The Problem with AEW’s Overprotective Booking

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The problem with overprotective booking in AEW.
#aew #aewdynamite #wrestling
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[@tranquiloclub50]

Use my code TRANQ to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: sponsr.is/magicspoon_tranq

[@CaughtColdBoxing]

Really? look at the fucking price. Get real grifter

[@tranquiloclub50]

I also forgot to mention that this tends to affect tournaments in AEW. Brackets are usually filled with midcarders or tag team guys because Tony Khan is too scared to put his main eventers in tournaments and hand them losses.

[@originalhuggies9740]

Which is weird considering how much he is inspired by Japanese wrestling. Aces like NJPW's Okada or TJPW's Miyu Yamashita regularly don't do well in tournaments. It doesn't affect anything outside of it.

[@tranquiloclub50]

@@originalhuggies9740Exactly. A loss in a tournament is the safest loss a main eventer can take. NJPW has proven it.

[@michiganjack1337]

Absolutely. Like I think we all just want Joe vs MJF not a tourney to see if Joe can get to MJF. So either Joe wins the tourney (very predicable) or Joe looses and then we don't get Joe vs MJF.

[@redpandasworld]

And when a top guy loose everyone will blame tony saying he burried them. Logic of western audience

[@elluchadork]

I so so soooo want an elite tournament in Aew. A tournament with all the top stars

[@daveraj2854]

For example take LA Knight, he lost his first feud to Bray Wyatt. But after that feud, more people got to know about him and that feud showed how charismatic he is. He is a megastar right now. So losing does not mean you are a loser but it shows your true potential.

[@VictorNewman201]

Well said❤

[@not_ian5543]

Agreed. It's not as much whether a wrestler loses or not, but how they lose. They can lose and still come across like a credible threat or interesting character, or they can lose over and over again with no progression or real development.

[@Riptide515]

Aew did the same with Ricky stark. But i dont like the constant rematches tbh.

[@cargoshipgaming]

@@HishamXno you don’t

[@joses5292]

​@@HishamXif Eli Drake is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear LA Knight, you know who he is 😂

[@Vidya-James]

This just makes me remember and miss the Ranking system AEW used to have...people actually had to go on win streaks and earn title title shots. Losses dropped people out of contention and they had to fight their way back. Good times.

[@alc6269]

They need to bring this back

[@kaineshigaraki5253]

The ranking system was quickly losing steam, IMHO. Pac was winning more than Darby Allen, but Darby got title shots. That’s when they lost me. [>

[@tonysavage2699]

The ranking system just had people stack wins on Dark to get to the top 5. The ranking system was good, but it didn't let them do the angles the way they wanted to without overmanaging everyone's wins and losses. It became something they had to work around by the end of its run.

[@KairosObj]

Yea but they probably felt this pigeonholed their booking. Now they can sho horn whoever they want into matches /feuds.

[@ajh22895]

Out of curiosity, I have kept track of the rankings. Mainly overall but I will soon update singles. Anyway, Orange Cassidy vs Moxley was 2nd vs 1st in overall rankings.

[@BriantheButcher7154]

I feel like that's the core of the issue with the AEW fanbase. Cody put over Malakai Black heavily after he debuted for the company and the fans basically said "It doesn't matter if he gets a win over Cody". Then Cody went over Malakai in their third match and fans went "Cody is burying Malakai". Fans always assume that losing means getting buried and winning devalues the loser. Guys like Omega and Danielson don't mind putting people over, but then people complain that they're losing too much. Vicious cycle really.

[@schmokehng]

Agreed its a vicious cycle. But just like what he said, “If you try to please everyone, you’ll please no one”. TK should just let the story be what he think would be great for it. People will hate it anyway. But a risk is needed if they want growth or to elevate themselves even more.

[@HarleyQuinnSoldier]

​@@samarai82booking wise I think that's just Tony 1. Doesn't want to piss off the Elite & 2. The elite, the only thing they have in common with the kliq, only want to work with and lose to their friends

[@jmiyagi12345]

Al Snow had a great shoot interview about this very thing when fantasy booking some era of WWE. I remember him mentioning he would have Edge lose to Kane (as he was building Kane up) and he was making fun of the fans “OMG you are burying Edge!” “No, I just need to build a strong monster so he has to win to do that” - he of course had some very colorful language but he was absolutely right.

[@souvikdeb808]

You are right. The booking feels way to overprotective. That's why we didn't have matches like Mox v Cody, Joe v Mox, Cody v Hangman, Claudio v Danielson, Claudio v Malakai, Punk v Cody, Lucha bros v LAX. Yes some of the matches I mentioned are still can happen but booking feels very conservative.

[@lauraaa1985]

@@rif5556That whole feud with The Factory was his idea though. He wanted to elevate those guys. Unfortunately, he just ended up devaluing himself.

[@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819]

Instead, AEW often does Big Names vs. No Name matches, and it does no service to the fans because the Big Names never lose, and the No Names are treated as complete geeks.

[@souvikdeb808]

@@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819 I agree. Very few lower card guys/girls get any elevation. People like AR FOX or Andretti get mini pushes but those are not sustainable enough.

[@00pium_kingvampstan]

Claudio and Malakai put on a really good match in the E at Extreme Rules 2019 highly recommend it!

[@souvikdeb808]

@@00pium_kingvampstan I know. A banger of a 10 minute sprint. Highly underrated.

[@BrentMan88]

The only real gripe I have with AEW/Tony’s booking is not using the entire roster in big tournaments. Like the most recent example is the Grand Slam tournament. This tournament would be the perfect showcase for someone like Mike Santana trying to get his singles career going…or Andrade or Powerhouse Hobbs or Miro or even Kenny Omega or Konosuke Takeshita. TK should take notes from Ohbari and NJPW’s G1!!

