, and make money doing it, and make partnerships and sell it to companies in a way that actually makes sense, and by and large, seems to treat everyone he works with, with respect, and has a very hands on approach with everything, and Dixie Carter just never had any of that, she lost the room multiple times, one time airing the pre-Hogan talent meeting ON AIR to show just how much she lost the f***ing room and she didn't even know it.

Going from WWE to AEW's a difference of a couple hundred thousand live viewers at this point if you're on RAW, and in terms of pay scale, maybe it's a bit lower I wouldn't know I'm not in their accounting department, but they allow talent to make extra money through other bookings, twitch, New Japan/other Japan promotions, and so many more avenues, especially now that he's brought ROH.

I guess it will always vary on the wrestler on if they think it's a huge step down or not in what they're doing, but AEW's proven to have carved out their own, very dedicated fanbase, that can draw huge venues, and get you as over as anyone else in the world of wrestling. It's not a guarantee that you're going to be instantly better there, but as far as it goes? AEW's proving to be a very strong #2, and currently that's all wrestling needs right now, because there only being a monopoly in the US was total hell.

[Chiral]

I think AEW is a place where highly creative types seem to thrive the most. Not saying that not being creative is a bad thing at all, but a lot of the ones who seem the most stressed in the AEW environment are the ones who struggle to come up with their own character/motivation/storylines (sans like a CM Punk situation who is obviously a creative mind). There's nothing wrong with being a more "you tell me what to do and I do it" type in wrestling but a good chunk of AEW seems built more on letting "Let me show you what I want to do with my character that I couldn't do in a more constrained environment" types thrive.

[Bo Rida]

More a sideways move, an alternative. Some chose aew over WWE while others would never have done that if not future endeavoured.
Very few activitely chose TNA (Christian and Sting being most notable).

Of course there's a lot of weirdos who only use money to value anything and will defend their favourite billionaire/corporation to the death. They'll always see it as a step down unless aew are the market leader (regardless of individual pay).

However for most it's more an actor working for a different major movie studio while TNA was more of a straight to video studio.
To stretch the metaphor there's also those that believe foreign and/or indy cinema is better anyway.

[pinja]

When a wrestler's career has been longer than a company's existence, I don't blame them feeling it might not be the end game. AEW likely has done as good as they can, but there is nothing like the trust only a long history can build. Let AEW become stable for another ten years and some more wrestlers may lose the possible hesitation.

[Gerard Gerard]

Tony Khan as recently as the ill-fated Helwani interview has stated he views the product as a challenger/alternative brand like Dr. Pepper to Coke rather than being straight-up competition. It’s a pretty healthy space to be with plenty of room for growth.

[Deleted]

It will be equal as long as they don't fall into the trap that TNA did.

TNA fell off massively when they started putting the title on guys like Eric Young, Chris Sabin, Magnus and the like.

I feel AEW will go the same if they start putting guys like Ricky Starks, Daniel Garcia, Sammy Guevara and Action Andretti in the main event.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, they need star power to compete. Smaller Flippy guys is gonna make it feel like an Indy company.

[CeilingFan]

Dec 27, 2022 9:11:15 GMT -5 @negan said:

It will be equal as long as they don't fall into the trap that TNA did.

TNA fell off massively when they started putting the title on guys like Eric Young, Chris Sabin, Magnus and the like.

I feel AEW will go the same if they start putting guys like Ricky Starks, Daniel Garcia, Sammy Guevara and Action Andretti in the main event.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, they need star power to compete. Smaller Flippy guys is gonna make it feel like an Indy company.

I prefer flippy guys over steroid freaks.

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2022 9:11:15 GMT -5 @negan said:

It will be equal as long as they don't fall into the trap that TNA did.

TNA fell off massively when they started putting the title on guys like Eric Young, Chris Sabin, Magnus and the like.

I feel AEW will go the same if they start putting guys like Ricky Starks, Daniel Garcia, Sammy Guevara and Action Andretti in the main event.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, they need star power to compete. Smaller Flippy guys is gonna make it feel like an Indy company.

Maybe they just need to work out for 4 months, instead of 3. 

[kidkamikaze10]

There are certain wrestlers who I think believe it. The Andrade's and Miro's out there who saw WWE as the top, and still see it that way.

It will take time, but AEW will stop being considered that as long as they continue to do well.

[polarbearpete]

I think many of the talent and most fans see it as somewhat of a step down. And as for exposure, WWE is the bigger global brand and even in the States, viewership for Smackdown is more than double Dynamite, while Raw is about 75% higher in viewership. But it’s as close as any company’s been to WWE since WCW folded and they’re seemingly in a good financial position with hopefully a rights increase coming in 2024.

[Main Event Mark]

Depends on whether you're a professional wrestler or a sports entertainer.

[Deleted]

As with most things in life, it all depends on the person.

For better or worse, AEW has (rightly, in my opinion) eschewed from any "casual fan" bullshit and focused on catering to the rather sizeable audience that wants an alternative to or from the WWE, which has made for a different set of values.

While there are those who would probably go back to WWE tomorrow if given the opportunity (Andrade/Regal, who did go back/etc.), there are others who've made it clear they prefer where they are, such as Mox, Swerve, Keith Lee, and the like.

[smokinvokoun86]

It’s kind of crazy that next year AEW is gonna celebrate its 5 year anniversary. And in that span they’ve done a hell of a job getting to the level they have gotten too. They are the biggest American wrestling since WCW, TNA never got this big. So for them to be as huge as they are, is a true achievement.

But yeah, I can imagine for some wrestlers, the endgame is always WWE. They are company that’s been around since the 50s and have been a pop culture staple for almost 40 years. Of course they have a bigger image and more reach. And yes, they are much larger and will provide more exposure. I do believe AEW can reach that level or at least have an image that can be at least almost as large. But they need more time and more years. You can’t expect AEW to be neck and neck with WWE after only 4-5 years. So maybe they are the “minor leagues” for some, but that doesn’t mean it will always be the case.

[Ringmaster]

I live for the day when any wrestling company that isn't WWE will stop being labeled as a stepping stone to get to them.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

For some people yes and for some people no.