That's awesome! I can't wait to go see a live wrestling show again.

Wrestletix reports tonight show is SOLD OUT for Fyter Fest (4,600 seats)

I like Brian Cage but Ricky Starks getting to brag about being the V FTE champion seems like a great opportunity to give him more TV time.

What exactly are you asking? Are you asking me what I think AEW should be doing differently or what I think their fans should be doing differently? Because either way, having fans in attendance or AEW touring has little to nothing to do with anything you just quoted from me outside of the concept of live fans hijacking shows. That same pandemic happened across the street to WWE as well, and they didn't tour or have live fans.

On the whole, for AEW, the "they're new" thing is wearing pretty thin as an excuse. Two years is a decent enough time to at least get the concept of writing and booking up to snuff. With the minds they have backstage, there's no reason why overall it should be as bad as it is, but I'd imagine it has to do with criticisims being met with the "yeah, but..." thing Lance Storm talked about TNA telling him when he was asked to critique shows by RoH and TNA talent.

For the fans, again, the reason why they aren't hijacking shows is because they're already getting shit they want.

Outside of that, please don't fall into this "any criticism of AEW is just hating" mindset. "It's been good" is relative. For both companies. Hell, for every company worth mentioning.

Lol, my interest in wrestling is dipping even lower. How can anyone care about this shit? Ooh, the Best Friends have a protege! Nothing matters. Who honestly gives a fuck about all this stuff just happening?

AEW catering to a bunch of mouth-breathers who are embarrassing to be around is not a good thing for wrestling as a whole. This is the problem ROH had too. There aren’t enough hardcore wrestling nerds left to sustain business on their own. Yet wrestling promotions are doing their best to make sure that they’re the only ones who are going to watch this shit.

What exactly has been bad?

The shows commit the same cardinal sins as the WWE, by and large.

-Storylines that don’t go anywhere.

-Matches that aren’t important.

-Bad comedy segments.

-Booking so that anyone that feels special very quickly becomes “just another guy.”

What are you talking about? WWE hasn't tried to generate new fans in a decade.


What stupid shit?

You can’t honestly believe that the WWE hasn’t wanted to generate more fans. You can argue about their ability to do that, but they definitely want a healthy enough base to, you know...exist.

They aim for that average yank. They have big international markets too. You can argue that this homogenization of their product is bad, but they have specifically set themselves up in an attempt to be wrestling’s version of Disney. Their success at that is debatable. Their bottom line is fantastic. How relevant they seem to be in culture is not.

But AEW is no more relevant. It has no more fans. It’s fans aren’t more high-brow or desirable from a marketing standpoint. A high percentage of them are obsessive, and they’re probably less likely to come from a regular slice of American life. The WWE product’s engagement might not be the most intelligent and stimulating of conversations, but their overall reach and popularity is just much...better. It feels way more “normal” for wrestling fans to be WWE fans and just like shirtless Roman Reigns beating everyone and shit.

As far as AEW’s stupid shit goes: The Dark Order still exists. How anyone can defend it at this point, when it’s been there and been awful since the beginning, is beyond me. They’ve fucked up Adam Page. They’ve fucked up Cody Rhodes. They’ve fucked up MJF. They’ve fucked up FTR. They’ve fucked up Christian. They’ve fucked up Team Taz. They let Matt Hardy do things. They give Chris Jericho freedom to follow his worst instincts. Orange Cassidy and Joey Janela have jobs. Michael Nakazawa, Brandon Cutler, Festus and Karl Anderson are featured in the top heel faction. “69 me, Don” is an actual line that was uttered on AEW television.

The show is embarrassed to be actual pro-wrestling. They philosophically can’t admit to themselves that’s what they do, so they have this ironic disposition in relation to it. “You can’t say we’re fake if we’re obvious about being fake.” They don’t realize how that makes them worse. There’s no fidelity to this product. It’s not an honest con. It’s like a preacher telling you that god’s not real, but then still asking for the tithing. It defeats the entire fucking purpose. And that is why you have washed up comedians making Twitter posts about how wrestling is so fucking stupid and if you like it then you’re fucking stupid, and it’s a fair enough gripe even though technically that person is stupid for thinking they even TRY anymore. But it doesn’t matter. It’s not going to absolve them of any stank.

Wrestling without the wrestling part is even worse than wrestling to people, and AEW thinks they can get around that.

It’s laughable how every belt in this company is a world title. Even something as stupid as the FTW Championship. Last I checked, they’ve barely done shows outside of Florida. The IWGP US and IMPACT titles have more credibility than the AEW World Championship.