[@rakansasas1111]

This current tournament does not make any sense. It is for the most important title in AEW and you have people like Wayne, Berretta or Penta on it. They are very good wrestlers, don't get me wrong, but they are not top talent. Everyone knows that they have zero chances of winning. Imagine a tournament for the AEW championship featuring the likes of Omega, Danielson, Moxley, Page, White, Starks, etc. The REAL AEW potential champions. They are the ones supposed to be there.

[@buddybarlow9604]

And like the recent tournament...you know whos winning it when its dudes like AR FOx and NICK WAYNE who hasn't won a fucking match

[@Jacksiloution]

​@@rakansasas1111I'd love to see a tournament that made the final of danielson omega

[@Punkroklich]

My belief is that all the WWE cast offs who believe they are above "jobbing" to the indie kids.

[@MidBoss2998]

@@rakansasas1111 Yeah sure they could do that, but what would the fights at PPVs be then if you do all the matches on TV with the "real potential champions"? If you have top talent fight each other multiple times a week it takes away from the hype of those top talents having a match. Also this tournament has literally been set up so you can have Roddy and Joe fight MJF, we had multiple promos setting up that story.

[@madeinpoty3704]

You encapsulated what I think about AEW these days. I love the product, but I would like it even more if the big feuds happened. I still haven't gotten over the fact that Tony just didn't book Swerve vs. Keith Lee.

[@sheets75]

Lee has ongoing health issues and is possibly on the verge of retirement. They've been trying to protect him by keeping him out of big singles matches.

[@JohnSmith-fm3bi]

@@AdrianBeegoatzFor a non booker, he has booked the best stuff this century i have seen outside of golden age new japan

[@edenite]

@@AdrianBeegoatz I think you almost got it. Tony is a booker, the same way Dana white is a booker for UFC. He sets up tournaments, #1 contenders, rematches. With the hope that when these personalities get on the mic they can take the story home, or bring the story to life. As an example, MJF vs Punk What Tony isn't - is HHH or Vince, that writes the story throughout. Whats the long term goal? Whats the plans for the winner and loser? We haven't seem that long term story effectively done since Hangman and Kenny and I have a feeling that wasnt Tony, moreso the Elite/Cody writing the story. Hope that makes sense

[@big10omar]

Fuck you just made me angry, I was literally waiting after the random partner tournament for the singles match. It was set up perfectly. Now we have swerve with hang lady which randomly involves the elite as a group now. So no singles feud for swerve

[@randallallgood8661]

But booked Jericho and Lee in the midst of that 🤣🤣🤣🤣 make it make sense

[@Hypno_BPM]

when when AEW has a “squash match” it’s always competitive and 10 min long usually like wtf. Tony’s scared to hurt the local jobbers feelings too 😂

[@randallallgood8661]

That's his way of giving a big name a competitive match to keep you invested... he knows it sucks you gotta watch 1 of your favs face a nobody so he wants you to enjoy the match so you won't change the channel

[@notgonnapay]

@@randallallgood8661that doesn’t make any sense. People want to see their favorite wrestler kick someone’s ass or have a good match with another top talent. They don’t want to see a competitive match with the guy who wrestles at the local VFW hall.

[@metalbudsgaming8371]

pre-covid and post-covid AEW feel like two different promotions. 2019/2020 AEW everything had a purpose. Tightly booked storylines that progressed week-to-week and kept you hooked. The entire show felt *focused* Now it honestly feels like Tony is just drawing names from a hat. The world title tournament is the most random assortment of wrestlers. Put Starks in there! He's red hot after that strap match time for Tony to book him vs Gravity or some bullshit... Hangman and Swerve have started a feud then put them in there have them face eachother in a semi final. His booking is straight up bad now. This is why ticket sales went from 12k on dynamite to like 3k.

[@staalhard666]

Focus left with Cody.

[@Lifelight_]

@@staalhard666Mainstream focus from casual wrestling fans left with CM Punk too.

[@SkullSnax]

Massively agree. AEW are sitting on a lot of big money matches, and while they shouldn't do all of them straight away, it's crazy the amount of these wrestlers who are stuck wrestling jobbers on TV when way more interesting opponents are available and not doing anything. Totally forgetting that a loss can be just as much a driver of story as a win. Redemption, revenge, revolution, all come from losses. I really liked that Toni Storm when she lost her belt to Hayter, turned into a bitter heel, because Hayter and Baker cheated to win and got cheered for it, and Hayter got crowned as a real champion where Storm was just the interim. I like that the Acclaimed losing to House of Black triggered a fake retirement for Billy Gunn and the retirement of "scissor me daddy" for weeks, until he came back for revenge and to redeem their loss and win the belts. I like that Adam Page losing to Jericho and PAC and Omega led to the loss of confidence and alcoholism and making friends and that redemption arc and the world title. I like that every time Mox loses a big match, he always wrestles the same week on Dynamite, takes on somebody and beats them, that "I'm pissed off that I lost and I just wanna go out and beat someone up" mentality. Losses can be fun, interesting, they don't always mean the wrestler is getting squashed or de-pushed or held down. Sometimes losing a match can lead to a bigger push.

