How To Make AEW Great In 2020

Though only making a splash through a few pay per views in 2019 and AEW Dynamite debuting on Wednesday nights in early October, there is no question that the All Elite Wrestling promotion has made a splash out the gate.

But if you are a loyal watcher like myself then we also need to be completely honest with ourselves when assessing the product in its entirety. There have been really great things about the product so far.

Chris Jericho for starters reinventing himself as he closes in on age 50 continues to shock fans week after week with legendary promos that impress.

AEW has a really talented roster with the likes of Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes for starters.

But there his also the bad.

The Dark Order? Really? Sure I enjoy the vignettes. But in the ring? I do not care. Guess many others do not as well. Go ahead. I dare you.

Here’s my number one gripe with AEW. Maxwell Jacob Friedman. Affectionately known as MJF. Arguably their diamond in the rough that’s yet to be molded in a big way. He needs to be on television pretty much every week. It is understandable that much of their established talent such as Kenny Omega and Young Bucks are trying to get guys over by almost burying themselves. I get it. But MJF is by far the one with the most potential to do it big for the next decade in this business. The second best heel in the company behind Chris Jericho is a good place to be in. Time to expose that

They do not want to fall into the same mistakes that destroyed WCW (World Championship Wrestling) by 2001. And believe me it wasn’t just that the WWE and Vince McMahon crushed them by the end of the millenium. WCW destroyed themselves. Bloated contracts from guys more than past their prime who did not give a shit about anything but themselves. We do need to mention names. They’ve been put on blast publicly for the last two decades.

But AEW has an opportunity. A fresh roster of talent that is hungry for a chance. A women’s division that needs loads of help. But you can see the potential.

Also time for a second belt. An equivalent of the WWE’s Intercontinental Title.

To me it’s simple. More television time for MJF. Make me care about Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks. The women’s division needs to matter more.

That said, their first episode of 2020 this past week is a great place to start. Arguably their best episode since debuting on television in October.

Can AEW capitalize?

That is the million dollar question.