AEW is beginning to regain some traction. Earlier this yr, Tony Khan employed Jennifer Pepperman, a former WWE writer, whereas QT Marshall additionally returned to the corporate. These two additions have slowly helped set up some robust storylines inside the firm’s TV product.
In response to Tony Schiavone, who appeared on the “What Happened When” podcast, AEW’s turnaround is because of a number of roster members rising as homegrown stars all year long.
“It’s vital for a promotion to make its personal stars, and I believe AEW is,” Schiavone mentioned (h/t to Fightful for the transcription). “With MJF, like him or not, with the Younger Bucks, with Hangman Adam Web page, who to me goes to be an ideal freaking heel, holy sh-t, and with Will Ospreay, who clearly grew to become a star with New Japan Professional-Wrestling, however I believe it’s an thrilling time as a result of we’ve obtained stars. Swerve Strickland is one other one. We’ve obtained stars that we’ve made in AEW, and I believe that’s the key to any good firm.”
Typically, AEW has been accused of relying too much on former WWE talents. Nonetheless, in latest months, its homegrown staples have taken up a lot of the airtime.
Since his return from harm, MJF has consistently been gifted time to carry out in-ring promos. Will Ospreay can also be being given the identical courtesy. The storyline with The Younger Bucks as EVPs has been a staple that has steadily bubbled away as long-term storytelling.
Whereas the presence of John Moxley, Brian Danielson and Chris Jericho has helped set up the corporate, it is the homegrown stars who’re pushing the TV providing ahead. AEW followers have watched these wrestlers develop. Even Swerve Strickland, who’s the AEW champion, seems like a homegrown star regardless of his tenure with WWE.
AEW feels prefer it has begun to show a nook after a tough stretch earlier this yr. It has its younger and thrilling core to thank for that. The homegrown stars are the driving pressure behind that resurgence. For an organization that has grown exponentially over its first 5 years, having a robust steady of homegrown stars bodes very nicely for the longer term.