All Elite Musings - #4 How to Structure a Sports-centric Wrestling Company

All Elite Musings

#4 - How to Structure a Sports-centric Wrestling Company

   The first thing you will notice here is that there are a lot of titles. I like the idea of a lot of very distinct divisions which wrestlers compete in depending on their record or style. Having such a variety of divisions and titles means that wrestlers can be absent for a couple of weeks as the spotlight is put on other wrestlers and divisions.

Tier 1 - AEW World Championships and Tag Championships

   World title competitors will have strong statistical records and will have to ear their place. Currently Cody is getting a title shot as he has the best win-loss record so far. However, in the future I would expect wrestlers to have to win a lot more than three matches to earn a shot at either the top men's or top women's spot in the company.

   I wouldn't have the title defended on every show and I would not have the champion pinned out with a title match except very rarely. I would like to see number one contenderships earned through tournaments and fierce competition.

   Wrestlers such as Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, Cody Rhodes and Adam Page seem suitable for the men's top tier and competitors such as Nyla Rose, Britt Baker, Bea Priestly and Awesome Kong for the women's top tier within the company's current roster.

   The tag division would be alongside these divisions. With teams having to work together for an extended period of time before having the synergy to be able to compete for the titles. Currently, The Young Bucks, Lucha Bros, SCU and the former-LAX seem appropriate leaders of this division.

Tier 2 - AEW Intercontinental

   There should be secondary tier titles for the male and female divisions. I've called them 'Intercontinental' as is the convention in wrestling companies however the name isn't important and an unique name would be better.

   This could be an explicit system where contenders for tiers are recorded based on ability and results as happens on old '2k' WWE games. Wrestlers working their way to the top of a division to earn a title match or get promoted to a higher division will give matches meaning without needing overly elaborate soap-opera stories.

   Competitors such as Riho, Brandi Rhodes, Sadie Gibbs and Big 'Swole or competitors such as MJF, Jimmy Havoc, Sammy Guevarra, Darby Allen and Shawn Spears would be well-positioned to build these divisions in the early days of AEW.

Tier 3 - Alternative Divisions

   The TV Title should be a thing. A title that does not appear on PPV but does on most TV shows would be another way of differentiating action in AEW. This title would be competed for by wrestlers looking for a platform to show off their talent to earn further opportunities. Wrestlers from other divisions looking to make a point or even wrestlers from other companies looking to earn a spot would comprise this division.

   AEW is aiming to avoid the cookie-cutter approach of the WWE. Therefore divisions should have clear characteristics. They have shown an interest in more extreme/hardcore wrestling in the early days of the organisation. A title for hardcore, death match or strong style wrestlers would be an interesting differentiation and offer variety to the card.

   The New Blood title would be a version of the Junior division, cruiserweight division or X-division that you see in other companies. It would be a division for younger, lesser known talent who are looking to wow the audience with their youthful talent and athleticism.

   A lot of companies have trios titles however the faction system in New Japan is a very effective story driving system. By having a set of Faction championships, AEW could use them flexibly to add interest to matches between different groups of wrestlers. They could be defended in six man, eight man or ten man matches depending on the number of wrestlers involved in each faction. AEW already have various groups of wrestlers out with the tag division.

Power Rankings - 2019 So Far...

Power Rankings

2019 So Far...

   This is my Power Rankings for the year in wrestling so far. I will be ranking wrestlers in terms of their achievement within the world of wrestling inside and outside of the ring.

1. Kazuchika Okada

   Another year of excellence from the ace of New Japan. 2019 saw Okada win the New Japan Cup, win back the IWGP Heavyweight Title and put together a string of masterful performances in the G1 29.

   Okada is currently the most valuable commodity in professional wrestling. A dynastorial champion who elevates whoever gets in the ring with him. Okada is already the greatest IWGP Champion of all time and he is only 31. He is definitely one of the top three wrestlers in the world and he will get better. Another ten years of brilliance is probable.

   His matches with Ospreay, Suzuki and SANADA have been highlights of the year as he rebuilt his Rainmaker character, short trunks and all.

2. Becky Lynch

   She has, inarguably, cooled off in recent months but on the strength of her Royal Rumble win and the defeat of Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania as well as the evolution of her 'The Man' persona she is undeniable one of the very hottest commodities in the business.

   Her promos are polished and yet organic. She connects with the fans yet is face of the biggest company in the wrestling world. Becky Lynch has used 2019 to become one of the most recognisable names in wrestling.

   When handles correctly she is part of scorching hot feuds and creates a big match feel. Her feud with Rousey was the perfect example of this and her upcoming feud with Sasha Banks is in the same vein.

3. Chris Jericho

   Chris Jericho is 48 years old yet has possible had the biggest year in his wrestling career. He has been the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, challenged for the IWGP Heavyweight Title and has become the first ever AEW World Champion.

