One of many logos of AEW has been an emphasis on placing forth aggressive matches. In actual fact, as illustrated by a fan knowledge survey I carried out earlier this yr, the in-ring product typically is the most well-liked side of the corporate.
Nearly anybody that consumes the AEW product would establish in-ring motion and aggressive matches as a energy of the corporate. But, a persistent criticism, one which clashes with the established reserving patterns of Tony Khan, has hung over the promotion: Matches are typically too aggressive for some followers’ liking.
The newest instance comes from this previous week’s episode of AEW Collision, the place Kyle Fletcher took on Komander.
Fletcher is within the midst of seeing a big push as a rival to Will Ospreay, whereas Komander has been largely used as a pin-eater in matches, having solely gained 16% of his matches in AEW since signing with the corporate.
Whereas Fletcher did win the match, Komander acquired some moments of offense in–displaying he had a preventing likelihood within the match and that Fletcher was not invulnerable.
For some critics, together with Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com and Jason Powell of Professional Wrestling Torch, the match being extra aggressive than a plain Fletcher squash was a reserving mistake.
The logic these pundits are utilizing is pretty easy–Fletcher is one the best way up and should not have any downside disposing of somebody like Komander. Promoting for Komander is just going to wreck Fletcher’s push and trigger him to be much less over.
That logic, although, fully ignores AEW’s reserving patterns, in addition to that followers in AEW need to see aggressive matches, not simply quick squashes involving enhancement expertise.
The truth is that Fletcher wasn’t harm in any respect by giving Komander some offense, particularly since he managed 90% of the match and Komander solely made his comeback when Fletcher, an conceited heel, briefly distracted himself whereas selecting on Komander’s supervisor, Alex Abrahantes.
Komander has not gained a lot of his matches, besides he has been introduced as a reputable wrestler, somebody that’s going to do some enticing high-flying strikes that the gang is invested in seeing. The proof for that was that the gang acquired very excited for Komander throughout his comeback, popping massive for his signature offense and have been standing in anticipation of the end. Komander will not be introduced as a world champion, however he additionally hasn’t been established as a wrestler that simply loses in a few minutes, both.
The results of giving Komander extra offense than a few of these pundits wished to see him have was an excellent match. A match that at present has an 8.08 on Cagematch, which is the second-highest score for a singles match Komander has had in AEW, behind a match from final yr towards Rey Fenix. The match for a lot of followers was the spotlight of Collision, and an ideal instance of the energy of AEW–gifting away robust matches on tv that characteristic a luchador like Komander doing thrilling strikes.
This has been a constant situation for some individuals with AEW for some time. It probably began through the COVID-19 pandemic, when Kenny Omega had a six minute match with Alan Angels, who on the time was seen as an area jobber, and Omega was criticized on-line for giving Angels an excessive amount of credit score within the six minute match.
Persistently, although AEW has booked aggressive matches like this with none actual downside because the firm first began, this has been introduced up as a difficulty for AEW. Simply two months in the past, Fletcher himself was on the other finish of the argument, with these identical individuals questioning why Fletcher was getting a lot offense in a match towards a debuting-Ricochet.
Tony Khan has constantly taken this strategy–if he likes a promising youthful wrestler, however doesn’t have quick plans to belt them up or put them in a significant program (one thing that may be troublesome in a aggressive setting with a wrestler that’s largely unknown to followers) he’ll as a substitute put them within the position that Komander is now in. Have them work as beatable opponents for wrestlers who’re on the best way up, however give them sufficient offense in order that when it’s time to push them, followers are conversant in their signature strikes and may get behind them.
We’ve seen this play out with wrestlers like Konosuke Takeshita and Daniel Garcia, who misplaced a number of aggressive matches early of their time in AEW, and have since seen their inventory stand up–these early losses being the introduction to their abilities for a lot of AEW followers and establishing familiarity with the viewers. Fletcher is in the identical boat, and now sees himself on the opposite finish of these aggressive matches now that his push has begun. In all probability, Komander might be there too sooner or later, successful matches towards a youthful wrestler who Khan is excessive on.
Essentially the most irritating factor about these criticisms, significantly within the wake of the success that was the Komander vs. Fletcher match, is the militant obedience some individuals have to stick to a preconceived algorithm on how AEW ought to be run.
To Alvarez and Powell, something lower than Fletcher rapidly squashing Komander is seen as a reserving error and an instance of why AEW simply isn’t doing as nicely accurately.
That obedience is totally unaware of essentially the most primary aim of professional wrestling: entertaining followers.
When Komander acquired his offense in on Fletcher–the gang wasn’t sitting in surprised silence, shocked at seeing a preliminary wrestler rating some offense. The viewers wasn’t rolling their collective eyes, like a few of these ivory-towered critics appear to be. No, when Komander hit his signature space-walk dive to the surface on Fletcher, the followers all stood up and cheered.
Kyle Fletcher vs Komander: HIGHLIGHTS.
Such a outstanding TV match. Komander by no means fails to amaze. Fletcher is a stud, this firm’s future. pic.twitter.com/uSIfQB23qG
— Drainmaker 🌧️ 💵 (@DrainBamager) November 3, 2024
That’s the sort of power you need to have in your professional wrestling present. You need the viewer at residence to be watching an thrilling wrestle, with the followers in attendance on their ft and making noise for the motion. That’s what AEW, greater than something, is making an attempt to promote to its fanbase, and what makes it totally different than WWE, the place oftentimes the gang is quiet through the matches as they await a wave of interference and run-ins, which is what that viewers cares about.
It’s weird to me that some pundits are nonetheless clinging desperately to a preconceived notion about what AEW must be as a substitute of adjusting their expectations for what it’s. And one of many issues AEW is is an organization that offers followers thrilling back-and-forth matches, even between opponents which can be on reverse ends of the reserving chart in the meanwhile. If the argument is that Fletcher will fail to be as over as he may very well be as a result of Komander hit just a few spots on him on this match–I merely discover that to be preposterous, with no proof current to counsel that would be the case going ahead.
Lastly, simply from a aggressive sports activities perspective, a wrestler like Komander holding his personal towards Fletcher makes the competitors really feel extra legit in AEW. Anybody that may be a sports activities fan understands that usually instances, heavy favorites can wrestle to place away an underdog. Even a weak crew is comprised of proficient professionals able to giving a robust crew a run for its cash, similar to a wrestler with a shedding document like Komander is able to scoring some offense on Fletcher.
Personally, I get pleasure from that type of competitors–it not solely helps Komander for his eventual push, but it surely additionally reveals Fletcher isn’t a restricted wrestler. He can deal with wrestling somebody like Komander, get punched within the mouth, and reply with a clear and decisive victory. To me, a match like that may be a win throughout, however some critics stay too conflicted by archaic expectations to comprehend the worth of what’s occurring proper in entrance of their eyes.
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