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Even before Double or Nothing aired on PPV on May 25th, many wrestling fans believed that AEW was not only the second coming of WCW, but it would be the new franchise that will finally bring competition to WWE after many years of the industry being a monopoly.
Also read: 5 biggest surprises from AEW Double or Nothing
For years, WWE has had the biggest and most influential hand in the wrestling industry. It was only over the last few years where a series of alternate options started popping up. As a result, wrestlers realized that WWE wasn't the only option monetarily.
Now, they not only have a big option in AEW, but they have one that will seemingly offer more creative freedom. Double or Nothing as a PPV delivered in a big way, so much so that more people now fully believe that the company has what it takes become legitimate competitors to WWE.
One thing is for sure, Vince McMahon and WWE won't sit silently. Here are five things they must do to hit back at All Elite Wrestling.
#5. Have Brock Lesnar fail his Money in the Bank cash in
Money in the Bank was by no means a bad PPV. In fact, it was easily the best WWE PPV of 2019 and all went well with it...up until the end. Giving Brock Lesnar the Money in the Bank briefcase seemed like the most unnecessary decision.
Sure, it was unpredictable, but not in a good way. The fact of the matter is that people are sick of seeing Brock Lesnar in the World title scene. For two long reigns through the span of two years, Lesnar held the Universal Championship hostage for all but two months.
It's time for WWE to pull off another swerve and have him fail his cash in. It'll instantly bring back interest.
#4. Lesser involvement of the McMahon family
The McMahon family have been a part of WWE television on and off for a good part of two decades. While they have been absolute icons in the business and played pivotal on-screen roles as well, it's been a few years now where the entire family has been overdue to sticking to off-screen roles.
They're all obviously important off-screen (with Shane McMahon being the only purely on-screen figure), but there really isn't any need to get involved in storyline. Tony Khan himself admitted that he will not be appearing on-screen at AEW and that's probably for the best.
He realizes that the show is about the talent and not the authority figures. While we don't doubt that the McMahon family has some drawing power, they simply aren't necesssary on-screen figures anymore.
The talent can get by themselves without having to deal with the McMahon family.
#3. More straightforward storylines
WWE creative seems to be all over the place, scrambling and making last-minute changes even before an episode of RAW or SmackDown. Now we understand their persepctive and that it can be a hard and often thankless job.
They have ideas that are shot down 9 out of 10 times by Vince McMahon and many of the currrent storylines just seem off and a little too overdone and overcomplicated. The best storylines are the ones that are simple and straightforward.
Take for example, Kofi Kingston's rise to the top. That was an incredible, organic storyline that had no ifs, buts or complications to it. It was a completely straightforward story and allowed the crowd to get far more invested in it than they normally do.
WWE needs to start making a regular habit of having straightforward stories that the audience can relate to. It'll help rebuild viewership.
#2. Rebuilding the tag team division
If Double or Nothing proved anything, it's that the tag team division has a lot of fire and a lot of potential. The Young Bucks vs The Lucha Bros was tag team wrestling at its finest and despite the numerous false finishes and no-selling, it trumped anything that WWE has put out tag team-wise for the last year or two.
Think about this. The Revival and The Usos, two of the top five best tag teams in the world are feuding over Ucey cream and an immature storyline hinting that Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson may be more than just friends.
Who cares about that? Fans want to see the best tag teams go at it and WWE has the firepower to build an incredible tag team division. WWE needs to seriously start looking at ways where the tag team division can reach a new era of glory.
#1. Acknowledge the competition to the locker room
AEW is going to be serious competition to WWE in the future and that much is evident given the momentum they have after Double or Nothing and the kind of show that they put on. Now, this isn't to say that the show was perfect (because it wasn't), but it's something that can be a great thing for the industry.
The WWE locker room is clearly aware of AEW and they clearly want it to succeed. That can be seen based on tweets from the likes of Xavier Woods, Sasha Banks, Bayley. The competition can only be a good thing and Vince McMahon needs to address it to the entire locker room.
He also needs to announce that it's a major opportunity to step up to the plate. All the superstars in the locker room are competitive and there's no doubt that when WWE lights a fire under them, they can take it to a whole new level.
Ultimately, the fans will be the biggest winners.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
