AEW should ride the wave and focus on Character Developments

[Dub H]

Two of their most successful storylines this year (MJF and OC)

Focused on characters growing from their previous personas ,instead of just hitting the "switch".

I think AEW should just accept that niche, try to write more around growing characters instead of just playing heel/face switches and sudden betrayals.

[Nosnorb]

I agree 100 percent. It has been a joy to watch Toni Storm as a jaded Hollywood actress, and to watch Roddy Strong continue travelling a path that leads to drinking out of a doggy bowl beneath the main feasting table in the halls of Bitchhalla.

[Kalmia]

There is another one bubbling underneath as well with Omega's losing streak. So far in AEW, Callis has been right and all of Omega's success has come from having someone in his corner (Callis, Hangman, the Bucks etc.) Can he go it alone and get back on top?

[Bo Rida]

I'd go further and say that's what all wrestling should be focused on. The quality of wrestling is high across most promotions, very few wrestlers can stand out with just their in ring skills.

So the majority that aren't those select few should focus on character to stand out. Especially in aew where the main advantage is several weekly TV shows and a steady roster to achieve that character development with.

Cash keep going against his team's philosophy and trying flips against the Young Bucks is just the sort of thing they can build on but it's never followed up.
Danielson being angry with BCC losing two stable war matches is another perfect chance.

[HMARK Center]

Honestly, them being more interested in just having characters clash rather than making people flip face/heel all the time to suit a given matchup is part of what drew me to the promotion in the first place.

They'll obviously still do betrayals and whatnot, but I appreciate they're not afraid to do face vs. face or heel vs. heel sometimes, and that a lot of their most successful character beats do get some pretty good build over time, e.g. how long the hints were out there that Callis was going to turn against Kenny.

Just allowing people to be whatever characters they are and not get too caught up on the face/heel dynamic unless the situation calls for it is just a smart thing, for my tastes, at least; it shows confidence in your characters and faith in your audience to know they're allowed to cheer whomever they want. It lets some guys change how they're working depending on who their opponent is, allows for more tweeners, and again it lets the focus stay on character rather than alignment, which is I think is a huge key to compelling matchups.

[Deleted]

LU wrote IMO at least the modern book of how wrestling should be today.

And of course what I mean is a strong focus towards character and story because the wrestling is always going to be there and those that can do it at a really high level are going to do just that.

Of course this comes with the caveat I always go back to which is AEW , WWE can't go ham the way LU did simply because LU as creatively structured was so wide open creatively they could do anything , where as AEW , WWE are grounded in reality and we have seen when they go beyond that it does not work at least not as something that could be taken seriously at all (lookin at you Texas chainsaw match and the Fiend character).

I mentioned yesterday I really enjoyed that LFI vingette they did because it was strictly outside your typical wrestling norms even if the quality is not on par with what LU put out but still more of that is needed.

What LU did so well was not always having your usual heel and face turns but instead all the talent's actions were dictated by situations they found themselves in and loved the morality play of leaving the audience to choose who to side with.

[kingoftheindies]

Does anybody else think that part of the reason the character development is working better is that the announcing has just gotten better as well? Like I don't mean announcing was poor (though there had been growing pains) but more that the announcers are actually calling attention to subtle things that have been missed in the past or at least not drawn too.

Like I'll compare OC's International title reign to Cody's initial TNT title reign. The idea was supposed to be a Knightfall like story (though I also kind of thought Cody may be a Rocky 2/3 story where Arn was giving Cody "easy" opponents) but the commentary didn't really build up on the reign or the intricacies for Cody whereas they've spent months talking about OC being injured.

[HMARK Center]

Sept 4, 2023 11:19:30 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

Does anybody else think that part of the reason the character development is working better is that the announcing has just gotten better as well? Like I don't mean announcing was poor (though there had been growing pains) but more that the announcers are actually calling attention to subtle things that have been missed in the past or at least not drawn too.

