The Challenges for AEW in 2023
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We are officially into the fourth-year of existence for All Elite Wrestling.
It’s incredible to think that not too long ago, many didn’t think this promotion would live beyond their first year. But they exceeded expectations, and now the bar is high for AEW coming into their fourth year. 2023 is a very important year, even more than 2021, for multiple reasons…
New TV Deal?
AEW is entering their last year on their TV deal with Warner Brothers Discovery, and we can say that AEW has made an important impression with them since day. It’s important to remember that WBD didn’t expect much of AEW at first. However, they exceeded expectations and a year after their first deal, WBD decided to improve their deal, expanding AEW content to an extra hour that would later become Rampage. 2023 is key for AEW in getting a new and better deal with WBD, or even getting an improved deal with another station. With the numbers they have, there could be interested parties to sign AEW to their channels.
New Markets Needed
One of AEW’s biggest objectives in 2023 should be expanding into Latin American and Spain markets. AEW hasn’t been lucky on that front, due to some bad decisions. But this is a market AEW needs to grow, and fast. Signing wrestlers like Rush and Bandido last year were good decisions, however, they need to get better deals on these markets soon. Some reports indicated that AEW could be getting a deal with the streaming service DAZN in Spain and some parts of Latin America, which would be a good thing.
Better Spanish commentators would also help AEW tremendously. One option people are throwing out there is Hugo Savinovich, a legendry Spanish commentator for WWE. But he currently works with AAA and to say it nicely, he isn’t the biggest fan of the Khans. Carlos Cabrera, also a legendary commentator in WWE could be an option, but he is also currently working with AAA.
2023 saw the end of the partnership between AAA and AEW. Because of this, AEW needs a new working partner in Mexico, especially with they want to improve their standing in Mexico and the rest of Latin America. While a CMLL-AEW partnership makes all the sense in the world, it’s very unlikely to happen any time soon.
Build Younger Talent
Besides TV contracts, 2023 is important for their young wrestlers. AEW needs to push them higher into the card… MJF has become the first Pillar of AEW (MJF, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin & ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry) to become world champion, and we just saw Darby Allin regain the TNT Championship from Samoa Joe.
2023 has to focus more on the young talent they have on the roster, especially with someone like Nick Wayne who is close into turning 18 and will be allowed to wrestle on AEW, after he was offered a contract last year. Top Flight and Private Party also need to make the jump into the next level as young tag team in the AEW tag team division.
Continue Improving The Women’s Division
The AEW women’s division has improved a lot these last 6 months, the women’s matches on AEW programming have pretty good quarters TV-wise, as well as great reaction by the live crowds. Mercedes Moné (FKA Sasha Banks) finally left WWE and has joined NJPW’s recently recreated women’s division. The possibility of Moné joining AEW is up in the air, but AEW needs a big star for the women’s division to make the jump to the next level like Jon Moxley did for the promotion four years ago. As of this writing, we have no confirmation if Mercedes has indeed signed with AEW, or even plans to do so.
Besides Moné, AEW needs to keep going with the momentum they gathered last year with their women’s division. Someone to keep our eye on is Jade Cargill and her fantastic run as undefeated TBS Champion. We’ll see what she could do this year…
2023 could be the year they finally open the last forbidden door they have left, and finally start a working relationship with STARDOM, the biggest women’s promotion in Japan and the world. The relationship between AEW and STARDOM has been hot and cold this last year, with some reports saying Rossy Ogawa was interested on opening the door to AEW. But, later that changed.
AEW has a lot on their plate in 2023. Do you believe it’ll be their biggest year yet?
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