My Frustrations with AEW/ What went wrong?

Well, the results from AEW’s All Out post show fight is basically final and clear where the fanatical Tony Khan stands. The joke that All Elite Wrestling should be called All Friends Wrestling is perhaps true after all, from the beginning I have been and still am hopeful that this would be a true and legitimate alternative to WWE while being a place where people could go for national exposure.

 Now while it has fulfilled that to a degree it’s been more exposure for the bad, awful, and Indy-riffic stuff that can embarrass the sport, industry, and presentation of professional wrestling so here are a couple of takes I have on the current status of AEW.

Tony Khan: Now I was going to save this for last but decided to start at the top with good ole Tony Khan. The hyperactive, hyperattentive, friendly, independent wrestling loving super fan that is Tony Khan did what all of us passionate, intelligent, dedicated wrestling fans wish we could do but don’t have his father’s money and resources to make it come true and started his own wrestling promotion or perhaps live action figure federation.

While Khan’s passion is relatable and commending, his judgement, lack of experience to do this for real (Not write down like we all have done at some point in our fandom), and ability to be easily influenced by people pretending to be his friend and be liked by all has led us to this current state of AEW. It’s clear Tony listens to and wants the approval/friendships of Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and everyone’s favorite wrestling “journalist” Dave Meltzer has led to a lot of things that they be the downfall of this when it’s all said and done.

Everyone involved in the All Out post-match fight/drama are wrong from those fanning the flames of rumors and innuendo (Meltzer), to the jealously whether personal or professional towards star CM Punk, to the lack of structure (Tony Khan), to the overall divide backstage with the roster (The Elite clique vs Chris Jericho vs Everyone else) led to that disaster happening on labor day weekend and could be the thing that leads to CM Punk their biggest star to date walking away after coming barely a year ago.

Which all falls at the feet of Tony Khan is cleared biased to the Elite (Bucks, Omega, and friends), influenced by Jericho who is probably politicking this whole mess and Meltzer who clearly loved the Elite, AEW and anything anti-WWE (Look at his work folks) may begin a negative thing with the promotion where the trouble makers, disruptors and pals or favorites of Khan are being rewarded.

Don’t believe me then explain how Sammy Guevara’s presentation recently after being not one but TWO public altercations behind the scenes with wrestlers Eddie Kingston and Andrade El Idolo was not only unpunished but very prominent on AEW TV being in multiple main events and feature spots while Kingston & Idolo have not been seen. Despite Guevara’s talent may have some reason for that, but the perception is as long as you invite the boss to your wedding and take pictures you can get away with murder.

That is not enough for you then how about have how quickly the controversial EVPs were backstage at TV either while an alleged outside investigation was concluding or was over. Recently there have been little video packages hinting at the “removal” of the Elite from AEW, but all accounts say and point to an inevitable return of the Elite going forward.

Just in case that wasn’t convincing enough then maybe the appearance of Colt Cabana at last week’s Dynamite episode to faced Jericho for the ROH title could be viewed as a childish, petty, shallow “F-you” to Punk only makes the situation worst and much more childish than it was before. Clearly certain inmates run the asylum at AEW and unless Tony wakes up, takes control, and puts rules, standards, consequences in place this hopeful promotion will not be around for long.

CM Punk:  So sorry for that essay on Tony Khan but just had to say, now we go to one of my favorites who deserves some blame in CM Punk. Punk was and probably still is a major commodity in the wrestling world after sitting out for 7 years Khan did the unthinkable and brought Punk back to wrestling in august of 2021 which was a massive shot in the arm for AEW.

By all accounts Punk generated and was the reason for some of AEW’s greatest achievements business and financial wise but the locker room, junior high school cafeteria environment that has been fostered in AEW led to this all happening and frankly should not have gotten that far or out of hand like it did. Now Punk is known for not being everyone’s favorite person and not well received by certain people (which is evident here) but Punk and his leadership skills or aspirations are from a good place, but Punk’s opinionated ways and approach simply clashed with the “different” AEW locker room with certain groups and people now the good ole element of jealously and you got what happen Labor Day weekend.

Going over what happened or didn’t happen or who started it all has been done to death which honestly doesn’t matter because it was horrible look for the company and those involved but if this is the end of Punk’s tenure in AEW not only is it disappointing but it is a mark on Punk’s image as well as paints him negatively which some of that is his doing with that particular approach and reaction to everything did not help matters but hopefully this not the end of Punk in wrestling because there is something left.

Dave Meltzer: We now get to everyone’s favorite and beloved wrestling “Journalist” that everyone wants his blessing/approval from in Dave Meltzer. Let me get this out of the way by saying when it comes to having knowledge of wrestling history Meltzer is one of a handful of people I listen to and take seriously (Him, Jim Cornette, Tim Hornbaker and David Shoemaker) BUT when it comes to the coverage or reporting on the current product I am not a fan because his obvious, disgusting and prominent bias towards certain promotions and wrestlers plus his crystal clear “Anti WWE” slant and view does not make him credible with me in that regard.

Meltzer has been a massive supporter and cheerleader of All Elite Wrestling because his favoritism towards Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Chris Jericho and like some of the internet wrestling community Meltzer is desperate for something to challenge, uproot or surpass WWE in any way possible instead of being a healthy, separate entity in Pro Wrestling not competing with WWE. Meltzer’s reports on certain things told to him played a vital part in this whole mess which hopefully will be an eye opener for him, his leaks/sources, and everyone else to not feed into or aggravate situations as well as have an unbiased and fair take on their product could make Meltzer have a more professional presentation, creditability and form of journalism especially if he truly wants this to succeed.

The Elite: Last but not least we come the infamous, notorious, and polarizing group that is The Elite. Made up of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks the Elite took the wrestling world by storm in the mid 2010’s and has cultivated a following throughout the years. The circle grew as well with the grown swell buzz of the small promotion based in southern California PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla) started where the Elite made their home and gave a platform most of the future/present day AEW and WWE rosters. Now not everything was good that came from PWG (That’s a different blog for another time) but one of good things that came from PWG was the interaction or friendship between Tony Khan and The Elite that was crucial in the creation of All Elite Wrestling for good and for bad.

Now the Elite have talent, but their reputation has been well documented as a clique that looks out for themselves, their friends, undercut competition or threats to their position and of course think highly of themselves and influences on today’s product which again is good and bad. But this reputation has or is turning into something true since the start of AEW with the presence of certain talent on TV over other more talented pieces, their office positions as executive vice presidents, to the perceived outing of Cody Rhodes and now possibly CM Punk.

This has the Elite in not good standing with some wrestling circles, fans and personalities who believe the Elite only care about themselves and their version of what wrestling should be over doing what is best for business could or has begun to bite them in the rear and maybe the thing that causes this all to fall and die sooner than later.

Now I’m sure this will come off like a massive anti AEW, Tony Khan, Dave Meltzer hit job of sorts, but I promise you it is not! This is me expressing my frustration, disappointment, and aggravation with this entire situation and how it has been mishandled, but I truly do hold out some form of hope that everything shakes out and turns around to be a true, legit, and respected alternative for wrestlers to go but also be something us wrestling fans can be proud of and support in completing a good variety of Pro Wrestling someday.