AEW Fyter Fest 2019 - 5 Things we learned from the show

On the heels of the first show technically under the banner of All Elite Wrestling, Fyter Fest had some big shoes to fill. Double or Nothing was seen largely as a success, so much so that it loudly announced that AEW was indeed at the table and more than willing and able to take food from the plate currently at the head of the table.

As DON introduced some Superstars to the mainstream, Fyter Fest continued to introduce new stars like Darby Allin while also showcasing known commodities like the Elite, Lucha Brothers and Jon Moxley.

Since their weekly show still won't air until October, these shows need to be crafted carefully and intelligently. Except for a few things here and there, they've done both of those things. They've maintained their momentum and will continue to do so in two weeks at Fight for the Fallen.

As the Fall approaches, those in charge of putting together the matches and segments will tighten everything up for All Out and the beginning of the run of their weekly show. We learned several things from Fyter Fest and here are five such things it taught us.

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#5 Time limits and records will matter

Time constraints played into the match between Cody and Darby Allin.

Throughout the entirety of the match between Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin, the ring announcer would announce the remaining time left at five-minute intervals. While it was something that had been done with all of the matches, it actually came into play regarding the finish of this match.

Cody was in control for most of the bout but was flabbergasted that he couldn't put the young upstart away. With each passing minute and the announcement of the time remaining, the stakes were raised higher and higher with each man trying to pick up a finish.

In only its second official event, one of the major bouts on the card ended in a time-limit draw. WWE usually pulls that out once a year for a match, but AEW did it in their second show. Just like the time limits, the announcers also put over the records of each wrestler during their matches.

It stands to reason that those with better win/loss records will obviously get more title shots than those with poor records. The only thing that might backfire with that way of operating is if a person is handed a loss in a multi-person match, even if they aren't the one who is pinned. While they didn't win the match, they also didn't suffer the pin-fall. Things will obviously be fine-tuned between now and October.

#4 Superstars with upcoming matches announced are likely to win

The leader of Strong Hearts topped the leader of SCU at Fyter Fest.

With another show just two weeks away, the announcers mentioned regularly that 'this person needs a win heading into their match at Fight for the Fallen'. It didn't happen in just one match but several, like the opening bout of the main card between Cima and Christopher Daniels.

The two continued their rivalry from Double Or Nothing where SCU picked up a six-man tag team win over Strong Hearts. Throughout their match, Excalibur and the other announcers mentioned that Cima was going up against Kenny Omega at Fight for the Fallen. With that simple piece of knowledge, it was highly unlikely for Cima to lose his match. And guess what? He ended up winning.

The same happened with Allie in her match with Leva Bates. While both ladies have yet to have a match, it was constantly alluded to during the match that Allie would be meeting Brandi Rhodes at Fight for the Fallen. They even showed Rhodes backstage watching the match.

When all was said and done, Allie, the wrestler with a match already scheduled, won the match. It was probably predictable even without knowing her next match, but it was something that was done more than once. The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega also won their match because they both have bouts in two weeks.

#3 Shawn Spears will be a heel

For the first time since early NXT, it appears that Shaun Spears will be a heel.

When the former Tye Dillinger signed with All Elite Wrestling, it made sense. He went way back to FCW with Cody and both men were underused at times during their runs in WWE. He appeared at DON in the Battle Royal but was unsuccessful in picking up the win.

He wasn't booked for a match at Fyter Fest, but he certainly made an appearance that had the wrestling world talking about it during and after the show. After Cody and Darby Allin battled to a time-limit draw, Spears entered the ring with a chair in hand.

Before Cody had a chance to react, Spears hit Cody with one of the hardest chair shots in recent memory. Due to the impact of the backrest bar, a gash was opened on the back of 'the American Nightmare's' head, a gash that required 12 staples.

As Spears left the ring, he looked at Brandi Rhodes with a blank stare as she yelled at him. Throughout his time on WWE proper, and for most of his time in NXT, Spears, was a face. He was initially a heel with 'the Perfect 10' gimmick but became a fan favourite when he turned face. It looks as if he will be able to explore his dark side after his attack on Cody.

#2 AEW wasn't kidding about TV-14 and blood

Moxley and Janela delivered a match full of weapons and blood.

While it wasn't necessarily intended, the segment involving Cody Rhodes and Shawn Spears ended with Cody being helped to the back with a huge bloody mess on the back of his head. It makes two-straight shows that he has bled, but according to the Young Bucks in the post-show interviews, it was a mistake and not planned.

Even without the blood, an unprotected chair shot to the head is something that isn't done in mainstream wrestling any more because of the information that has come out about concussions and CTE. AEW wanted to be TV-14 and take some chances and this was one of them.

What was less of a surprise was the violence and spots in the unsanctioned match between Jon Moxley and Joey Janela? Instead of keeping it as part of the main card, the announcers and Justin Roberts announced that the card's main event was the Elite vs. the Lucha Brothers and Laredo Kid.

Simply announcing that made it feel special and that it was a match with higher stakes because it wasn't a part of the show. And after several pieces of barb wire, tables, chairs and thumbtacks were used, it was apparent why it was announced that way.

Janela was the recipient of most of the carnage but as he has proven in the past, he can take a lot of punishment. The match was a precursor of some of the hardcore aspects that AEW might bring to the table on a weekly basis in the Fall.

#1 AEW knows its audience

Cosplaying came into play during the Elite's match at Fyter Fest.

WWE often says that they both listen to and consider what the WWE Universe wants. While that is not something that we have always seen be true to form, AEW has embraced both the audience members themselves and who they are playing to.

The card was a part of the Fyter Fest gaming event, hence why CEO Ceo Alex Jebailey had a match on the card. While he doesn't have the striking ability of Shane McMahon, fans of the Elite know just how much they all love gaming and how they have also incorporated it into some of their moves and promos.

Several gaming-themed spots were also used in the hardcore match between Jebailey and Michael Nakazawa. From two controllers being used to the bag of buttons with Jebailey's face on them, the gaming aspect of the festival was certainly prevalent in some of the card's matches.

Another huge nod to the world of gaming was in the whole costume storyline regarding the Elite. The Young Bucks mentioned in backstage segments that they're gear had been lost, but Omega reassured them that he had back-ups in place.

When they made their entrances for the match, it was hilarious to see both Matt and Nick Jackson dressed up as if they were Ryu and Ken from the Street Fighter franchise. And if that wasn't enough, Omega came out with red hair dye as he 'portrayed' Akuma from the series.

Those little details proved that AEW knows its audience, and if that wasn't enough, it was also cool to see Omega literally interact with fans after the match and take selfies. WWE might want to take a little more notice as to better treat some of its audience.