In a recent episode of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, wrestling legend Booker T articulated his thoughts over the apparent lack of excitement around AEW and denied any potential influence that WWE may have had over this.
Highlighted excerpts from his recent podcast include his suggestions on how AEW can boost their popularity and uphold excitement. He commented, “You know what, you’re right. It’s true; there was a noticeable dip in the level of excitement regarding All In. So, what can they possibly do to amp that up? From various discussions on AEW on this show, it could boil down to them needing to change certain things. More than anything, it’s fundamentally about stellar character development and a dramatic narrative. This is precisely why NXT is riding high right now; it is unequivocally an outstanding show. The wrestlers have mastered their roles exceedingly well. AEW has no shortage of wrestlers who can do the same. However, without effective storytelling, the punch of the whole event is lost. This is merely my personal take.”
Further, Booker T rejected any ideas suggesting WWE may be responsible for AEW’s lack of buzz. He went on to say, “You know what, I sincerely don’t think it has anything to do with WWE. The reason behind why they’re not delivering at optimum capacity is nothing to do with them. Their last show garnered some 600,000 views, a number too minimal for a show like this. The figures were higher, and they continue to recede. This indicates even fans believe they’re failing to do something to sustain their motivation, to captivate their attention, and keep them riding the AEW wave. Consequently, it’s crucial for them to make strategic changes. And in my opinion, the overall show structure requires serious rethinking. They could use more assistance.”
Here’s a link to the original podcast episode where Booker T articulates his opinion in greater detail. [embedded content]