2019 was a fun year for pro wrestling fans. The year saw the launch of a new wrestling promotion and the relaunch of an established promotion. It also saw a behemoth promotion switch networks for one of its brands while struggling with story arc development and the ratings. But 2019 also brought the wrestling fan unprecedented choice that hasn’t been seen in years. Let’s start with AEW.
All Elite Wrestling(AEW)
The announcement of the All Elite Wrestling promotion on January 3 created a sea change in professional wrestling. Thanks to a sizable investment by the Khan family (who own the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars), the promotion hit the ground running. With Cody Rhodes serving as executive VP, the promotion signed talented wrestlers, including the Lucha Brothers and Chris Jericho.
The biggest salvo was fired on May 25 when Jon Moxley (formerly Dean Ambrose in WWE) made his debut at the All Out pay-per-view. On October 2, AEW Dynamite debuted on TNT as the network aired professional wrestling for the first time since 2001. That night saw the promotion award its first women’s championship to Japanese wrestling veteran Riho when she defeated Nyla Rose. It also saw the establishment of The Inner Circle stable headed by Jericho. AEW has also been effective in utilizing YouTube with “AEW Dark” along with vignettes such as “Being the Elite.”
AEW has done an effective job with its creative and allowing its talent to develop their characters. They’ve also started to push breakout stars like the Jurassic Express, “The Alien” Kris Statlander, and Darby Allin. We can’t forget Maxwell Jacob Friedman, who has been delivering weapons-grade heat since his heel turn at Full Gear. The aspect of each wrestler having a record and Power Rankings gives the promotion a unique sports feel.
AEW does have its share of issues to address, though. From what I’ve observed, the issues are two-fold. The first problem is the lack of story development within the women’s division. AEW has booked random matches between singles and tag team since Dynamite debuted. But in the first episode of the New Year, a story started to unfold between Riho and Britt Baker, DDS. The second problem is the number of stables in AEW. You have The Elite, the Inner Circle, the Dark Order, SoCal Uncensored, the Nightmare Collective, the Woefully Adequate… (okay I made that one up). It might serve the promotion well to pump the brakes on continual stable formations while they continue to establish storylines.
National Wrestling Alliance
Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan purchased the NWA along with Lightning One Inc. in 2017. Since breaking away from Ring of Honor and becoming a singular promotion, the NWA has searched for a way to reach a new audience. And the thought came to mind: why not produce a studio show?
A studio show… in the Internet Age?
But the NWA has pulled it off. The promotion’s pre-recorded show debuted on YouTube on October 8 and introduced a new generation of wrestling fans to some nostalgia. The magic of the studio show has introduced those unfamiliar to NWA to promotion veterans Nick Aldis, Tim Storm, the Wild Cards, and Allysin Kay. The promotion also features independent stars Ricky Starks, Thunder Rosa, and Eli Drake. You’ll also see former WWE talent such as Aron Stevens (aka Sandow), Trevor Murdoch, Ken Anderson (aka Mr. Kennedy), and Melina. The nostalgia continues with the Rock N’ Roll Express being a part of the newly launched show.
There is also the comedic aspect not only from the talent, but also in the ad spots. Some ads are real, like Austin Idol’s Wrestling College and HighSpots.com. Others are so hilariously fake that you think they’re real, such as like Austin Idol’s Kayfabe Cocktail and Tony Falk’s Waffles and Tire Irons.
One distinct difference between the NWA and other promotions is its old school aspect. You won’t see much, if any, spots from the top rope. So, if you’re looking for high spots during an NWA show, they are few and far between. But if you are a fan of old school wrestling, then NWA Power is the show for you. There are two other shows currently in development – The Circle Squared and Girl Power – that the NWA will broadcast in the future.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Professional wrestling’s behemoth promotion saw better days in 2019. There were low ratings, controversial shows in Saudi Arabia, and a seemingly devastating piece on HBO’s Last Week Tonight. But it wasn’t all bad news for the WWE in 2019. One great thing was WrestleMania featuring its first all-female main event that saw Becky Lynch claim both women’s titles. The WWE also signed a big broadcast deal with Fox Sports. This led the WWE to move SmackDown Live to Friday and debut WWE Backstage, which fans can watch on Tuesdays on FS1.
The WWE also moved its NXT developmental weekly show from the WWE Network to the USA Network on September 18. The average fan would certainly consider the move reactionary to the upcoming launch of AEW Dynamite. The new “Wednesday Night War” has seen AEW Dynamite winning eight of the 14 weeks that they have gone head-to-head according to Variety. But this move was a good move because new viewers have the chance to see talent from the popular development promotion. A broadened audience has been introduced to breakout stars such as Rhea Ripley, Keith Lee, and the Undisputed Era.
The biggest criticism against the WWE in 2019 was storyline – or lack thereof. Even after bringing Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff (who was later let go), and Bruce Pritchard onboard the creative team, the promotion has been criticized for its lack of creativity. The one saving grace of creative has been the resurgence of Bray Wyatt. The son of WWE legend Mike Rotunda reinvented himself into a split personality of himself and “The Fiend.” Thanks to his Firefly Funhouse vignettes, Wyatt’s popularity has skyrocketed.
Fans hope that 2020 will deliver great content and engaging storylines in what is becoming the new golden age of professional wrestling.
