4 significant backstage changes WWE must make to ensure victory over AEW

Newest All Elite Wrestling signing Jon Moxley, formerly Dean Ambrose in WWE, had a lot to say about the creative process at Vince McMahon's company. None of the things he had to say reflected positively on the world's biggest sports-entertainment company.

The most recent AEW show, which was called Double or Nothing, had pro wrestling fans from all over the world excited. Jon Moxley was a big reason for that as the ex-WWE World Heavyweight Champion, who was clearly re-energized and re-inspired, made his company debut after the show's main event between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega.

If Double or Nothing was any evidence to go by, AEW is going to provide some stiff competition for WWE - even though they claim that they're not competing with the sports-entertainment juggernaut.

In order to ensure that AEW doesn't take over as the top company in the industry, Vince McMahon and WWE will have to make some significant changes in their approach. Here are the four biggest changes they need to make to ensure victory over the new, upstart wrestling company.

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#4 Stop being stubborn with the audience

While there is a narrative that pro wrestling promotions should always give the fans what they want, that isn't always the best way to do things. This is simply because it makes things far too predictable and it allows unpredictable outsiders to dictate what goes on within the company.

But when the majority of your paying audience tells you loud and clear that they don't want to see something, changes become essential, no matter what the short or long term storyline ramifications end up being.

In short, they absolutely cannot afford another Roman Reigns-like situation where the top guy is someone who the fans don't want to see in that spot. Because if they do, they might end up forcing their most loyal fans to give AEW a shot.

#3 Wins and losses must matter

Now this doesn't mean that WWE has to go all-in with a win/loss record like AEW is reportedly planning on doing, but they cannot continue to go forward with their 50/50 booking style.

Even though Vince McMahon views WWE as sports-entertainment, the reality is that the majority of his audience views his company as a sport where the match is the most important element.

During the Attitude Era, Vince McMahon and WWE were incredible at making every main event level character seem like a legit contender to be the top man in the company, so they're clearly capable of creating a roster full of wrestlers who are over.

Even though a strong character can make up for a lot for any Superstar, it's pretty hard for even the strongest of characters to have to find an excuse for losing at least 50 percent of their matches.

#2 Long-term planning

If this year's WrestleMania card was any indication, WWE is constantly changing their plans, and over the years, it's really hurt their ability to tell long-term, compelling stories.

When things are being changed on a daily, and at times, hourly basis, it makes it difficult for the audience to follow along. In short, if management can't even make sense out of the storylines they're writing, then how is the talent supposed to present a compelling story?

Of course, in time, we'll see how All Elite Wrestling goes about planning their weekly television show. But, at least as of right now, one would expect them to have at least a few long-term stories planned.

Having long-term plans that are occasionally adjusted based on how the audience is reacting will do more for WWE over the long haul than what their current system is, which pretty much calls for daily changes that are based on one man's unpredictable impulses.

#1 Give talent more creative freedom

As we've seen from former WWE stars such as Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes/Goldust, Chris Jericho, and now Jon Moxley/Dean Ambrose, a company giving leeway to their talent when coming up with their characters and storylines is a good way to ensure that you're getting the most from everyone on the roster.

When Moxley made his debut in AEW over the weekend, he looked re-inspired and rejuvenated, which was a far cry from how he looked during his last few months in the WWE system.

If there's one thing that Moxley and the WWE fans agree on, it's that Vince McMahon's creative process and micromanagement of everything needs to change.

Essentially, WWE probably won't want to have the reputation that it already might have when AEW debuts their weekly television show, which is that it can, at times, be a toxic, creatively stifling environment.