would it be a stretch to say despite AEW’s “huge” acquisitions, their momentum is waning??

[THE 101]

Problem with the recent big signings is they've just not did anything with them that's very interesting. People sometimes act like the difference maker for WCW was signing Hall and Nash, but it was what they did with them that made people tune in every week. If they had just signed Nash to come out as the big new guy and challenge The Giant to a match then the shyt would've flopped. It's like AEW think the signings are enough. When you have to book interesting angles.

I'm not saying their booking is bad. It's actually pretty good, sensible, logical old school booking. But it's becoming clear that Khan doesn't really have ideas beyond just recycling some classic wrestling tropes. And that's going to create a ceiling in how big the promotion can be.

And the use of Punk is damn near WWE esque incompetence. Starts off hot with a big debut and match and then all the momentum just completely derailed. Just done nothing with him.

But saying that they're still in a great place with their ratings and live crowds. It's just Meltzer and Alvarez got too giddy and oversold to the fans how close AEW was to WWE, so it's created overexpectations for what AEW should be doing business wise. This is why doing over a mill in ratings for Dynamite feels like an L, when it obviously isn't. Fans need to just reset their expectations and just be happy with AEW being a strong #2 promotion. Stop trying to relive the monday night wars and just enjoy the product.

 

[Larry]

I just wanna clarify a few things that have been reiterated throughout the thread and purposely misinterpreted over and over…


We’d all agree AEW is doing fine. It’s growth from point A to point B has been steady and will continue. That isn’t what’s in question and never has been. AEW is doing better than probably even they themselves envisioned .


That, however - IS NOT what this thread is about…


I am questioning if the momentum of the big “game changing” acquisitions have stalled - from the moment Punk walked in the door to now, and for the moment that seems to be yes. It seems they peaked in interest directly afterwards and have since come back to down to earth.



I am arguing that AEW’s organic growth would have them in THIS position as is, without any of the 3. They were already hovering around the million mark once NXT kicked rocks, they were already selling out shows. The “game changing” acquisitions, at least at this point, don’t really seem to have changed much of anything.



now maybe I’m jaded and I’m either COMPLETELY overstating AEW’s organic growth, or downplaying the effect Bryan, Punk and Cole had… if that’s the case, let me know.

 

[RammerJammer]

I just wanna clarify a few things that have been reiterated throughout the thread and purposely misinterpreted over and over…


We’d all agree AEW is doing fine. It’s growth from point A to point B has been steady and will continue. That isn’t what’s in question and never has been. AEW is doing better than probably even they themselves envisioned .


That, however - IS NOT what this thread is about…


I am questioning if the momentum of the big “game changing” acquisitions have stalled - from the moment Punk walked in the door to now, and for the moment that seems to be yes. It seems they peaked in interest directly afterwards and have since come back to down to earth.



I am arguing that AEW’s organic growth would have them in THIS position as is, without any of the 3. They were already hovering around the million mark once NXT kicked rocks, they were already selling out shows. The “game changing” acquisitions, at least at this point, don’t really seem to have changed much of anything.



now maybe I’m jaded and I’m either COMPLETELY overstating AEW’s organic growth, or downplaying the effect Bryan, Punk and Cole had… if that’s the case, let me know.

I get what you’re saying but what do you suggest that Punk, Bryan, and Cole do? Punk, I agree, it’s time to get him in a real feud and cause it’s kinda past the honeymoon phase now, Cole is in the Elite for now, and Bryan is pretty much doing what he’s been doing most of his career, putting on great matches.

Also, they just got there a little over a month ago, give it time, if they put the World Title on em right now people would say they’re burying their homegrown talent or relying on WWE guys.

 

[NoMorePie]

I think AEW will reach new heights when they start merchandising to kids a bit more.

Once that happens, do you think the smarks will start to bash AEW? thinking that the product is being watered down because they're catering to kids?

 

[Reality Check]

I am questioning if the momentum of the big “game changing” acquisitions have stalled - from the moment Punk walked in the door to now, and for the moment that seems to be yes. It seems they peaked in interest directly afterwards and have since come back to down to earth.

I am arguing that AEW’s organic growth would have them in THIS position as is, without any of the 3. They were already hovering around the million mark once NXT kicked rocks, they were already selling out shows. The “game changing” acquisitions, at least at this point, don’t really seem to have changed much of anything.

now maybe I’m jaded and I’m either COMPLETELY overstating AEW’s organic growth, or downplaying the effect Bryan, Punk and Cole had… if that’s the case, let me know.

