The potential is there for AEW to be really good IMO.
But I do think they need to try to keep things a bit more simple.
Their product really shines in 1:1 matches, and in 2 vs 2 tag matches. Focus on storylines and fueds where they give the talented wrestlers the time to tell a story in the ring and through promo. When they do that the product is really good.
Where I think they tend to fall down a little is when the let the product and matches bloat.
Too many triple thread or 4 man matches, too many 3-4 team tag matches, that end up turning into more of a spot filled match with big set pieces that are labeled and take too long to set up.
Part of it is necessary to build some of the factions up and have some of those storylines. But stuff like the three team tag match at forbidden door was unnecessary - FTR and United Empire could have had a great tag match, and really I feel like Roppongi Vice was unnecessarily put in the match.
I don't think it's a coincidence that Orange Cassidey vs Ospreay was the match of the night, it really was the only key match that was 1:1 where they guys were given time to tell a story in the match.
(Omega vs Tanahashi was 1:1 too I guess but really I don't think anybody was super excited for that and the outcome seemed pre-determined).
|