AEW began the brand new 12 months with a bang, including a number of huge names to its roster. Nonetheless, the additions have not had the specified impact. The corporate’s tv scores proceed to drop whereas its in-arena attendance is turning into a severe trigger for concern.
A part of these points will be positioned firmly at Tony Khan’s ft because of the firm’s well-documented issues with booking over the past six months. Comparatively, WWE’s vastly improved product has continued to attract followers again to its programming.
This is a have a look at how every of AEW’s big three additions has carried out over their first six to eight months with the corporate.
1. Will Ospreay – A+
Ospreay formally joined AEW in November, however remained with New Japan Professional Wrestling to see out the ultimate few months of his contract. His debut as a part of the full-time roster got here on Feb. 28. Since then, Ospreay has gone from power to power, quickly proving himself to be a number one star of the corporate. His high-flying skillset, when coupled together with his charisma and fearless method within the ring, have seen him grow to be an on the spot hit with the followers.
The English-born star is now gearing up for a match with MJF at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 28, when the 2 greatest names in AEW will compete for the AEW Worldwide (American) Championship. After hitting the bottom operating and establishing himself on the high of the roster, Ospreay has clearly been a home-run addition to the corporate.
2. Mercedes Mone – D-
Mone debuted in AEW at Massive Enterprise in March. Since she’s one of the crucial standard names in ladies’s wrestling, there was hope that she might assist herald a recent new crowd of followers and set up AEW’s ladies’s roster as the most effective within the enterprise. Nonetheless, a collection of uncharismatic promos and a few underwhelming in-ring performances have left quite a bit to be desired from the big-money addition.
Regardless of being a serious identify, Mone is not getting the “pop” from the gang that many had anticipated. Except she will be able to flip across the present trajectory, she might show to be a expensive mistake for AEW and discover herself languishing in mid-card territory.
3. Kazuchika Okada – C+
Okada is a legend in Japan. He was the face of NJPW for over a decade. But, since becoming a member of AEW, he is been utilized in extra of a spot function. Khan shortly ensured Okada received a championship belt earlier than tasking him with being a 3rd wheel with The Elite. We not often see him performing on the degree that made him such an thrilling expertise in NJPW. Proper now, it appears like his tenure within the firm has but to take off.
As soon as once more, poor reserving selections are costing AEW. Okada is meant to be an enormous draw for diehard followers and the worldwide viewers alike. They wish to see him working within the ring, not dropping one-liners on the finish of uninspired promo segments. Not like Mone, Okada’s malaise is not his fault. He might nonetheless emerge as a big-time addition to the roster, however for that to occur, issues have to vary.