[@notgonnapay]

Cody, an EVP, left the company in the first two years. Regal left the company a few months after getting hired. Punk was fired in less-than two years; getting hired as the anti-WWE hero and getting fired as the dangerous ex-UFC shooter who everyone was afraid of even though he threw ‘weird punches’ and ‘couldn’t get Jack Perry in a front face-lock’. All three of these guys get booed now in AEW whenever their names are brought up. Let’s face it: AEW is now PWG with a budget, thanks to the EVPs whispering sweet nothings into Tony’s ear. We were supposed to have ‘sports-based wrestling’, but that left with Cody a long time ago. We even had a good wrestling show on Saturday nights for a few months while the EVPs and the dirt sheets like Meltzer and Alvarez were working diligently to paint the ‘Charles Manson’ Punk narrative: Kicking backstage talent out of his show, telling the talent what they can and can’t do on Collision (like any good booker would), and suddenly losing it on Jungle Boy where Punk - according to Jungle Boy - couldn’t manage to get a front face-lock on him and threw, “really weird and awkward punches that didn’t really hurt.” If those Jungle Boy statements sound truthful to you, I suggest you go outside, maybe find some friends, and meet people in public...because that is a straight-up yarn woven by JB to make himself sound like a badass.

[@demonking5335]

The most overprotective booking is for malakai black for sure 💯

[@randallallgood8661]

He's been there 2 years and Cody is the only 1 Worth mentioning... the match with Penta sucked... they teased him with Omega, Pac and Kingston and we got none... the PAC 1 was really weird because he blinded him so that Match should've definitely happened

[@wrestlingguy5360]

AGREED! One great example of this you didn’t mention is the current Championship tournament where most of them are not Champion material. I also like this video since it’s a rare glimpse of you critiquing the company. AEW is the only wrestling show I watch and I haven’t missed an episode or PPV ever. But when someone such as yourself only ever seems to praise it, it can come across as one sided and unrealistic. I love AEW but it still has many problems. So hearing some of your negative thoughts makes you seem more real and believable when you praise it in future so thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work!

[@vladnistor6737]

This is something that have been bothering me for a while. When I see a card for a Dynamite show I instantly predict how things are going to unfold, there is no surprise almost and all the outcomes are predictable. Maybe the matches are good quality, but predictability kills the drama and the emotional engagement. When Punk got out, I instantly thought… man why didn’t they do 5-6 dream matches with him instead of dragging and dragging things..

[@jmiyagi12345]

You should protect 2 faces and 2 heels. And then cycle them out as necessary.

[@olsen3787]

I love these kinda critique videos because it shows that this channel more than a just Aew fan channel. Some people just confirms whatever their favorite wrestling company doing. It brings more objectivity

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

Exactamundo!!

[@proteeksengupta7961]

Video idea: The departure of CM Punk from AEW (similar to your "departure of Cody Rhodes" video)

[@arezemusic]

I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling this way since Wardlow’s 1st TNT title Run. I can’t say I disagree

[@Gtrwarrior-xq7bh]

Seriously tho, they could have at least done Kenny vs Buddy during the trios feud

[@Baraka_Obama_]

That was a match I wanted so bad 😢 Buddy is definitely underrated he's basically a Australian Omega

[@crteuber3771]

Something that a booker have to consider is the fact that the main event scene are THE CHOSEN FEW, that is a important part that made them fell important and special in comparison with everybody else

[@paulevans6076]

The point you made on momentum is very valid. Ive always thought that TK has his flavour of the month style booking where he shines the spotligjt on someone for a couple of weeks and then moves away from them to showcase someone else - without any plan of what to do with the original person after that. In a way everyone gets a little bit of a chance to shine, maybe it keeps everyone happy when its their 'turn' but it doesnt help them afterwards when they are left to sink or swin. We saw it with Starks original push that fizzled out after his title match wiyh MJF. We saw it with Jungle Boy when he beat Cage in that battle royale and faced Omega for the title. After that - right back to midcard and tag matches. We saw it with Action Andretti - a huge debut againast Jericho, TV time against major names, then... where is he now? Rampage? Wardlow - mega push - huge feud with MJF. TV Champion - lacklustre reign after reign. And now, hes nowhere to be seen. Thats just a few of the names that have suffered from that style of booking. TK would be much better hand picking 3 or 4 guys and saying 'these are the ones that will get the focus' and build around them long term.

[@bigboicomedy2392]

That’s what I feel like WWE has done well. They have their foundation and have their 3 or 4 guys that are stars but that don’t mean the rest won’t have their time like LA Knight and Jey Uso right now

[@zemox2534]

​@bigboicomedy2392 Tell that to Keith Lee. He had loads of potential, but Vince pissed all of that away.

[@bigboicomedy2392]

@@zemox2534 and look at him in AEW not much of a difference

[@omriex7]

You have a point brother, but i think you're missing one importent issue: most of the talent who made AEW in the early years wasn't about being a 'free agaent' - Jericho lost a lot, Omega lost a lot (hell, both of them still loosing a lot this year alone). With the exacption of Danielson, who put people over a gave to company so much from the moment he signed (A LOT more then Punk - not a taunt, just a fact), most of those ex-wwe talent - Miro, Malachai, Andrade - always had a notion about them that if they won't get booked 'strong', they're gonna come back north in no time. The rumer is that this is the reason Miro was so poorly-used this past year - the guys didn't want to put people over! and you can't book a talent like that, no matter how talneted he is. it's not that i don't agree that TK can be bit more bald and give us more main-eventers clashes, but i'm not sure it's exacly his fault. Sometimes you have people who are here to tell stories and wrestle no matter what the outcome for them, and sometimes... well, the business is only for yourself...

