One big thing: AEW’s week-to-week focus
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray believes AEW CEO Tony Khan is prioritizing short-term, weekly storytelling over long-term narratives in AEW’s booking strategy.
The details:
• Khan recently discussed his approach to storytelling on “Busted Open Radio”
• Bully Ray analyzed Khan’s comments on “Busted Open After Dark”
• Ray described Khan’s strategy as a “grip it and rip it” mentality
• This approach prioritizes weekly excitement over extended storylines
Why it matters:
Understanding Khan’s booking philosophy provides insight into AEW’s creative decisions and helps fans and critics align their expectations with the company’s direction.
By the numbers:
• AEW Dynamite has been on air since October 2, 2019
• The show averages around 800,000-900,000 viewers weekly
The big picture:
This strategy marks a departure from traditional wrestling storytelling, which often relies on long-term narratives and character development.
Case in point:
The recent Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness match at AEW Grand Slam:
• Built on years of history but contained to a few weeks of TV build
• Danielson was absent from TV during the build-up
• Match received praise, particularly for McGuinness’ performance
• In-ring action reportedly fell short of pre-event expectations
The bottom line:
While Bully Ray doesn’t necessarily agree with Khan’s approach, he appreciates the clarity it provides in understanding AEW’s booking decisions.
What do you think about AEW’s focus on short-term storytelling? Is it the right approach for modern wrestling audiences? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
