Countless clichés spring to mind after witnessing AEW Dynamite, but perhaps the most apt is, “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Wednesday night felt like a page taken from the AOL/Time Warner playbook.
Despite potential ratings boosts, Tony Khan’s decision to air the altercation between Jack Perry and CM Punk likely did more harm than good—not just to AEW, but to all his employees. Comparatively, this “fight” seemed less intense than typical scuffles in South Philly diners during WrestleMania weekend. This decision casts doubt on Khan’s confidence in the high-profile stars he has under contract, such as Swerve Strickland, Adam Copeland, Samoa Joe, Will Ospreay, and Okada. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
It felt particularly petty and mean-spirited for AEW to announce the airing of this footage during WrestleMania, contradicting the optimism that marked the company’s early days. It seemed like an admission of defeat: “We have nothing left but footage of a wrestler who’s no longer with us.” In reality, AEW has plenty to offer; however, Khan often leaves projects unfinished, forgets them, and metaphorically unplugs the microwave.
Regardless of who was featured on Dynamite, nothing could overshadow the impact of the notorious security camera footage. While it contributed nothing to advancing any current narratives, except perhaps the story CM Punk told on the “MMA Hour,” it diverted focus from active wrestlers to those no longer with the company. As a result, fans chanted for WWE “Superstars” instead of AEW’s Ricky Starks, Wardlow, or Thunder Rosa. Cody Rhodes, during WrestleMania week, did a far better job of promoting AEW than anyone else, expressing pride in the collective effort to launch the company.
This begs the question: Does Khan truly aspire to make AEW the top pro wrestling promotion, or is he more driven by personal vendettas against former stars?
The events of Wednesday suggest the latter. Although Khan likely has good intentions, it’s crucial for him to reassess and prioritize his goals. Khan has undoubtedly contributed positively to pro wrestling, but he has also demonstrated a consistent inability (or unwillingness) to avoid self-sabotage.
AEW is treading water. Ironically, the company needs a decisive leader to reach the next level. The best apology Khan could offer his roster would be to appoint an experienced figure to fill this role.
Indeed, actions speak louder than words.