I’m asking what you think they should be doing to grow their audience.

I like AEW but I’m definitely not above criticizing it. But in a time where literally almost every business is stalled because of a global pandemic, I don’t think it’s fair to criticize them for not growing beyond their current fanbase.

If in 3-6 months they’re still where they are, then I will totally agree with you.

3-6 months is not a long time at all. Nothing will/can change in that short a time.

They aren't trying to get new fans.

No wrestling company is trying to get new fans. No wrestling company has tried to get new fans for a decade.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The performative hatred of AEW is really bizarre. It’s almost to the point where people look for reasons to bury the shows without actually watching it.</p>&mdash; SoberWrestling (@SoberWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoberWrestling/status/1415739098057388036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Interesting Read

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So, for the non (or lapsed) wrestling fans, I'm going to explain why this guy is at the centre of the greatest, most agonising, most wholesome pro-wrestling story in years. And it's a story that's about to hit the home stretch. <a href="https://t.co/8RMOYMKXJr">pic.twitter.com/8RMOYMKXJr</a></p>&mdash; Chris Brosnahan (@ChrisBrosnahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBrosnahan/status/1411638991343042562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They STARTED a stable rivalry with a War Games match. You can definitely legitimately criticize their storytelling.

I wholeheartedly agree with this criticism. Many wrestling pundits have taken WWE to task for not ending feuds after HIAC.

Wow

I figured they would drop against the NBA Finals, good for them

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Dynamite last night on TNT was watched by 1,025,000 viewers on average and 518,000 (a 0.40 rating) among viewers aged 18-49.<br><br>��Read more details and analysis: <a href="https://t.co/XvxVirTMiO">https://t.co/XvxVirTMiO</a> <a href="https://t.co/iWbkHIShqN">pic.twitter.com/iWbkHIShqN</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1415768846565355526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Dynamite tops 1 million live and same night viewers last night (1.025M). Tops Raw's 18-49 male demo. Also 0.40 adult 18-49 demo. More at <a href="https://t.co/b30cDz6YY1">https://t.co/b30cDz6YY1</a> later. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDynamite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDynamite</a></p>&mdash; Pro Wrestling Torch (@PWTorch) <a href="https://twitter.com/PWTorch/status/1415767923059212294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Their storytelling is HORRIBLE. That apologist basically contradicts themselves in their defense of it, but AEW gets to have its cake and eat it too.

And that’s not an interesting read. It’s a wanky fanfic swoon piece that picks and chooses what part of the narrative told it wants to keep canon. If Kenny Omega is such a great wrestler and “the best” or whatever, then why does he need to cheat to keep the belt? And if the story is about Adam Page believing in himself, why was he such a confident character earlier? It’s a bad story, told bad.

People have been saying that since the start. There’s always some excuse to not be honest about this show’s performance. There’s some carrot to chase and postpone criticism, whilst being “totally honest about it” the whole time, of course.

Bingo.

And I think that is where a lot of AEW Apologists miss the point of any and all criticism. AEW had a chance to be something different and new. Instead they try to act like a continuation of WCW and an improved NJPW, when they come off far more like Impact and WWE.

AEW was hyped as a serious and more sportslike show, and then they gave us some of the most ridiculous gimmick matches and over the top characters that would have made 1980's WWE fans shake their heads with nonbelief.

How can they attract any new fans with what they are presenting? This is a setting where Dinosaurs, Aliens, Pandas, and Zombies all exist. Where an announcer is sporting a lucha mask, where they perform gymnastic chronographed dance routines in place of actual matches, and where they BOTH have YouTube shows where the wrestling matches count, and a YouTube show that is a wink wink joke at the entire thing. Where they both portray a wrestler as a Wildman from the jungle AND the son of a famous actor.

Wrestling fans can ignore this and find entertainment because we have been accepting nonsensical stuff like this for years.

You get somebody to tune in who is not a fan of professional wrestling, and they see a sparkler show, or painted cardboard, or a fall into a hot tub of Orange Juice match, they sure arent getting hooked, they are gonna snark at it and change the channel.