Like I'll compare OC's International title reign to Cody's initial TNT title reign. The idea was supposed to be a Knightfall like story (though I also kind of thought Cody may be a Rocky 2/3 story where Arn was giving Cody "easy" opponents) but the commentary didn't really build up on the reign or the intricacies for Cody whereas they've spent months talking about OC being injured.

At least to some degree, I think so; I try to give JR, for example, more leeway than a lot of other people do (I think his super dry sense of humor comes off as bitterness to many), but he's not going to call those small details out the way that Excalibur does, and Taz and Tony are quick to "yes, and..." with Excalibur's observations. Plus Taz, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel all do solid "here's why they're doing this particular move" analysis, and that can tie into the in-ring stories nicely.

[Bo Rida]

Sept 4, 2023 11:19:30 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

Does anybody else think that part of the reason the character development is working better is that the announcing has just gotten better as well? Like I don't mean announcing was poor (though there had been growing pains) but more that the announcers are actually calling attention to subtle things that have been missed in the past or at least not drawn too.

Like I'll compare OC's International title reign to Cody's initial TNT title reign. The idea was supposed to be a Knightfall like story (though I also kind of thought Cody may be a Rocky 2/3 story where Arn was giving Cody "easy" opponents) but the commentary didn't really build up on the reign or the intricacies for Cody whereas they've spent months talking about OC being injured.

It seems like there's been some effort to improve how the overall presentation to help wrestlers. Promos have mostly been better lately, videopackages including the use of footage from other companies, entrances and as you say commentary all contribute.

Yet there's other things that defy any logic, maybe changed plans and backstage issues have played into that though.

I'm hopeful there'll be less of a feeling they're stuck ina holding pattern in the coming weeks and months.

[4real]

Sept 4, 2023 10:48:50 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

I agree 100 percent. It has been a joy to watch Toni Storm as a jaded Hollywood actress, and to watch Roddy Strong continue travelling a path that leads to drinking out of a doggy bowl beneath the main feasting table in the halls of Bitchhalla.

We need a Roddy & Toni segment together with them drowning their sorrows over a few drinks.

[Doo Doo Dickhead]

I've said it before (a lot of the time in the NXT thread) that I still appreciate great wrestling matches, but they're just added bonuses for me now. Stuff like what Better Than You Bay Bay, Toni, The Bang Bang Gang and Roderick Strong (can't believe I'm saying that) are doing now is what really excites me most.

[Nosnorb]

Sept 4, 2023 14:30:37 GMT -5 Doo Doo Dickhead said:

I've said it before (a lot of the time in the NXT thread) that I still appreciate great wrestling matches, but they're just added bonuses for me now. Stuff like what Better Than You Bay Bay, Toni, The Bang Bang Gang and Roderick Strong (can't believe I'm saying that) are doing now is what really excites me most.

Storm, MJF and Cole I expected to be great this year, but never thought that Roddy Strong would absolutely kill it at character work, nor the Ass Boys joining a Stable that has Juice and Jay White and making it even better.

[The anti-ratings Luddite]

I wonder who's helping and "coaching" guys with their promos?

AEW has plenty of charismatic personalities, but someone back there is doing character tweaking and producing for these segments to make the most out of everything.

If you'd have told me that "Crazy Film Noir Actress Toni Storm" would be a thing a year ago, I'd have called you crazy. If you'd have told me that Roderick Strong, of all people, would be a hilarious character as "Adam Cole's jilted ex-best friend", I'd have had you committed.

Some talent getting over was just a matter of polish. The Ass Boys always had smarmy douchebag energy as heels that's just the jelly to the peanut butter that is the Bullet Club.

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2023 10:39:54 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Two of their most successful storylines this year (MJF and OC)

Focused on characters growing from their previous personas ,instead of just hitting the "switch".

I think AEW should just accept that niche, try to write more around growing characters instead of just playing heel/face switches and sudden betrayals.

Agreed Toni Storm has done a complete 180 for me...I was convinced she was just stoned on air for the last like 3 years so this new character is freakin great.

[kidkamikaze10]

I will always hate these discussions because we continuously act like stories can't be told in the ring. Those same storylines we love are also great because they infuse their characters into the in ring work.