[@popcultureasylum7456]

Great video as always Tranquilo. You do bring up a very valid point when it comes to AEW in general. Not to say that the Booking is necessarily bad but I feel like lately myself and I'm sure you and a good amount of other people say "It could've been better" alot And when I hear you say that TK is too busy keeping everybody happy and thinking about how the Punk situation was handled, it really puts into perspective how big of a problem this has really been and I didn't realized how bad it really was til recently. You are 100% right, TK is trying to keep everyone happy and not just on-screen but behind it as well and I think that's TK's biggest flaw. TK is too focused on being everyone's friend instead of being a boss and taking risks and it cost AEW and it's fanbase so much on and off screen and if AEW wants to stay in business for many years and possibly generations to come, TK's attitude needs to change when it comes how he books his product and how he run All Elite Wrestling as a business I'm not saying that TK needs to be like Vince McMahon and rule with a iron fist and be a complete asshole to his employees but you can still be a good person while also be a strict boss/booker as well. In a industry full of egomaniacs, you gotta be able to put your foot down and lay down the law when necessary or wrestlers and employees alike will do whatever they want with belief that their "boss" won't do shit to them whatsoever and/or just give them the slap in the wrist That's all I got to say. Keep up the great work Tranquilo

[@RomnysGonzalez]

I had been saying for years. AEW needs to bring back the ranking system. I'm tired of having random nobodies receiving title shots to protect the main eventers Why THE HELL is Nick Wayne on a title picture tournament? Why is Darby there after losing? Why is Trent Barreta there? Why is Jeff there who haven't fought single matches? I love Penta, but why is he there went he has been losing non stop?. Joe and Roderick for storyline reasons, but the rest? Is embarrassing. This give the tournament 0 credibility and make it stupidly predictable. TK is way too worry and thinking 5 years ahead instead of giving people what they want straight up. Use those guys and put those dream matches to start long term feuds that is gonna be revisited in the years along the line and creating a hyper long rivalry

[@PrimeIsCrime]

This was a great video. Also, can we get a video about Cassidy? He was considered a "Comedy Wrestler" by many critics. But his fantastic run with the international title really elevated both him and the title. I would love to hear your opinion.

[@tranquiloclub50]

Definitely will be working on a vid on Big Orange 🍊

[@leonturner2598]

It may have elevated the title but he……is too much of a slacker (that’s his gimmick I don’t mean the human being) to my liking.

[@ChigoIEbere]

I'd argue that Cassidy has been doing prove yourself matches since like 2021.

[@coolcebolla]

​@ChigoIEbere revolution 2020

[@riqodinero]

​@@tranquiloclub50big orange is great 😂

[@shck104]

Though it makes sense for the main eventers in the early days of aew to jump from one feud to another, it's also a problem because it left feuds with one match and then they go and fight someone else w/ no repercussions and no last effects like mjf vs cody

[@charlieturner4246]

I love Punk as a wrestler but the issues caused by having him around definitely started to outweigh the positives so it is a massive shame he's gone. Hopefully have people like Andrade, Keith Lee and Malakai Black get more screen time now to fill the void.

[@briandelgado4985]

Let's hope. Cause punk was upset for the right reasons but handled it way wrong. But now the place is gonna be wild with no one keeping them in check. Tk has no balls and he's not gonna put any one in line

[@charlieturner4246]

@@AdrianBeegoatz don't think it has anything to do with the man himself and more the fact that they had an extra show to fill

[@fabiopatacchiola5312]

@@AdrianBeegoatzAndrade?

[@GrilliamG]

@@briandelgado4985 What right reasons? And I think your whole point falls apart since Khan fired his favorite.

[@ambientjules]

​@@GrilliamGHe got flown out to a meeting in Georgia with the elite to hash things out, the elite cancelled last minute which was a giant waste of time, then when he gets to London they left him stranded there, he got lost and had to find his own way to his hotel, then when he gets there he sees Jack Perry mouthing off to him to the camera over a situation that CM punk didn't even start, he was asked by management to talk to Perry about the glass spot. I think he ultimately handled it the wrong way but I don't blame him one bit for the mood he was in at the time

[@phantomblitz9378]

Bro do you guys remember whenn darby was on his first tnt runand then mir came detroyed him and went on to have one of the best runs with the TNT title? Big stars feuding with each other or emerging onez is the corner stone of a good AEW moment. Someone needs to send creatove these videos.

[@UncannyEXP]

I think I know why TK does this type of booking. If a top star takes too many losses, people will rightfully call it out just as they would if they win too often. Damned if you do and all that.

[@leonturner2598]

Facts!!!

[@angelynx1prime]

People already wonder why Omega keeps eating losses.

[@fabianmarshall4120]

@@angelynx1primeyea but omega doesn’t ale a loss before kicking out of EVERYTHING in the match so his losses aren’t bad

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Simple answer. Dont fill weekly tv with matches with all the top guys. And get rid of some fucking titles too. Theres like 3 women's titles. No point.

[@the.alphaartist]

This video hit the nail on the head.

[@vin-cc9nk]

I agree completely. AEW needs more one on one main-eventer level feuds without being afraid having one lose. Feuds where it's not immediately clear who's supposed to win or lose. That's what I mainly missed from the last few AEW ppvs.

[@willthethrill2001]

I love your videos and love AEW as they brought me back into wrestling after almost 10 years. It’s a shame at the matches/feuds we lost out on but I think as much as we jump on TK for being to diplomatic and not being an assertive leader (handling the punk drama much earlier) he’s still learning. As much as the tournament line up sucks I’m excited for Joe vs MJF and especially excited for Swerve vs Hangman. Hopefully with a less drama filled AEW the storylines can flourish and either Swerve or Jay White become the next champion (as much as I love MJF)

[@balbomb]

I've had so many complaints recently with AEW that I forgot this was a problem. You definitely nailed it, and please never have tournaments unless you are going to have major names lose and not have predictable finals.

