5 Harsh realities about AEW that nobody wants to talk about

All Elite Wrestling has taken the world by storm. Despite being a company that has only been around since late 2018/early 2019, they've managed to establish themselves as WWE's biggest threat since WCW. They are constantly challenging WWE by adding big players like Jon Moxely in AEW roster.

Obviously, it's too early to say anything, but the fact that AEW's shows sell out in 15 minutes or so only means that they're getting an increasing amount of traction. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that the demand for tickets for AEW ALL OUT was even more than WrestleMania 35.

There's no doubt that AEW is quickly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, especially given the financial backing they have in Tony Khan. However, one must remember that we're still very much in the honeymoon phase.

We just want to make it clear that we fully hope that AEW succeeds in every possible way because it's the best thing that can happen to professional wrestling. However, we've noticed that people are only looking at the rosy side of things and ignoring the harsh realities. Here is a rough reminder as to what people don't want to talk about with regards to AEW.

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#5. They're still in the honeymoon phase

The backstage reaction to Jon Moxley

In latest WWE NEWS, this is a key thing to remember. AEW is still very much in the honeymoon phase, which is why things are always going to seem good and rosy. They haven't been around long enough to see the rough times and fans instantly seem to take that for granted.

This isn't to say they can't overcome it, but all the hype they have at the moment has only been fuelled further because of the fact that they're still in the whole honeymoon period. It's almost like the first few months of a relationship.

#4. They hype isn't going to stay consistent forever

Jon Moxley made Double or Nothing an even bigger event

As mentioned, AEW is in the period where its hype is at its biggest. This isn't to say that they can't create bigger hype, because we fully believe that they can. However, one must remember that following Double or Nothing, the main part of the hype had to do with the fact that Jon Moxley debuted with the company.

There's not going to be another Moxley-type of debut for a while and AEW did set the bar very high at Double or Nothing...perhaps a little too high for their own good? When the follow-up shows don't have the same kind of ending, fans might instantly want to compare it to Double or Nothing and there might be a sense of slight disappointment.

However, AEW's real test is going to be when the hype dies down. And believe us, that will happen at some point.

#3. They still need to draw in casual fans

Will Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega help draw in casual viewers?

Vince Russo may be one of the most unstable public figures in wrestling, but there's one thing that he's said that still stands true to date - WWE's biggest advantage is the casual fan base and that's one that needs to be catered to more than people realize.

Sure, we as fans on the internet probably fall under the "hardcore" category and WWE will somehow always have that core audience no matter what. AEW perfectly appeals to the larger hardcore fanbase who does pay money. And that fanbase is a vital one to have.

But what's more important? A casual audience. So far, WWE is the only wrestling company in the world that has a larger casual fanbase and AEW is far from reaching there. In order to succeed, AEW needs to do everything to rope in a huge casual fanbase, mainly comprising of families.

#2. Not every WWE superstar can sign with AEW

Shawn Spears was one of the first to jump ship

Here is the issue that most of you reading would likely have been thinking about. Now that there's this whole period of frustration, low morale, and disarray within WWE, it's been reported that there are a lot of superstars who want out of their contracts.

Thanks to AEW's instant success, WWE isn't granting people their release requests anymore. Even with fans, whenever they talk about an underutilised superstar, the first sentence is "They should go to AEW".

One must understand that AEW can't, nor should they sign every WWE talent that leaves the company. There's no point in building the company around former WWE stars who didn't cut it or were frustrated. That would be going down the TNA mid-to-late-2000s route and it would be a big mistake.

Sure, having stars like Moxley is great, but not every WWE superstar can sign with AEW.

#1. It's going to take years to reach WWE's level

AEW won't compete with WWE just yet

Here is the biggest thing that fans need to realise about AEW. Due to the instant success that they've had, fans instantly think that they're the second coming of WCW or could be a more successful one after looking at WCW's mistakes.

However, the truth is that AEW is not anywhere close to being on WWE's level nor will they be for years to come even with the same level of success that they have. Admittedly, their TV deal and success so far looks promising, but in the short run, they need to look at how they can be profitable in their own right without having to constantly take shots at WWE or acknowledge them.

With that being said, we once again reaffirm that on a personal level, we would love for AEW to succeed and hope that they do so because it's exactly what the wrestling business needs right now. And their competition with WWE might be the one of the reason that AEW Fyter Fest is much awaited upcoming event in sports world.