AEW has as soon as once more discovered itself in scorching water.
Tony Khan’s firm pushed the boundaries {of professional} wrestling on Saturday, because it produced one of the violent pay-per-views in its history. One spot specifically was seen as notably harmful and graphic.
Shortly after beating Jack Perry to retain his AEW World Heavyweight Championship, Bryan Danielson was attacked by the Blackpool Fight Membership, with John Moxley trying to suffocate him with a plastic bag. That stunt has solely been pulled two instances in mainstream skilled wrestling, first between Rick Aptitude and Terry Funk and second between Lance Archer and John Moxley for New Japan Professional Wrestling.
Throughout a current episode of “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray defined why Vince McMahon was so strict on the kind of weapon used throughout a match. Ray additionally defined how such a spot may result in points amongst a youthful viewers.
“Vince didn’t need any weapons used that could possibly be deemed common home goods,” Ray stated. “Vince didn’t desire a baby to have the ability to watch Monday Night time Uncooked or Smackdown or any WWE programming and see them use a weapon they might discover of their home and go use on their little brother, their little sister, or anyone in school. So I may see anyone who could also be allowed their kids to observe AEW who’d be like, ‘I’m upset as a result of my 10-year-old noticed the plastic bag spot after which instantly went into the kitchen and took a plastic bag and put it over his brother’s head.’”
AEW has been accused of making an attempt to earn followers by way of “shock issue” wrestling, leaning on harmful spots for fast thrills that earn on-line virality. Whereas moments just like the one involving Danielson could be nice for pushing a storyline and making an affect, the danger they run with the youthful fanbase is not value it. Wrestlers are position fashions, in spite of everything.
Khan and AEW’s artistic workforce should discover a center floor. Their violent and intense model of wrestling is what units them aside and what attracts the older era of wrestling followers. Nevertheless, they’ve crossed the road on a number of events over the previous yr, which runs the danger of alienating a few of their fanbases and pushing them towards their rivals.
Being a challenger model is hard. Till AEW finds a wholesome stability, will probably be open to criticism from all corners of the wrestling business.