[@SuperDuperHappyTime]

The NCAA Tournament isn't compelling because Kansas, UNC, Duke, UConn, Kentucky, or UCLA are going to inevitably win it. It's compelling because the at the time perceived best teams in the country could eat an absolute shit sandwich to five people who play pickup basketball regularly. It's compelling because those five people could go on an absolute fire streak, give everyone who is better on paper a run for their money, and even bust their way into a semifinal or title match. It's compelling because that team, having the best match of their life, could still lose to any of the blue bloods who, up until the tournament began, had one of their school's worst seasons that could still make the dance.

[@bencubus1814]

I've actually been considering not watching all the weekly TV anymore for this reason. It's just not compelling enough to spend 5+ hrs a week on. The only thing keeping me watching is the potential turn around in storyline development now that Collision is settling in post PPV. We'll see what the next couple of months brings.

[@matthewpelletier6900]

I like how you turned it around at the end. The video was mostly about Tony being too scared to book his guys to lose, but it stands to reason that if he's scared to do that, it's because people have reacted poorly to ideas he's pitched. Everyone is at fault here, not just the wrestlers, and not just Tony.

[@sheets75]

I strongly suspect that a big part of AEW's style is that with all the extra creative freedom at the company, wrestlers are expected to utilize that but many are happy to just collect their checks, so you get this feeling of matches just sort of happening. For every Moxley, Cody, or Jericho who are constantly hustling and coming up with new angles, there are a handful of guys who are waiting to hear who they're wrestling and then just sort of do the match and wait for the next one. Those wrestlers need to understand that Tony isn't WWE and he isn't going to just tell them who they are and what they're doing this week - they need to take that on themselves and work it out if they want to get extra TV time.

[@baseupp12]

​​@@sheets75not every one is a creative individual though the Head Booker should be able to create storylines for these people or have other Booker's under him that can get them involved because at the end of the day it falls on the boss to get the most out of his employees.

[@windycityblackhawks]

So far the booking for AEW has been disappointing. So far all the stars that have come over from WWE make big debuts and then just fade into the background weeks after. No big storylines or anything. It’s getting more & more disappointing IMO.

[@tylongkicks8821]

Agreed unfortunately

[@lauraaa1985]

Not sure I fully agree with this. Did Danielson fade into the background? Did Claudio? Did Toni Storm? Did Adam Cole? Did FTR? Roderick Strong? Did Swerve? Did Samoa Joe? Etc. etc. Most of the ex-Fed hires have been used extensively on TV. There have been some big misses like Keith Lee, but his alleged health issues were responsible for a lot of that. And it was the backstage behaviour of Andrade and Miro that caused their extensive absence from television. Plus, it’s a balancing act, Tony can’t just stuff the shows full of the ex-WWE guys at the expense of the AEW originals.

[@carlosr6462]

I don't care about dream matches, I want them to have a coherent booking with compelling storylines so they can put over their guys with the potential to be stars like Starks, Hobbs, Wardlow, Allin, the Gunns, Juice Robinson, MJF, etc... But Tony keeps doing random multimen matches, 3 ways, random no DQ matches, tournaments filled with midcarders and jobbers, etc... Why is FTR doing cold matches and without a feud? Why is MJF doing sports entertainment segments and defending the ROH tag belts in a handicap match on PPV? Where's Wardlow? Where's Hobbs? Where's Malakai Black and Matthews? Why is Orange Cassidy still pushed like a top star? Why can't Big Bill win a singles match? Why all the storylines are about friendship? Why does QTV still exist? Why the Jacksons can win singles matches but Dax or Cash have to do jobs? Why are the referees not ensuring that the wrestlers follow the rules or at least protect them from their stupidity? Why so many hardcore matches or meaningless blood? Why are the wrestlers acting like teenagers? The product objectively is not good at the moment, sure they have good wrestlers but a lot of people (like me) want to watch a good wrestling show with no forced comedy and good storylines that could be supported with good in ring action, I thought we were all tired of the sports entertainment stuff but the AEW hardcore fanbase always protect and defend the promotion even when they do stupid things the WWE and WCW did in the past that can't be defended.

[@konstantinpobedonotsev5589]

Agreed, though there are notable exceptions, like Danielson tapping out to MJF. We NEED tournaments to be bigger and G1 style. Big matches, big names, and lots of slots for midcard guys to showcase themselves as well. I do NOT understand why Tony doesn’t do this. The Owen Cup was the perfect opportunity. Instead, it’s a humdrum 8-man bracket with fairly predictable outcomes.

[@VigilanteWilliamson]

The issue is back stage everyone is NOT on the same page. I get everyone blames punk but a lot of these guys have heat with each other. There are a lot of egos backstage.

[@notamaniswear4815]

Overprotective booking is one of the reasons I'm not watching AEW like I used to.

[@mdjcsmith]

Really great video. It seems to me that TK had a story mapped out for the first couple of years, now that the story's finished, he's having trouble doing the sequel. Especially seems like the issues you've mentioned, are like mental blocks preventing him from being as inventive.

[@mattpotter114]

I do agree slightly, you make some great points. Kenny did just eat a couple of pins from Takeshita, pushing him to the main event scene. More definitely needs to be done, iI wouldve like to have seen Orange beat Mox but maybe he'll get the win back down the line.

[@Dredagoat30]

Exactly man and it’s crazy Mox hasn’t put anyone over since coming to AEW and had rarely loss he didn’t need the win vs OC

[@coolcebolla]

​@Dredagoat30 yeah idk why people wanted MOX as champ when he's a perpetual main eventer who should always be in the world title scene. OC was doing incredible things with that title and yet again in TK fashion he can't book champions.

