AEW Lacks Star Power: A Critical Analysis

During the January 5th, 2024, episode of Wrestling Uncensored, co-hosts Dave Simon and Johnny North discussed various aspects of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), touching on several key topics and speculations but honed in on the glaring fact that AEW lacks star power that Dave tweeted about while watching this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

Read Dave & Johnny’s thoughts on the Road to Wrestlemania, also from this episode.

Discussing the point that AEW Lacks Star Power

1. Chris Jericho’s Absence: There was a focus on Chris Jericho’s absence from AEW programming, other than a backstage appearance with Renee Paquette on this week’s AEW Rampage, with discussions about him potentially being under investigation and speculation on what this meant for his future appearances​​​​.
2. AEW’s Current State and Direction: Dave Simon expressed his thoughts on the current state of AEW, noting that he liked certain wrestlers like Swerve, Hangman, and Christian but felt that the overall appeal of the show was limited. He highlighted that parts of AEW programming felt empty and bare because, evidently, AEW lacks star power, mainly when key wrestlers like Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson were absent​​.
3. Sting and Darby Allin’s Record: The discussion included Sting and Darby Allin’s undefeated record in AEW and whether this would continue or lead to a significant match, possibly even Sting’s last match
4. ​​Potential AEW Champion: Johnny North discussed who could be the next AEW Champion, suggesting building towards a meaningful title change rather than rushing it​​.
5. AEW’s Need for Star Power: Simon noted the need for segments featuring top stars like MJF, Kenny Omega, Brian Danielson, and CM Punk to boost AEW’s appeal​​.
6. Sasha Banks Joining AEW: There was speculation about Sasha Banks possibly joining AEW, with Dave Simon mentioning that Fightful reported AEW as the likely landing spot for her. This led to a broader conversation about AEW’s women’s division, touching on recent additions and potential signings, the need to build up characters and storylines, and the impact of popular figures like Toni Storm. The hosts expressed a cautious optimism about the division’s direction, highlighting the importance of star power and audience engagement in its growth and success.​​.
7. Deonna Purrazzo’s Addition to AEW: Dave Simon commented on Deonna Purrazzo joining the AEW Women’s Division. He acknowledged Purrazzo as a solid addition but expressed doubts about her ability to impact the division’s popularity significantly. Simon noted that even in her home state, Purrazzo’s appearance did not generate a considerable reaction from the audience​​.
8. Toni Storm’s Popularity: Johnny North highlighted Toni Storm as the most popular figure in the AEW Women’s Division. He suggested a potential matchup between Purrazzo and Storm should be built over time rather than rushed into the next pay-per-view event. North emphasized the importance of developing characters and storylines to enhance the division’s appeal​​.
9. AEW’s Current State and Direction: Dave Simon expressed his thoughts on the current state of AEW, noting that he liked certain wrestlers like Swerve, Hangman, and Christian but felt that the overall appeal of the show was limited. He highlighted that parts of AEW programming felt empty and bare, mainly when key wrestlers like Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson were absent​​.
10. Future Matchups in AEW: There was a mention of upcoming matches in AEW, such as Sting and Darby Allin vs. Takeshita and Will Hobbs and discussions about FDR’s matches​​.
11. Adam Cole and The Undisputed Kingdom: Dave Simon mentioned Adam Cole and his new group, The Undisputed Kingdom, addressing the departure of MJF from AEW. He highlighted how Cole’s storyline centred around MJF being a narcissist who had negatively impacted AEW. Simon suggested that if MJF never returns, it could be a significant loss for AEW​​.
12. Jack Perry (Jungle Boy) as a Heel: There was a brief mention of Jack Perry’s (formerly known as Jungle Boy) character development and how the AEW crowd might receive him if he returned as a heel​​.
13. Impact of MJF’s Absence: Simon emphasized the importance of MJF to AEW, noting his absence as potentially devastating. MJF was a necessary component of AEW’s shows, and his departure could leave a noticeable gap in the promotion’s star power​​.
14. Need for Major Stars: Simon pointed out that AEW desperately needed segments featuring its major stars to maintain viewer interest and momentum. He specifically mentioned the need for appearances by MJF, Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Brian Danielson, and CM Punk. These wrestlers are seen as essential to drawing audiences and creating engaging storylines​​.

Dave and Johnny’s discussion indicates that AEW lacks star power and might be facing a critical juncture where key wrestlers’ absence or reduced presence could significantly impact the promotion’s appeal and success. This situation highlights the importance of building a deep roster of compelling characters and storylines to ensure the promotion’s resilience against the absence of individual stars.