WWE and AEW are two of the most popular pro wrestling companies in North America right now. WWE is the older one, having been a regular part of many fans’ lives for more than four decades, whereas Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling came into existence in 2019.
A majority of the WWE fans would agree that Vince McMahon drove the company into the ground in 2018/19, as far as wrestling storylines were concerned. WWE had a hard time selling tickets, even for premium live events. Back in June 2019, WWE struggled to fill up seats for the Stomping Grounds show.
It was at that time that AEW came around, and the quality of the initial AEW shows was so good that they built a hardcore fanbase quickly. Quite a few Superstars even requested release from WWE to work for AEW because of the lighter schedule and growing fanbase.
However, four years later in 2023, WWE is back to filling up arenas to full capacity, thanks to Triple H’s vision as the creative head. Be it Chicago, Nashville, Riyadh, San Juan or Hyderabad, WWE has made a habit of selling out arenas.
Did AEW push WWE to create a better product?
A popular X user posted an image from Stomping Grounds 2019 and compared it with the latest WWE RAW episode of November 2023. The arenas looked completely different with a lot more fans present to watch the shows live.
Replying to that user, another popular wrestling account on social media, Wrestle Tracker, stated that it was possible only because of AEW. Had AEW not come into existence, WWE would have continued to push meaningless storylines like Bobby Lashley-Lana-Rusev, The Ucey Hot vs Revival and Roman Reigns vs Dogs of War.
The statement drew mixed reactions from other fans on the platform. Here’s how fans reacted to it:
Whether you agree or not, this has happened because of AEW.
AEW in 2019 was much better than WWE in 2019. That forced WWE to step up !
Advertisement— Wrestle Tracker (@wrestletracker1) November 28, 2023
Also, After the pandemic, the product was still relatively bad until Vince retired. After that, WWE went crazy and the rest was history. WWE definitely got better when Vince left.
Advertisement— Squidonis (@AbdirahmanAk17) November 28, 2023
And cm punk was right.. This company better when vincent kennedy mc mahon left 🤣
Advertisement— Aditya Fermanda (@adityahoppus33) November 28, 2023
He also said it was gonna be taken over by his daughter and his son in law. He was spot on until Vince came back and sold the company to Endeavor.
Advertisement— Squidonis (@AbdirahmanAk17) November 28, 2023
and yet they didn't till vince took his vacation last year post pandemic till he left last year wwe was dog water bad still
Advertisement— Shiny Hunter Frontz (@ShinyFrontz) November 28, 2023
100% WWE was unchallenged for too long so they focused on merch sales and advertising. Now that there’s competition they’re focused on the product. Always said AEW would never be 1 because they’d force WWE to widen the gap.
Advertisement— Matt (@MattRicupero) November 28, 2023
I agree with this. WWE will always be #1 but AEW is pushing WWE to be better! they know history can repeat itself(WCW) it's a great thing for fans without a doubt
Advertisement— Mario (@MarioJuradoH) November 29, 2023
And then why has AEWs crowds declined since?
Advertisement— ♤ (@_luvohaya) November 29, 2023
You must've watched a different AEW than I did in 2019 lol
Advertisement— st@tic (@Unbelievabro) November 29, 2023
AEW wasn't better. They were both equally bad when AEW first started. It just seems to like AEW was better because it was something new. My friend showing me an episode of Dynamite early on, is what made me not become a AEW fan because it was so bad. It was like watching bad WCW.
Advertisement— Matt (@JerseySuave4) November 28, 2023
Stop it lol Triple H would be putting out a great product regardless of AEW. the business as a whole is doing well and that's definitely in part due to AEW but fans came back to WWE because the product improved and a lot of that is Hunter.
Advertisement— Michael Hayes (@dembirds) November 28, 2023