   He is a promo machine and has been 'don't take your eyes off him' good in feuds. His work with Adam Page, Tetsuya Naito and Kenny Omega has been compelling.

   He is now going to be the centre piece for the television debut of AEW on TNT. He will get significant mic-time and will be feuding with the biggest and most skilled performers in AEW. He has proven that he can draw interest and create brilliance with relative ease.

4. Tessa Blanchard

   An Impact Wrestling star yet on the most compelling and now influential performers in the world. Callis and D'Amore deserve a huge amount of credit for how they have booked her however her talent is shining through in a big way!

   Her intergender matches are pulling up trees in the wrestling world. She has an incredible look, a believable style and a compelling ability to sell. It's inconceivable that Impact can hold onto her for much longer despite the incredible job they have done to elevate her.

   It could be argued that she is the next stage of the woman's evolution within wrestling, that it is in fact her that is the heir to the four horsewomen. If AEW can get hold of her it could be next level for all parties. She is poised to take the work of Becky Lynch to the next level.

5. Kota Ibushi

   An incredibly gifted performer and perennially cited to be a breakout star. However Kota Ibushi is 37 years old. That's six years older than Okada.

   2019 has been different though. Ibushi has signed a lifetime contract with New Japan after years of flitting from company to company. This has seen New Japan become comfortable with investing in Ibushi. 20189 say Ibushi win the G1 29 and he is scheduled to face Okada at Wrestle Kingdom.

   Incredible in the ring, uber popular with Japanese and Western fans and star-like looks Kota Ibushi is about to fulfill his monstrous potential.

6. Jon Moxley

   What a year it has been for Jon Moxley. From leaving WWE to cryptic messages to resurfacing as Jon Moxley to AEW to NJPW to the G1 and the incredible podcast tell alls. Jon Moxley has gone from struggling as Dean Ambrose to storming AEW and NJPW as Jon Moxley.

   His self promotion, the way he has conducted himself and his sheer talent in the ring has enabled him to power back to prominence in the wrestling world. He is now a star in Japan and is poised to be a major player in AEW.

   His promo work in AEW has proven him an intelligent man who understands the business and what fans want but iti has been his work in Japan that has really stood out. His G1 run was incredible. He mixed it up with a variety of styles and worked the incredibly difficult New Japan with aplomb.

7. Cody Rhodes

   Cody is an interesting wrestler. Often maligned as not up to the standard of the other wrestlers that are pushing the business into the future yet he is a compelling worker and a magnetic personality.

   He has had incredible matches against Shawn Spears and Dustin Rhodes so far this year. He is a masterful promo and a genius businessman. He is the face of AEW and possible the most over babyface in the fledgling company.

   His ability to build up a match giving each a big match feel is invaluable. He is not in the top bracket in terms of wrestling technical ability but his charisma and creative skills are very special.

8. Seth Rollins

   It has been an interesting year for Seth Rollins. Elevated in difficult circumstances, Rollins has been the mainstay of the main event scene on Raw for a year now. He is the number one babyface but is a somewhat controversial character.

   Incredibly skilled in the ring yet he struggles to remain over with the fans. A questionable Twitter game and some poor character work has made life difficult for him however he has had some superb moments this year.

   His victory against Lesnar at Summerslam was an incredible performance and has rehabilitated his character. He is now one of the most valuable commodities in the business.

9. Will Ospreay

   Considered one of the best, of not the best wrestler in the world. This year Will Ospreay won the BOSJ, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title and competed in the G1 as a junior heavyweight.

   Ospreay has moved to Japan and is becoming a major player in New Japan. Apparently he is considered the heir to Kenny Omega. He has put on a succession of terrific matches this year against Eagles, Takagi, Ibushi and Okada.

   With an ever evolving moveset and a unique charisma at 26 years old, the world is in Will Ospreay's hands.

10. Johnny Gargano

   The injury to Tommaso Ciampa was gutting for NXT fans who had watched their epic feud. However the somewhat impromptu match with Adam Cole was an incredible spectacle.

   Four five star matches as a WWE wrestler is something to take notice of. Gargano is an incredible worker and is almost guaranteed to have the best match on the card.

   He is in an interesting position. He is almost the next Brian Danielson yet he is already signed by WWE. Yet if he did decide to go elsewhere he would hit the top of the card instantly.

Honourable Mentions

• Kenny Omega - The best wrestler in the world and AEW EVP is building a compelling story in the fledgling promotion.
• The Young Bucks - The Jackson brothers are at the forefront of a tag team dynasty.
• The Undisputed Era - This quartet will be at the front of NXT as it takes on AEW in the 'Wednesday Night War'.
• MJF - A truly special promo. He has so very much potential as a heel in AEW.
• Sasha Banks - The possible resurgence of Sasha Banks coupled with her wrestling ability is potentially very special.
• Io Shirai - Wrestling ability as it has always been, top tier, however her character work has taken the wrestling world by storm.