5 Things AEW can do to improve in the company's second year on TNT

AEW
AEW

#4 Slow down the pace of matches and try to make them unique

Jericho faces Darby Allin
Jericho faces Darby Allin

If you've watched almost every episode of Dynamite and/or the PPVs, most of the AEW matches follow a similar formula. Most of the time, the face is in peril before going on a run to get back into the match. This usually includes using a suicide dive or tope con hiro to the outside. There are very few moments of rest. It's okay to use similar moves in a couple matches a night, but not every contest in a 2-hour show.

This isn't to say that AEW is the only company that has a formula for it's contests, but AEW's is often way too fast-paced. Moves often happen at such a rapid pace that it's easy to miss a few of them. A lot of that has to do with still adhering to the independent style of wrestling where stars hit move after move after move instead of slowly building to big spots.

WWE have been criticized in the past for its overuse of rest holds like a headlock, but that seems like it would be something good to use during AEW matches. Jon Moxley and some others do use them, but because they are often so fast-paced, a lot of the same moves (suicide dives, superkicks, tope con hiros, knee strikes, to name afew) get used. If they don't slow down the pace of their matches, then they could at least restrict the use of certain moves.

Every star that came from the indies has a suicide dive and superkick in their arsenal. Johnny Gargano also has those moves and with so many people utilizing them, they seem less special. Remember when Sweet Chin Music or the Last Call kick was a finisher? Now everyone from the Bucks to Cody to Marty Scurll to Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens all use the superkick.

Cody is actually one of the few AEW stars to utilize a lot of storytelling in his matches which sets him apart from the rest of the roster. Perhaps it is because he came from WWE and is Dusty Rhodes' son. But in order to make all of its bout seem different, AEW needs to rethink its formula.

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