[@mattpotter114]

@greenion42 Usually I'd agree with you on the booking but Oranges run was great, the build up on injuries was the story and mox was one step too far. I hope he wins it back later down the line.

[@myam754]

The creator of a big AEW facebook group banned people that criticizes AEW because it greatly affects his mental health. While I understand the sentiment, it also summarizes the AEW fanbase in a nutshell.

[@MyMiniMovieMagic]

Today on Collision we got THREE active open challenges in the same week on the same show: International, TBS and Tag Team champs all cut the exact same promo. Open Challenges are just TK code for enhancement matches nowadays.

[@keepitwolfson]

I think most criticism of aew are vapid and in bad faith but this is a huge problem i wish more people talked about. Always love your videos. I will say we were supposed to get Danielson and Omega at All In but Danielson wasnt cleared yet. I hoping we are stil moving that way.

[@TerrelLism]

AEW's booking for 95% of their matches have no stakes leading into a PPV. It's usually a top star against someone else from another fed who will lose, a match thrown together at last minute, and maybe 1 or 2 with some build.

[@dark_knight_dj]

A lot of dream matches were lost…

[@byronmiles2643]

And Kenny Omega the egoless saint still taking Ls on the biggest stages to help put over other talent. It legit pisses me off but i understand.

[@zaboknowsbest13]

Its not even main event guys. He wont even book his midcard guys for months because hes scared of having to book them to lose

[@FSM_Inferno]

This is literally the only reason (and the bloodline story) why I like wwe more… malaki is too good for trios, jay white is too good for tag team, andrade is too good to not even be on tv, so many other names that’s should be in singles feuds with omega, hangman, hell even Cassidy or Jericho

[@kisaragitown3934]

i dont think tony makes decisions for himself tbh. He claimed he fired punk off of a reccomendation + he doesnt seem like the guy who can say no to things hence why perry probably used glass anyway leading to unecessary turmoil.

[@zemox2534]

A loss does not always mean a wrestler is buried. Wheeler lost to Mox, but he looked strong in defeat. Eddie Kingston is an even better example. He lost msny times, but that only made him more popular. He fought hard and always looked strong in defeat and now he is a double champion. With that said, TK needs to stop with the overprotective booking. Look at Mox. He rarely loses, even in matches where he could afford to lose.

[@Judgementxxx]

The problem with some fans. If their favourite isn't getting an instant title run, they are being buried

[@codemeister1121]

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you say. Contrary to what I say; AEW is perfect the way it is, but there is still some improvement that needs to happen ASAP. This is the main one. Tony Khan is an amazing booker, but he needs to crawl a little more out of his shell and give some top stars a loss or two now and then. There has been improvement recently, to the point that we're finally getting some fresh new matchups, but Khan needs to capitalize on the momentum. I know this will benefit AEW in the long run if he books more of these top stars in matches, without being afraid of giving them losses

[@Simouno]

AEW took 50/50 booking to a new extreme. Even people that had long undefeated streaks like Wardlow and Hook felt flat because they didn't have any signature win under their belt. Tony wants to be friends with everybody and not be a real boss, taking tough decisions when it comes to booking people to lose and therefore nobody gets over

[@hezekiahthomas837]

I couldn't of said it beter myself i just want to see the best fight the best . Kinda like in the g1 climax. We need see top fueds who cares what they think. It makes the show better you want to fill that punk sized hole invest in tiur own

[@Endname343]

You are right ! if you think of it this tournament means nothing at the end of the day we already know that we are going to have Samoa Joe versus MJF . This is a meaningless booking excuse my French really this time…

[@Baraka_Obama_]

Could be Roderick Strong since he's involved with Cole

[@Endname343]

@@Baraka_Obama_ OK this is not an attack or anything but do you think that people would care about a match between MJF versus Roderick strong or a match versus Samoa Joe ? Logically a match versus Roderick strong. Is the right way to go but I don’t think that people would care much about Roderick Strong. I don’t know just a feeling.

[@Baraka_Obama_]

@@Endname343 The disappointing thing is Punk was supposed to be MJFs next opponent but obviously that ain't happening so either Joe or Strong is ok with me

[@Endname343]

@@Baraka_Obama_ yeah you right .. I have PTSD now when people say the name CM PUNK .. I think you can understand

[@DerKomischeTyp]

I'm getting sick of open challenges against undercarders who already had 2 title matches in the last few weeks

[@EdwinAces]

A bigger problem ito me is Tony not pulling the trigger on talent when time calls. Then forcing a moment after they have lost several times and gotten an unearned title shot. Sad thing is hes kinda gotten away with it but its super frustrating..

[@Taz22]

I'm still holding on to my bucket list of Dream matches against Punk: Punk vs Omega (Elite vs CMFTR too) Punk vs Bryan Punk vs Sammy G Punk/MJF vs Eddie Kingston Punk vs Ospreay, Kenta, Okada, Naito and many more

[@kaujuanrichey7100]

Hang that shit up, it’s over

[@Taz22]

@@AdrianBeegoatz Many loses this year. Imagine Briscoes vs MJF-Adam Cole for ROH titles.

[@jonathandrouin8717]

Overprotective booking is not the only problem with booking. They put wrestlers in high marquee matches where thry don't belong. People complain about how WWE has too many DQ and interference but AEW is even worst in thise regards. Also too many tag/trio matches.

[@quesoblanco444]

I like tag & trios matches, so nope, can't have too many.

[@jonathandrouin8717]

@@quesoblanco444 i like them too, but that's basically every matches... when they have 1 on 1 matches you have 20 people who end up interfering so it might as well have been a tag team match too...

