5 Reasons why WWE should be worried about AEW

On 1 January 2019, Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, and Adam Page announced the formation of a new promotion, All Elite Wrestling, on Twitter. The announcement created a buzz in the entire professional wrestling community. The owners of the new giant in professional wrestling were revealed to be Shahid and Tony Khan.

Ever since the announcement was made, speculations started among the fans as of who will be the wrestlers that will sign with the newly founded promotion. One such name was Kenny Omega, a talent that even WWE wants badly. This also embarked the discussion of how big of a threat AEW will be to WWE.

WWE has never had a real competitor ever since the demise of WCW in 2001. The only major promotion other than WWE was Total Nonstop Action, presently known as Impact Wrestling.

While TNA was a good alternative to WWE, it never really provided the competition WCW did in the late 90s. The independent scene too wasn't as good as it is right now. Hence, WWE was unchallenged in the professional wrestling for quite long.

However, in the last few years, there has been a huge growth in the independent scene. The rise of promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Lucha Underground among several others has played a critical role in the formation of All Elite Wrestling. These promotions are no longer watched just by hardcore fans. Many of the casual fans have tuned-in to these promotions as well.

The current events have inspired All Elite Wrestling to be The Next Big Thing in professional wrestling. WWE can not afford to take AEW lightly. Why? Here are 5 reasons why WWE should be worried about the rise of AEW.

5. The growth of the Independent circuit

The reach of Independent Circuit has increased from hardcore fans to the casual fans as well

The independent circuit has seen massive growth in the last 5 years. Gone are the days when people used to refer it as "Bingo Halls". In fact, the independent circuit is now becoming a home of many wrestlers who have found it difficult to succeed in WWE.

Let us take Cody Rhodes for example. The American Nightmare left the company in 2016 after a lackluster run as "Stardust". However, he dug in the independent circuit and became one of the biggest names in the industry.

He even claimed on Twitter that he made 3 times more since joining the independent circuit than he did while he was in WWE. Drew Mcintyre is another such wrestler who turned his career upside after leaving the company in 2014.

It is evident that the Independent Circuit is more of a profitable option and hence more wrestlers are willing to take the same route.

4. The financial support of AEW

The Khan family has an estimated net worth of $6.4 billion

All Elite Wrestling is owned by Shahid and Tony Khan. While The Khan family is a new name in the professional wrestling community, they have major ventures in the field of sports. Shahid Khan is the owner of an NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars and EPL football team Fulham F.C.The Khan family's net worth was reported to be $6.4 billion as of December 2018.

Such strong financial support is a key role why AEW might be a big threat to WWE. One of the major reasons why most wrestlers prefer WWE over other promotions is the pay gap. While WWE does have a hectic schedule, it also puts more money on the table as compared to other promotions. If AEW is able to provide comparable pay and other royalties, more wrestlers will be keen to join it.

3. The struggling product of the company itself

TV ratings have hit a record low in the past few months

The company's current product isn't their best by any stretch. In fact, Monday Night Raw has been struggling to even hit the 2.5 million mark. The 27th December 2018 edition of Monday Night Raw hit a record low of 1.78 million viewers.

TV ratings aren't just the only thing which proves that fans are extremely unhappy with the current product. WWE has been struggling to sell out many of their house shows as well.

The 2018 post-Christmas house show at Madison Square Garden generated the smallest attendance in the last few years. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Newsletter reported that WWE only sold around 11,900 tickets for the event.

The results were such that WWE itself had to acknowledge it on Monday Night Raw. While The McMahons did promise to make big changes in the product, it will be interesting to see if those are implemented in 2019.

2. Losing their superstars to AEW

Dolph Ziggler is rumored to be leaving the company because of his current position

WWE has a very stacked roster right now. There are way too many talents and not everyone can be placed in the main event. However, many wrestlers are being misused or rather, barely used for a long time.

Dolph Ziggler, a former World Heavyweight Champion, has expressed frustration over his current position in the company. Zack Ryder, a former Intercontinental Champion, wrestled only once on Monday Night Raw in the entire 2018.

Several other wrestlers, like Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, The Revival, Bray Wyatt, Andrade"Cien" Almas, and Finn Balor have been poorly used by the company despite being fantastic in-ring talents. The rise of AEW means there will be an alternative for these wrestlers to choose. Hence, there are several wrestlers that WWE might lose to AEW in near future.

1.The Star Power of AEW

Chris Jericho is one of the biggest names to sign with AEW

The first three wrestlers to sign with AEW were The Young Bucks and Cody Rhodes, also known as The Elite. On January 8, 2019, AEW held a rally which revealed several members of their roster. However, the biggest name casual fan could relate to was that of "The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla" Chris Jericho. Another major former WWE wrestler who announced his signing with AEW was PAC, better known as Neville.

Apart from them, AEW also signed big names of the independent names like Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Adam Page, and Britt Baker. Apart from these, it is highly rumored that Kenny Omega might be joining AEW. Whether that happens or not is another thing.

Regardless, the roster that has been announced as of now has some of the biggest names in professional wrestling outside of WWE and a veteran like Chris Jericho. With so many big names under the same roof, many casual fans too will tune in to watch this newly founded promotion.