The momentum from the signings was eventually going to slow down as people get settled, that's just a fact. If for whatever reason Punk, Cole, and Danielson were completely washed, then there should be red flags raised, but so far that hasn't been the case. The new car smell might be wearing off but it doesn't mean the car is dying.

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

Thecoli as a whole really needs new blood but this site was abandoned a long time ago we’re all we got brehs

*Cues Onyx- Last Dayz*

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

At least we all can agree that Meltzer needs to be nailed to the fukking cross

Also snacks...we love those snack threads

 

[Larry]

I get what you’re saying but what do you suggest that Punk, Bryan, and Cole do? Punk, I agree, it’s time to get him in a real feud and cause it’s kinda past the honeymoon phase now, Cole is in the Elite for now, and Bryan is pretty much doing what he’s been doing most of his career, putting on great matches.

Also, they just got there a little over a month ago, give it time, if they put the World Title on em right now people would say they’re burying their homegrown talent or relying on WWE guys.

Honestly I don’t think there’s anything they can do to push AEW’s growth any quicker


The product is fine. No issue there. Growth isn’t even an issue, they’re doing fine..


I think the “game changing” aspect of the acquisitions was just overstated, and with guys like Meltzer and Alverez pushing blood bath narratives like the tides were changing, it underdelivered.

 

[SpacelySprockets]

Once that happens, do you think the smarks will start to bash AEW? thinking that the product is being watered down because they're catering to kids?

I hope they dont think relying on strictly adults to buy their video game is gonna help sales

 

[dh86]

Honestly I don’t think there’s anything they can do to push AEW’s growth any quicker


The product is fine. No issue there. Growth isn’t even an issue, they’re doing fine..


I think the “game changing” aspect of the acquisitions was just overstated, and with guys like Meltzer and Alverez pushing blood bath narratives like the tides were changing, it underdelivered.

The game changing aspect is beyond debate. Tony Khan showed current and future media partners that there’s wrestling post Vince McMahon. He knows how to build up fan anticipation for a destination event, even if those events are only weeks apart. CM Punk is someone Fox has wanted on its network for years, now to get him, they have to make a deal with AEW. It’s possible now. CBS/Viacom is dipping their toe in the water with WOW. That isn’t a coincidence. The true value of Punk Bryan Cole will be shown when the new TV deals come. The last tv deal changed what WWE is and their outlook for the next decade. I’m sure it’s AEW primary focus now, making the money spent on talent worth it.

 

[R=G]

Gargano character wise is average, but in the ring he's>Brian Danielson. I don't care how that sounds. Gargano in the ring is really what yall claim Brian Danielson is. And it's not because WWE style...Gargano was wrestling "WWE style" and it look like got an unlimited moveset in them Takeover matches. Danielson come out there doing them kicks for 15 minutes.

Danielson had 5 star matches in 2006..lol. u can't be serious.

 

[Larry]

The game changing aspect is beyond debate. Tony Khan showed current and future media partners that there’s wrestling post Vince McMahon. He knows how to build up fan anticipation for a destination event, even if those events are only weeks apart. CM Punk is someone Fox has wanted on its network for years, now to get him, they have to make a deal with AEW. It’s possible now. CBS/Viacom is dipping their toe in the water with WOW. That isn’t a coincidence. The true value of Punk Bryan Cole will be shown when the new TV deals come. The last tv deal changed what WWE is and their outlook for the next decade. I’m sure it’s AEW primary focus now, making the money spent on talent worth it.

Appreciate the actual well thought out response and actual reasoning

So basically we realistically won’t even know the answer to this question until possibly years down the line is what you’re saying.. and that honestly makes sense

 

[8WON6]

Danielson had 5 star matches in 2006..lol. u can't be serious.

and...lmaoooooooo

 

[NYChase718]

It's a flop cuz Tony Khan gassed it too much

 

[Oville]

Once that happens, do you think the smarks will start to bash AEW? thinking that the product is being watered down because they're catering to kids?

Like I said, they dont have to go super chilish. Just have a one hour show with that cuts down on blood and cussing. Jurassic Express should be toys toys ans merch like crazy. Darby as dark as his character is can as well. Sammy Guevara, Lucha Bros, Thunder Rosa. All those acts would be super attractive to kids