'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. Eddie Kingston compares the locker rooms between AEW and WWE
Eddie Kingston made headlines a few weeks back following a post-AEW Dynamite promo he cut in front of a live audience, going after WWE. In June, Kingston spoke to Daily's Place, and cut right to the point.
"The competition sometimes doesn't wanna hear their fans. I guess I'm burning another bridge, surprise. Ladies and gentlemen, AEW cares about their fans. We are not here just to get ourselves a paycheck. We're here every week, with you people, without you people, and we come out here and bust our asses. Because we love, we love professional wrestling."
Kingston went further, talking about the highly acclaimed main event between Jungle Boy and Kenny Omega from that night. When it came to those two, the legends in AEW and the locker room, Kingston said there was a heart in their company that you would never see on the other channel.
It was controversial to say the least. Many loved Kingston's heartfelt words, knowing that he was truly passionate about AEW and the locker room. However, there were some who felt he stepped out of line and went too far when it came to WWE's locker room. On Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray spoke on the issue.
Ray said he loved Kingston to death, and if it came down to a promo battle, there's nobody else in the business you'd want there ahead of Kingston. However, that didn't mean he agreed with what was said.
"But in this case, Eddie needs to shut the f*** up and stay in his lane. His lane is an AEW guy speaking about AEW and flying the flag for AEW. Then, I'm completely onboard. Tell me how great AEW is. Fly the flag for your company. Show me that you wear your heart no your sleeve. You were an indie guy for the majority of your career until this company took a chance on you. You've learned to love it and everything about it. Don't take the easy way out and knock the WWE."
When it comes to WWE and AEW taking shots at each other, there are definitely fans who get tired of it. If you're someone who enjoys that aspect of the war that we saw between AEW and WWE's NXT brand, though, it's hard not to love the words shared by Eddie Kingston.
#1. That's gonna put some butts in the seats
It's impossible not to put this at the top spot considering what it did for the Monday Night Wars. Essentially, many considered this a turning point for WWE. On January 4th, 1999, WWE aired a taped episode of RAW. At this point, WCW had gotten into the habit of ruining the results of any taped shows that WWE produced.
However, this was the one night they probably didn't need to. Had they not said anything, the fans that were switching channels back and forth might have assumed Mankind wasn't going to win the WWE Championship. After all, with The Rock as the Corporate Champion and the whole Corporation ringside, what were the odds of a title change?
Fans, even now, will tell you that they won't watch a product if it's too predictable. At that point, everyone just assumed that The Rock was going to retain and continue onward in the feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. But no, WCW gave them a reason to go watch a historic moment in WWE history.
"If you're even thinking about the channel to our competition, fans, do not. Because we understand that Mick Foley, who wrestled here for a time as Cactus Jack is going to win their world title. Huh, that's gonna put some butts in the seats."
Well...it did. Fans loved Mick Foley, and rightfully so. He was an every man, someone that many saw themselves in. Those that followed his career knew the risks he took to entertain the fans, and also knew how important his family was to him.
He was a genuinely good guy that fans wanted to see succeed. So when those channel changers heard it was going to happen, they were glued to WWE RAW waiting for the moment to take place.
Sometimes it's okay for companies to take shots at each other, but it's a risk. Much like this moment, there's a chance you wind up sending your fans to the competition.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