[@jopepe2867]

Another point is that AEW and Khan will prolong feuds past where they should end. Feuds shouldnt go past a ppv cycle honestly. We had Eddie feuding with Jericho for like, an entire half of a year and for what? Didnt really help either of them.

[@SaneManPritch]

I really don’t think there’s a problem with overprotective booking at all. Nearly all of the main stars lose matches, both in singles and in tag matches. I think it’s fair to say there’s too many tag matches though, which was particularly apparent at All In. Tony definitely does fixate on fitting too much in at once, to a fault. A lot of your criticisms here feel like impatience though. AEW is great at long-term booking and we might have to wait a long time for a tasty feud to happen, but that makes the payoff all the better. If we were just getting top guy vs top guy feuds in a constant cycle they’d lose what makes them special imo. I prefer them to build over time, like Eddie vs Claudio. I think some of it’s out of Tony’s hands too. Both Malakai and Andrade have had limited singles bookings and main events for various reasons other than what Tony seems to have any control over. As for Wardlow, he’s just not that engaging. He’s fun in the ring but there’s a limit to what you can do with him. The only time he felt important was when he was feuding with MJF and that’s because he elevates everyone. He could probably even make Jay Lethal seem engaging.

[@clarencekeller7684]

Bloated roster, wrestlers going off television after losing a title (imagine the Rock just disappearing for six months after losing to Austin at WMXV) so kills any future storytelling, inconsistency with potrayal of wrestlers and the swtiching of feuds is too abrupt to the point of randomness. Love AEW but they've been having these issues for a couple years now and each month it gets more glaring.

[@theman6705]

The biggest issues is Aew has such a massive roster and a lot of guys that should be featured guys in storylines and big matches on a regular basis just sit in catering and he just books meaningless multi man matches. Guys like Miro, Wardlow, Keith freaking Lee, Hobbs, Malakia and Andrade all of that so little I feel since comign to AEW.

[@drchtct]

I don't think it's fair to say Adam Cole HAD to be featured in a Trios feud, he was in a team with his long-time friends. It's like Triple H teaming up wuth HBK or like The Shield reuniting.

[@riffhousestudios96]

Big Star feuds are what draw big money. If everyone lives on their own because they don’t want to lose island it’s pointless. Imagine if Rock and Austin never happened.

[@douggoins2960]

Tony khan firing punk was the last straw for me. Hes a freaking idiot for firing his biggest star. Cody knew what was going on. Thats why he left. Heres to cm punk showing up in wwe for a proper final run away from the immature EVPs and their buddies

[@JoshHart316]

9:08 Andrade is simply nowhere near as good as he thinks he is. His promo skills are abysmal and while he's a solid in-ring performer he comes with a load of baggage. He isn't a needle mover by any stretch of the imagination

[@Baraka_Obama_]

In the ring, he's still one of the best wrestlers in the world. He definitely needs a manager who can talk on the mic, fans wanted Ric Flair but that's now dead since Andrade and Charlotte are separated

[@JoshHart316]

@@Baraka_Obama_ The AEW roster is chock full of wrestlers who eclipse Andrade or are at the same level in terms of wrestling pedigree such as Allin, Castagnoli, Cole, Danielson, Hangman, Miro, MJF, Moxley, Omega, Starks, Strickland, etc. Fans wouldn't bat an eye if Andrade were to leave

[@indian3021]

still remember lesner beat every fucking big star in company, and thats why i like old wwe same with old aew, they are just not putting feud, rampage is not utilised by them

[@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819]

If it's possible, I'd like for you to talk about how AEW has, like, too many jobbers on their roster. Like, the Butcher and the Blade (my go-to examples), the Workhorsemen, Private Party, the Varsity Athletes, Kommander, Jay Lethal, Matt Sydal, Christopher Daniels, Tony Nese, Lee Johnson, Kip Sabian, Brandon Cutler, Action Andretti, Aaron Solo, and so on. I get that, in a company, you're bound to have people eat pins, but you try to minimize the number so that it's not as obvious, or at least bring in local talent, but in AEW, it makes it so that the television product often sees the top talent regularly face these jokers who have never been presented as having any prayer and we're supposed to believe that tonight is going to be their night. And... it's exhausting. I'm tired of pretending that the Butcher and the Blade are going to win, when they haven't won a TV match on their own volition going on 5 years.

[@randallallgood8661]

Exactly guys he can feed to the main eventers to protect them

[@SleepyGrapes]

I’m hoping that now that punk is gone from aew tony is forced to feature some more guys in the main event, as long as you follow up form a loss well you can still take one as a top guy, back in the late 90s the rock undertaker Austin triple h foley they all traded wins and losses with each other to a certain degree, but they were still treated like starts so they were still perceived as stars

[@xxbobsetsfirexx4269]

Going to Collision tonight..nice to warm up with Tranq. talking S.about booking ha. I need a beer.

[@captainbatman7613]

Speaking of Overprotective Booking. I'll just name *Jade Cargill* TBS Championship reign

[@TigerT242]

You gatta write better scripts mayne you said the same things way too many times. Repeating yourself.

