I think the overarching issue and reason that AEW gets a different microscope (justifiably or not) is because they put the target on themselves by saying they'd be adding the element of realism by creating records and making wins matter.
They took shots at their competition in smashing a throne with a sledgehammer, referencing how they have more freedom than they did in the other company, and saying that at least moves were being botched on both channels (most of these are Cody's doing).
WWE is Floyd Mayweather. AEW is Conor McGregor (during his rise).
Folks recognize Floyd’s longevity and talent for exploiting the game, but they questioned the credibility of his reign due to lack of competition.
Conor made a lot of noise by talking a lot of shyt and actually backing it up early on. All In was the Aldo KO and All Out was the Alvarez KO.
Dynamite’s debut is McGregor getting his boxing license and signing to fight Floyd. The on-air shots from Cody and Jericho are the press tour leading up to the fight, and the first few weeks were the opening rounds where some thought, “Floyd IS old and Conor's landing a lot...."
However, it seems at times that AEW forgets what their goal is in the grand scheme of things is. They're acknowledging a ratings war with WWE's developmental when they’re trying to compete with the WWE as a whole. In other words, this is a 12-rounder.
Ideally, this isn’t a case of who finishes the other and we just end up with two great companies (that’s what I’d want), but all that carrying on in the beginning is how we got here with these Stan wars and Wargames/SS/The Rise of Ripley are Floyd coming alive while the last Dynamite was the signs of Conor gassing late.
They’ll recover though. Oh, and Impact is Nate Diaz.
they have no identity?
