AEW doesn’t have the big stories needed to build AEW Revolution 2023

It would be best for AEW Revolution to feature fewer matches than previous AEW PPV showcases. 

AEW Revolution 2023 is just under two weeks away and the card is beginning to take shape. The focus is on the budding feud between Bryan Danielson and AEW World Champion, MJF. As the rest of the card takes shape, there is a lot to look forward to. However, AEW should take a moment to listen to one of the biggest critiques about its PPV showcases, and avoid building a card that features double-digit matches.

This is the fourth edition of AEW Revolution and will come from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Four matches are slated for the card, including the main event between Danielson and MJF. Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page will battle it out in a Texas Death Match. Samoa Joe and Wardlow will battle again for the AEW TNT Championship. The new AEW Tag Team Champions, The Gunns will defend their belts in a fatal four-way match.

But questions arise when asking what else can be added to the card. Jamie Hayter is the current AEW Women’s Champion and should be featured on the card. This feature will most likely be in a tag team match with Britt Baker as will probably take on Saraya and Toni Storm. This match should be used to further the big angle going on in the women’s division, but that storyline isn’t hitting on all cylinders for a number of reasons.

Jade Cargill is the other big name in the women’s division, but her story has stagnated. Without any real challengers, throwing together a match for her on Revolution wouldn’t make a lot of sense. The Elite has a firm grasp on the AEW Trios Championship, but that division isn’t fully fleshed out. Many expect House of Black to be their top threat, but with two weeks of shows left AEW can’t rush this story for the sake of putting on what would be a great match.

AEW is struggling with telling the stories needed for a PPV

This is the challenge that many of the storylines in AEW face. Fans love the talented performers and what they can do in the ring, However, that fact hasn’t helped the lack of storytelling that is hindering much of the AEW roster. Even individuals like Ricky Starks and Chris Jericho, who are involved in an angle together, lack the true interest that would make them a justifiable big match on a PPV.

Revolution 2020 featured nine matches, as did Revolution 2021. Revolution 2022 featured 12 matches, including the three that were on the preshow. Try to think of five to seven more matches in today’s AEW to fill out AEW Revolution 2023, and one will see just how much of a challenge booking this show has become.

This is an opportunity to put together an efficient show with 5 to 6 matches, giving them the space to breathe and build upon the stories being told, the few that are being told. Will AEW make that shift for its next PPV? Only time will tell, but there is a positive to having shorter PPVs with more meaningful matches. AEW Revolution 2023 should switch things up when it is needed the most.