DeMarco’s Top 5: What If AEW Didn’t Exist?

Greg tackles a big What If in today’s pro wrestling landscape–What if AEW Didn’t Exist? The possibilities are endless…and shocking.

By now you have had the chance to listen to the rejuvenated Badlands podcast here on the Chairshot Radio Network, rebranded as “Badlands What If…” Each week, Mags, Tolley, and Rance take on a major item in the history of wrestling’s past or present, ask a lingering “What If,” and bring you their enlightening analysis around the topic.

Consider this part two. I will take on the same topics, several weeks later, and offer my own spin. There will be overlap, and I am taking a “Top 5” approach that hits you with smaller bullet points than one long timeline. And don’t worry, the Badlands trio is fully on board with my follow-up analysis, and we might even cross back over in the future.

My first topi? Well it’s their first topic: What If AEW Never Existed?

Give the original broadcast a listen, here:

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Here is my Top 5: What If AEW Never Existed?

5. Ring Of Honor Isn’t Struggling, It’s Prospering

Did the formation of All Elite Wrestling destroy Ring Of Honor? It’s easy to make that argument, but much like the demise of WCW, it was more related to the parent company (Sinclair Broadcast Group) wanting to pull the plug due to financial unrest due to entities not even related to ROH. Business is business.

But what if business was booming? Imagine a world where G1 Supercard does include the Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Kenny Omega. Ring Of Honor would be the top non-WWE brand in North American wrestling today, and most (but not all) of the Elite crew would be working there today. We wouldn’t be getting ready to watch a deficient Final Battle card to end an era, but we’d be getting for a Final Battle that is once again one of the most anticipated events of 2021.

4. MJF, WWE Superstar

One of the most exciting names in AEW is MJF. At just 25 years of age, MJF was trained by WWE agent Pat Buck and former WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins, and is one fo the top prospects for wrestling’s next decade-and-a-half. I still think a run in WWE is inevitable for Mazwell, but it’s also entirely possible that he grows with AEW should the promotion avoid the pitfalls of many that have come before it.

But if there was no AEW, but 2021 MJF would have likely made his way through NXT and to the main roster, especially if NXT 2.0 is still a thing (and it’s probably not). While it’s also possible that MJF ended up in this article’s version of ROH, it seems more likely that he is on the main roster, having programs with the likes of a Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and others.

That is, if they are stil employed…

3. NXT 2.0 Never Happens

So I believe NXT still makes it to cable television thanks to a USA Network television deal, but I don’t think it gets rebranded. We likely see 205 Live get rebranded (which is about to happen anyway) into what NXT 2.0 is–a proving ground for the newest generation–but NXT as we remember it (1.0, black and gold, etc) is still going strong post-pandemic. And if NXT is still going strong, the Undisputed Era members are all still around, but possibly on the main roster. And that main roster might look a little differen (see below).

Also, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan Danielson are probably on the black and gold brand in player-coach roles.

3a. The Releases Come, But Are Somewhat Different

In a follow-up to the point above, I think the most recent batch of releases are much different. I don’t think we lose Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, and all of Hit Row. I think we might lose some of the veteran talent like Shelton Benjamin, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, and others. Because NXT isn’t viewed as a failure, it’s viewed as an asset, and it’s stars will also be viewed in that manner.

2. Pat McAfee Isn’t Commentating on Smackdown, Chris Jericho Is

As an avid listener of his show (in podcast form), and a hug fan of his work on both NXT and Smackdown, I don’t think Pat McAfee is currently sitting beside Micharl Cole on the blue brand. Unless Chris Jericho goes on tour and he’s filling in, because I do believe Jericho himself is the color-man on Smackdown.

Without an AEW to pay him big checks (Cody Rhodes has referred to the “Jericho-tier” as a thing atop AEW’s pay structure), Jericho returns home to WWE, might already be in the Hall Of Fame, and is working as a commentator who only wrestles the occassional special attraction. He’s the next Jerry Lawler, and would do a damn great job at it.

1. Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion

Remember, Cody Rhodes left WWE before any of this AEW business came about. So in this case, he still leaves. And by now, he’d be back. I do think the time away serves him well, and he proves him to be the commodity he believes he is. He still has the school, much like Seth Rollins, and he also has at least one world title run under his belt, like many others.

Cody Rhodes, for any fault we might present today, is still a damn talented professional wrestler, and his talent woudl have made its way to the top of WWE some way, some how.

And because of the WWE video game properties (and policies), he’s likely not saddled what that terrible neck tattoo for life.

What say you in this What If? What things happen if AEW is never a thing? Hit me up @ChairshotGreg on all your forms of social media and lef me know!

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