Professional wrestling needs All Elite Wrestling to thrive and grow

No one wants to see the return of a single powerhouse in professional wrestling as competition is what’s best for the entire business and all needs AEW.

There’s a phrase that is often used in professional wrestling about what is “best for business.” Whether this is thrown around on air in a storyline, or muttered online by a media member, the opinions about what is best often shift wildly. Regardless of where you stand however, there’s one thing that is fundamentally best for business: competition. And this is why the entire industry needs All Elite Wrestling to succeed.

The growth of social media has been a great benefit to wrestling, but it’s also been a deterrent. Thanks to online behavior, the IWC (Interest Wrestling Community) can be one of the nicest areas around, but it can also become a hotbed of toxic behavior. One of those discussions that quickly turns nasty is the proposed “war” between AEW and WWE. It seems as if a large number of voices want one or the other to go out of business, as if they will stand on top of a mass of bodies with their promotional flag and be declared the winner. In reality, that is far from the case, as the best outcome is for both of these companies, and all those within wrestling to thrive in one form or another.

Speculation is growing about the negotiations for television deals for AEW and WWE. There were recent rumblings about the idea that WBD, the current home of AEW, is meeting with WWE. No reputable sources have reported on the discussion or even interest, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from running wild. As that speculation grows more and more toxic by the hour, those “fans” should watch what they ask for.

There’s a strong cross-over between pro wrestling viewers and video game players. Imagine a world where there was only one video game producer. Only one console. Such as a world where Nintendo was the only video game developer and controlled what games were published. Yes, fans may still get great games like Smash Brothers or Super Mario Wonder, but what about all the other greatness found throughout video games? Imagine an industry without Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, FIFA, or other games. Wouldn’t be as fun then, right? Then why wish for a monopolistic approach to professional wrestling?

Wrestling has already gone through such an ordeal. For decades, WWE was the only promotion with such a platform and what did fans get in return? The quality of product once WWE purchased WCW and ECW folded was drastically worse in every way. AEW’s growth, results, and the excitement that wrestling fans have for it is one of the reasons WWE began to turn the corner in the past two years. Without that kick in the but, fans would probably get the same content each week, while WWE rakes in record profits – all without any hope of improvement.

Think about what the end of either promotion would mean for the talent as well. Competition creates a space where performers are able to demand higher pay. That pay then goes to them supporting their families and is a motivator to improve their abilities at the craft. It can even be a reason to entice some individuals into becoming professional wrestlers. That opportunity is lessened if there is one group firmly in control of the industry. While fans clamor online about ratings, buy rates, and television deals, the men and women in the locker room want to ensure that there are enough spots to continue their future in the industry rather than having to walk away because the big group in town decides to make roster cuts during a global pandemic.

It is OK to have your favorites in professional wrestling, that’s the norm. But rooting for an organization to fail is the worst battle cry to make. In the long run, not only are you hurting your own interest, but you’re hurting the interests of the people you claim to love. Competition in professional wrestling is what is best for business.