[@santiagosuarez3584]

So you finally admit AEW is doing something wrong, you just need to figure the others lol

[@briandelgado4985]

They were riding Tony Kahn for awhile even booker of the year singing his praises blah blah blah then Cody leaves now he can't book a match to save his life. Weird how that happened

[@corsicacommander8371]

This is what happens when wrestlers get creative control. Nobody wants to lose

[@clarkejoseph49]

0:41 Hi I’m Joseph Knoxville, welcome to Tranquilo Club. (Unicycles off the 10M Platform and into the Olympic Pool)

[@brutalwrestlingfigs]

Tranq I’m with you 💯 Aew Is my favorite wrestling promotion currently but we need more stories. This is why I loved punks run so much because he was able to tell good stories re ignite feuds and brought back some life (not that there wasn’t any)

[@qwertynaughty3256]

Right now aew needs to go all in man this is the time they need all the big matchs and feud

[@rudiebjones]

Whenever I see TRENT? I say, who is he losing to again? All the AEW originals that aren't top card, seem to be static in their positions on the hierachy of AEW, ie who can look good in loses and who can carry a victory. The Best Friends, outside of Orange, has always had this problem for me. They're scrappy underdogs, but capable of way more, but they're in the midcards just because of their reliability. I just want the booking to be less predictable.

[@jonathandrouin8717]

Problem with many AEW originals is that they were midcarders in a 3rd tier wrestling promotion and then Tony started hyping them all like they were going to be future main eventers when it was obvious many of them didn't have thr talent/potential for that. And people who didn't knew better yet eat it up and are now wondering why the guys they followed 3 years ago are going nowhere...

[@kelseykjarsgaard5774]

Aew should be happy vince is messing stuff up to an extent

[@thecryptkeeper5]

Sadly i felt this got worse when punk left. got slightly better on collusion but dynamite feels the same. The matches are great so i am not going anywhere but the epic story of hangman over coming omega is long gone.

[@ronaldbedwell7632]

Totally agree with you. Bcc v elite. Just single matches could carry AEW for a year or more. Remember dark at the beginning had more than squash matches. No squash matches on tv. Please

[@viscabarca7148]

Amazing Video I hope this Video reaches Tony Khan.

[@zeokin2522]

Saying Punk was 100% at fault for everything that happened backstage is so wrong of you. It's basically you saying he was the only adult and everyone else were children. Incapable of making their own choices and decisions. You lost a long time viewer cause of your narrow minded way of looking at things. Everyone involved is a adult they all played a role in Punk not being there. An since you don't know what happened 100% you shouldn't make statements like you did or take sides. Not like you or anyone else cares but your way of thinking is why the AEW fan base is split. AEW can never grow with backstage drama or toxic fans and it has both

[@tranquiloclub50]

Wtf, when did I say that

[@shauryaraj6876]

Takeshita should defeat mox for international title Imo

[@Carolina_Fresh]

Great synopsis! How to fix AEW 1. Off screen booking committee 2. On screen Authority Figure (Not TK) 3. Title consolidation

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

Exactamundo!! Tbh I would enjoy it if TK had a gimmick like he became a shady recluse like Howard Hughes and had a Jack Tunny or Gorilla Monsoon like character for his GM. Or heck even hire Cornette to play the GM! That would be ironic and so much fun!!

[@tylongkicks8821]

​@@DrinkYourNailPolishTeddy Long would be cool in that role but I wonder if he still has a contract with WWE

[@Carolina_Fresh]

@@DrinkYourNailPolish Corny would be a dream come true but I doubt he’s take the job. Whoever they would get should definitely be in that Corbett’s vein, old school story telling and logical match making.

[@Carolina_Fresh]

@@tylongkicks8821 Teddy Long would be great. I could also see Nick Aldis or Kurt Angle filling the role.

[@eighth08]

AEW is the only wrestling company I've seen but now that you've brought up the over protective booking, I feel I've been conditioned to avoid thinking about "dream matches". It's rare for the big names to clash even in multimans. Now I'm thinking of all kinds of match ups I'd love to see. God, there's so much potential just sitting that roster.

[@baseupp12]

I recommend you watch other wrestling promotions just to really see the different booking styles like MLW, NJPW, Impact, even WWE.

[@MrMosebysLobby]

Miro needs the title asap

[@FSM_Inferno]

That is what was so great about collision, rocky starks went from punk, and then Segwayed right into Danielson, while punk went into an already teased feud with Joe, but punk is gone now so idk how the booking will be… it’s all because dynamite has too many people, collodion has a perfect roster

[@kkwi5252]

I agree with 90% Tranquilo Club... However do think the protectiveness means that some feuds like Swerve vs Hangman reach even higher highs, because of the previous protection making us ever more excited to see who will win/lose. This might become diluted if anyone can lose any time.

[@richardcarter123]

To me, in wrestling, wins and losses matter very little, it's more like how you win or how you lose that's more important

[@mr.pockets8523]

I just want Kenny Omega to start winning again.

[@jarmaineburkett2123]

Miro is so overrated he’s not even top 20 in Aew

[@TerrelLism]

Endless jobber matches for some top stars just do that don't lose to another big name. Sucks. The Collision before All In was ridiculous!

[@michaelmirza1933]

Great video! I have always told my friends that AEW is too conservative and some of my boys just didn’t understand. Just cuz we see blood and violence doesn’t mean they’re putting their best foot forwards man. Cody and Punk are gone and there are plenty of good matches left for both of them in AEW. Problem is we have seen so many punk and Cody matches with low level people. Sad that we got Punk Vs Bobby Fish, but not Malakai. Cody Vs agogo, but not Kenny Omega

[@jordangoss622]

Cm punk and Cody are definitely the biggest possible losses they could’ve taken.

[@freakmagnet2737]

The only 2 who got booed out of the company

[@mag6679]

I never knew how bad the booking was until I watched this video, multiple stars put into trios, tag teams. What made AEW unique was the stables but they have overused them. WWE has learned to use a few EX. Bloodline, Judgement day, Bobby Lashleys new crew, LWO