AEW began the brand new 12 months with a bang, including a number of massive names to its roster. Nonetheless, the additions have not had the specified impact. The corporate’s tv rankings proceed to drop whereas its in-arena attendance is changing into a severe trigger for concern.
A part of these points may be positioned firmly at Tony Khan’s toes as a result of firm’s well-documented issues with booking over the past six months. Comparatively, WWE’s vastly improved product has continued to attract followers again to its programming.
This is a have a look at how every of AEW’s big three additions has carried out over their first six to eight months with the corporate.
1. Will Ospreay – A+
Ospreay formally joined AEW in November, however remained with New Japan Professional Wrestling to see out the ultimate few months of his contract. His debut as a part of the full-time roster got here on Feb. 28. Since then, Ospreay has gone from power to power, quickly proving himself to be a number one star of the corporate. His high-flying skillset, when coupled along with his charisma and fearless method within the ring, have seen him develop into an prompt hit with the followers.
The English-born star is now gearing up for a match with MJF at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 28, when the 2 largest names in AEW will compete for the AEW Worldwide (American) Championship. After hitting the bottom working and establishing himself on the high of the roster, Ospreay has clearly been a home-run addition to the corporate.
2. Mercedes Mone – D-
Mone debuted in AEW at Huge Enterprise in March. Since she’s one of the standard names in girls’s wrestling, there was hope that she may assist usher in a recent new crowd of followers and set up AEW’s girls’s roster as one of the best within the enterprise. Nonetheless, a sequence of uncharismatic promos and a few underwhelming in-ring performances have left loads to be desired from the big-money addition.
Regardless of being a serious title, Mone is not getting the “pop” from the gang that many had anticipated. Until she will flip across the present trajectory, she may show to be a pricey mistake for AEW and discover herself languishing in mid-card territory.
3. Kazuchika Okada – C+
Okada is a legend in Japan. He was the face of NJPW for over a decade. But, since becoming a member of AEW, he is been utilized in extra of a spot function. Khan shortly ensured Okada gained a championship belt earlier than tasking him with being a 3rd wheel with The Elite. We hardly ever see him performing on the degree that made him such an thrilling expertise in NJPW. Proper now, it seems like his tenure within the firm has but to take off.
As soon as once more, poor reserving selections are costing AEW. Okada is meant to be an enormous draw for diehard followers and the worldwide viewers alike. They need to see him working within the ring, not dropping one-liners on the finish of uninspired promo segments. Not like Mone, Okada’s malaise is not his fault. He may nonetheless emerge as a big-time addition to the roster, however for that to occur, issues have to vary.