Like, what do you think wrestling matches are there for?

[kidkamikaze10]

Sept 5, 2023 10:00:03 GMT -5 The anti-ratings Luddite said:

I wonder who's helping and "coaching" guys with their promos?

AEW has plenty of charismatic personalities, but someone back there is doing character tweaking and producing for these segments to make the most out of everything.

If you'd have told me that "Crazy Film Noir Actress Toni Storm" would be a thing a year ago, I'd have called you crazy. If you'd have told me that Roderick Strong, of all people, would be a hilarious character as "Adam Cole's jilted ex-best friend", I'd have had you committed.

Some talent getting over was just a matter of polish. The Ass Boys always had smarmy douchebag energy as heels that's just the jelly to the peanut butter that is the Bullet Club.

Despite my complaint, I agree with this. Someone backstage is getting people to add more facets to their characters. Both in and out of the ring.

[Dub H]

Sept 5, 2023 11:31:16 GMT -5 kidkamikaze10 said:

I will always hate these discussions because we continuously act like stories can't be told in the ring. Those same storylines we love are also great because they infuse their characters into the in ring work.

Like, what do you think wrestling matches are there for?

Did anywhere at any single point say they weren't using matches for that? It's pretty obvious OC's character growth was mostly shown in ring. I didn't think I needed to specify that.

[Bo Rida]

Sept 5, 2023 11:33:04 GMT -5 kidkamikaze10 said:

Sept 5, 2023 10:00:03 GMT -5 The anti-ratings Luddite said:

I wonder who's helping and "coaching" guys with their promos?

AEW has plenty of charismatic personalities, but someone back there is doing character tweaking and producing for these segments to make the most out of everything.

If you'd have told me that "Crazy Film Noir Actress Toni Storm" would be a thing a year ago, I'd have called you crazy. If you'd have told me that Roderick Strong, of all people, would be a hilarious character as "Adam Cole's jilted ex-best friend", I'd have had you committed.

Some talent getting over was just a matter of polish. The Ass Boys always had smarmy douchebag energy as heels that's just the jelly to the peanut butter that is the Bullet Club.

Despite my complaint, I agree with this. Someone backstage is getting people to add more facets to their characters. Both in and out of the ring.

It's not just the content but presentation. Mjf and Cole doing things away from the arena, Statlander doing squats with Renée, Cole reading from his phone, shoe throwing etc.

There's more props too but not sure if that's directive or just people inspiring each other, it's not like it's the first time someone has used a neckbrace or painting but they're more common at the moment.

[Viking Hall]

At the risk of repeating myself, but this is exactly what attracted me to The Gunns initially too. They knew that at this stage in their careers they weren't going to be considered the best, and so they leaned into their characters and what emerged was a genuinely engaging and sellable act. They knew what people's opinions were of them, leaned into it and turned it up to 11 and their careers will benefit from that for years to come.

[Nr1Humanoid]

Sept 4, 2023 12:24:20 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

Sept 4, 2023 11:19:30 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

Does anybody else think that part of the reason the character development is working better is that the announcing has just gotten better as well? Like I don't mean announcing was poor (though there had been growing pains) but more that the announcers are actually calling attention to subtle things that have been missed in the past or at least not drawn too.

Like I'll compare OC's International title reign to Cody's initial TNT title reign. The idea was supposed to be a Knightfall like story (though I also kind of thought Cody may be a Rocky 2/3 story where Arn was giving Cody "easy" opponents) but the commentary didn't really build up on the reign or the intricacies for Cody whereas they've spent months talking about OC being injured.

At least to some degree, I think so; I try to give JR, for example, more leeway than a lot of other people do (I think his super dry sense of humor comes off as bitterness to many), but he's not going to call those small details out the way that Excalibur does, and Taz and Tony are quick to "yes, and..." with Excalibur's observations. Plus Taz, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel all do solid "here's why they're doing this particular move" analysis, and that can tie into the in-ring stories nicely.

Lord Alfred Hayes was always so good at this.