Opinion

AEW vs. WWE and The War Between The Fans

Many fans AEW & NXT TV deals as shots being fired between both promotions–but the real fireworks are happening between fans of both AEW and WWE.

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2019

Tom Clark

AEW’s upcoming debut on the TNT Network is the talk of the pro wrestling world and with good reason. Tony Khan’s company is set to make a major impact with weekly programming, featuring a heavy emphasis on wins and losses, as well as the promise of old school wrestling.

Not to be outdone on any level, WWE is moving NXT to the AEW Wednesday night time slot two full weeks before Khan and company go live for the first time. Many fans see this as shots being fired between both promotions and there’s likely much more to come. But the real fireworks are happening between fans of both AEW and WWE. Simply put, it’s getting a bit ridiculous.

The AEW faithful believes that Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks are the best thing happening in the industry today. The trio, along with Kenny Omega, has established a loyal fanbase that is willing to follow them anywhere. The big events have sold out and thus far, the same is true for their live TV.

These fans wanted something more than what Vince McMahon and WWE was giving them and now they have it. AEW is poised to become real competition to WWE, which is something that hasn’t happened since WCW shut down in 2001. For nearly 20 years, WWE was on top and no one was able to touch them. But that’s all changed now.

Who can fault AEW’s fans for wanting something new? A lack of competition bred complacency in WWE and everyone knew it. In fact, it was painfully obvious. Weak storylines, hollow characters and nonsensical angles were the norm in WWE and while the hardcore fans rolled with the punches, many more decided it was all too much.

The casual fans left in droves after the end of The Attitude Era. Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Mankind all retired. Triple H’s corporate role became fully realized over the past several years and The Undertaker has been a shadow of his former self. The excitement and intensity that once existed in WWE was washed away because of many factors, which include the company’s PG rating, as well as a lack of top stars.

Fans accused WWE of talking down to them and more often than not, insulting their intelligence. It seemed that The McMahon Family cared so much about money, that the foundation of fans who made them wealthy to begin with, were rendered irrelevant. No one within WWE seemed to care about anyone’s opinion unless that opinion came from a McMahon.

How could fans not embrace something different? Anything different is good, especially when it comes to a business like pro wrestling, which can often get incredibly repetitive. WWE dumbed down its own product and did it so often that it actually set the table for a company like AEW to come in and have a seat. Why wouldn’t fans be excited about this?

But the WWE faithful has been here before. They watched WCW come in white-hot and take the industry by the throat. The nWo, Hollywood Hogan, Goldberg and Sting, all became household names and established WCW as the No.1 company in the industry. No one was bigger and WWE couldn’t keep up.

However, that run did not last long. WWE outlived its greatest competition of all time and Vince McMahon’s company prospered as a result. WWE fans backed a winner and over the years that followed, it was obvious that their decision to stay, or come onboard, was a good one. WWE is a veteran at this cat-and-mouse game that WCW perfected and that AEW seems to be playing now. The fact is that no company besides WWE can play that game any better.

AEW is still an unproven entity and WWE fans know that. It’s extremely hard for them to back AEW or to support it in any way, because that company seems so focused on WWE. Why doesn’t Rhodes and his crew worry more about what their company is doing, rather than what The McMahon family is doing? Why does this even have to be a war?

But the fans that are currently making this personal will ultimately be the first casualties in this war. The cockiness of many AEW fans is out of control and the arrogance of many WWE fans is just too much to bear. One side believes that unless it came from The McMahon Family, then it’s not legit, while the other side believes it’s not legit because it came from The McMahon Family.

AEW fans can find no fault with their favorite company, though that company hasn’t really done much to earn such unwavering loyalty as of yet. WWE fans can find little to no fault with their beloved company despite years of mediocrity and silly booking proving otherwise. WWE fans don’t want to hear any criticism and the same is true of AEW fans.

The knee-jerk reaction of attacking AEW fans is matched only by the knee-jerk reaction of attacking WWE fans. AEW fans are accused of just wanting to hate everything and WWE fans are accused of obsessing over their favorite company. Unless it’s WWE, it’s lousy. Unless it’s AEW, it’s not relevant. Has either side ever stopped to think that they’re more alike than they realize?

The idea of AEW began as an alternative pro wrestling company, a new creation that would approach the business in a different, yet familiar, way. AEW was supposed to be a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stale environment. But somewhere along the way, the AEW movement became more about hating The McMahons than it did about breaking new ground in the industry.

WWE is supposed to be the industry leader, with fans who respect their history and are anxious to make more. But for some reason, WWE fans can’t understand the desire that AEW has to change the game. Instead, AEW fans are viewed as brainwashed loyalists, who ironically enough, see WWE fans in the exact same light.

It’s a complicated situation that’s only growing more confusing as time goes on. What happened to pro wrestling fans wanting to see more companies for the pro wrestlers to ply their craft? More places to work means more money is flowing, which means more overall success for the industry as a whole. Why can’t that be the focus, instead of the nonsense that’s currently playing out between AEW and WWE fans? Will it ever end, or is it just getting started? Only time will tell but for now, the war continues.

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1