AEW is good for what it is, but for what they promised and could have been, what they delivered and what the are is why they are not attracting any kind of outside Audience.

that is aplace made foe boxing wrestling or mma i am surprised they did not use that place before

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most-viewed quarter of AEW Dynamite last night was 9:15-9:30pm w/ 1,133,000 viewers, featuring the Britt Baker live promo &amp; Sammy Guevara vs. Wheeler YUTA.<br><br>The high for 18-49 was 8:45-9:00, which included the Omega-Adam Page angle.<br><br>��Full breakdown: <a href="https://t.co/Zrjbzz8lUq">https://t.co/Zrjbzz8lUq</a> <a href="https://t.co/t7kifU9CPp">pic.twitter.com/t7kifU9CPp</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1415844081947795456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That’s a nice number. Love AEW. Good job.

Good for them. Hopefully they can keep it up. Having live crowds back and those crowds being red hot certainly enhances the viewing experience.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> Arthur Ashe Stadium show is off to a hot start. 18 minutes in and tickets are almost gone (of what they opened up so far).<br><br>They added 5 sections on the upper deck (332-337) that account for 2,272 tickets. All are just about gone. <a href="https://t.co/yRCOtL75Yu">https://t.co/yRCOtL75Yu</a> <a href="https://t.co/tzL3AMWWCb">pic.twitter.com/tzL3AMWWCb</a></p>&mdash; WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleTix/status/1416039942522818562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The thing about selling out places like the Arthur Ashe stadium is that AEW can show the printout of the ticket sales to other venues that might be on the fence about hosting a non-WWE show or even Pro Wrestling in general. Also, other venues might take notice &amp; offer AEW dates</p>&mdash; SoDuTw (@SoDuTw) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoDuTw/status/1416040485156794372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Goddamn the prices on ticket master are absurdly expensive

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">People legitimately spend their limited time on a spinning rock doing shit like this? Truly, truly fascinating. Sooo many people view a wrestling company like they’re a loved family member and “defend” them. Why in the hell so you care?</p>&mdash; BigBuse (@BigBuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBuse/status/1416121867463761928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm glad I was able to get face value Ashe tickets in the pre-sale, well plus the ass plundering Ticketmaster fees of course.

They'll have a big crowd BUT they seem to have fucked up by insisting on doing a stage. Could've had a whole extra quarter of the building open.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam (final update for the day)<br>Wed • Sep 22 • 7:00 PM<br>Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing, NY<br><br>Available Tickets =&gt; 1,999<br>Estimated Capacity =&gt; 17,164<br>Tickets Distributed =&gt; 15,165 (88%)<br><br>A very good day for AEW.<a href="https://t.co/yRCOtL75Yu">https://t.co/yRCOtL75Yu</a> <a href="https://t.co/TslT5YCvH5">pic.twitter.com/TslT5YCvH5</a></p>&mdash; WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleTix/status/1416200365419204616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Clearly fake, AEW is terrible just ask some guy on the internet…

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Read how AEW will sell over 50,000 tickets in September <a href="https://t.co/UJDDE2TpnC">https://t.co/UJDDE2TpnC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TwoManPowerTrip?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TwoManPowerTrip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleTix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WrestleTix</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wrestlenomics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjohnpollock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamjohnpollock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HeelWillMahoney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeelWillMahoney</a> <a href="https://t.co/wFfRgQsbSj">pic.twitter.com/wFfRgQsbSj</a></p>&mdash; Lavie Margolin (@Laviemarg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Laviemarg/status/1416106888446500878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm not even sure which one of the tweets he is complaining about.

Framing a lie like it's an accomplishment or needing to point out something that trivial.

Pretty sure it’s directed toward the guy who freaked out because he saw something that could be considered positive about AEW and desperately went into defensive mode and came up with a ridiculous retort so he could sleep at night.

A very rare occurrence that certainly never happens on TPWW. I can see why you’re puzzled.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is what pro wrestling is all about. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewSouth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewSouth</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DarkOrder?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DarkOrder</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/X?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#X</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hayden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hayden</a> <a href="https://t.co/kGfRvPypTu">pic.twitter.com/kGfRvPypTu</a></p>&mdash; Pres10 (@Pres10Vance) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pres10Vance/status/1416865378429513729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I just like the stock.

Freaked out? He was pretty levelheaded. He even qualified his statement. He certainly didnt throw around terms like "mental gymnastics".

In fact now I do know which tweet the third guy is mad at, the one that pointed out a an incorrect statement made, which drove him into rage Cultist mode about something " truly truly fascinating " and how dare somebody be so loyal to a wrestling company like it is family, while smugly doing the exact same thing.

stop having fun over there!!

“Rage cultist mode”, he says.

Eh, I'm with xrod on this. Guy might be guilty of trying to flex his obscure wrestling match knowledge, but nothing in his post indicates he's upset or even trying to defend wwe.