In the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has consistently been in the spotlight, not least for its roster featuring an array of former WWE superstars.
Despite having wrestling luminaries such as Chris Jericho, Adam Cole, and Bryan Danielson, AEW finds itself grappling with a challenge – matching the colossal success of its rival, WWE. Wrestling aficionado and WWE legend Eric Bischoff has recently aired his views on this situation, leading to a wave of discussions in the wrestling community.
Eric Bischoff’s Take on AWE vs WWE: Big Names, Little Impact?
The wrestling industry perked up its ears when Eric Bischoff, on his ’83 Weeks’ podcast, raised questions about AEW’s strategy. He pointed out a glaring issue: despite the influx of big names from WWE to AEW, there hasn’t been a significant impact on AEW’s business growth. Bischoff’s candid observation raises an intriguing point about the effectiveness of star power in driving business success in the wrestling world.
WWE’s Dominance vs. AEW’s Struggle
WWE, under Triple H’s leadership, continues to enjoy a thriving fan base and robust ticket and merchandise sales. In contrast, AEW, led by Tony Khan, struggles to keep pace. Bischoff highlighted this disparity, noting that AEW’s audience seems to be dwindling while WWE’s fanbase is on the upswing. This situation poses a critical question: why isn’t AEW’s star-studded roster translating into business growth?
AEW’s Big Names: Asset or Liability?
AEW’s roster reads like a who’s who of wrestling, with names like Jon Moxley, Buddy Matthews, and Christian Cage gracing their lineup. The recent additions of Edge, now known as Adam Copeland, and the legendary Ric Flair, who signed a multi-year contract, further bolster their impressive lineup. However, as Bischoff suggests, this aggregation of talent seems to have inflated AEW’s budget more than its business.
"I believe, and this is my opinion that there is competition between AEW and the WWE, and the competition lies in Tony Khan's head"
"AEW stands on its own, it is its own company, it has carved its niche within the wrestling world"
Bully Ray – Busted Open Radio pic.twitter.com/Ty2r4MYY0W
— Slappa Wrestling (@Slappa_WWE) January 11, 2024
Future Speculations: Sasha Banks and AEW’s Direction
The wrestling grapevine is abuzz with speculation about Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, possibly joining AEW. Such a move could add another layer of intrigue to AEW’s narrative. It also raises a vital question for AEW President Tony Khan: how will he leverage these former WWE superstars to propel AEW forward?
Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for AEW
AEW stands at a crossroads, armed with a roster that is the envy of the wrestling world. The key challenge for Tony Khan and his team is to harness this star power effectively and carve a unique identity that resonates with fans globally. The world of professional wrestling awaits with bated breath to see if AEW can rise to the occasion and redefine its destiny.
