3 reasons why a WWE x AEW crossover wouldn't work
WWE and AEW are the two extremely competitive juggernauts of the pro wrestling business. In its five years of existence, All Elite Wrestling has given its Stamford-based competitor a run for its money.
The presence of a legitimate competitor has compelled WWE to step up its game, which has resulted in a widely-improved television product. Interestingly, the two major promotions have fully embraced the rivalry, as they often take shots at each other on their respective programming.
While Triple H and Tony Khan do not often see eye to eye, both companies seem open to the idea of a WWE x AEW crossover event in the future. While fans would certainly be interested in such a massive inter-promotional event, some factors indicate that a working relationship between the two juggernauts would not be a great idea. In this article, let's look at three reasons why a WWE x AEW crossover event would not work.
#3. Triple H and Tony Khan are significantly different as bookers
A premium event between WWE and AEW could only be successful if there was a mutual understanding at the management level. On one hand, Triple H is controlling the storytelling direction of WWE. Meanwhile, it is Tony Khan who holds the reins of the creative in AEW.
The head booker of All Elite Wrestling significantly focuses on in-ring workrate, and pushes his talents accordingly. TK involves captivating in-ring performers in major storylines, causing potential draws like Wardlow and Miro to get lost in the shuffle.
On the other hand, The Game prioritizes the storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, where versatile entertainers are valued more than just good in-ring workers. While storytellers like The Miz and LA Knight are top names in the Stamford-based promotion, they might not necessarily fit into an environment like AEW, where excellent in-ring abilities are necessary to survive.
Considering the evident differences in their booking styles, it would be difficult for two dynamic personalities like Tony Khan and Triple H to keep aside their differences and work together. The duo is likely to have different visions regarding the interpromotional pay-per-view, which could lead to a clash of egos.
#2. A humongous match card will diminish the overall feel of the show
AEW and WWE are two large-scale pro wrestling companies, which employ hundreds of talented wrestlers on their respective rosters. If the two promotions ever decide to join forces for an event, fans could get to witness a plethora of dream matches on one night.
However, the length of the crossover event could once again become a matter of conflict between WWE and AEW. While Tony Khan likes to feature a good amount of wrestlers on his pay-per-views, Triple H only keeps 5-6 matches on the majority of the Premium Live Events.
Even if the two sides agree to have a bigger match card, many incredible talents would still end up missing the interpromotional event. Although it is virtually impossible for the companies to utilize their whole rosters, fans are likely to be upset if their favorite wrestler does not feature on the show's card.
If Tony Khan and Triple H tried to fit in a large number of talents on the show, it would negatively impact the overall structure of the show. While they show a great deal of respect for pro wrestling, the audience only has a limited attention span, and a 7-8 hour long pay-per-view could end up being a tiring experience. If the fans don't leave the arena satisfied, the WWE x AEW crossover would be deemed a total dud.
#1. Picking the winners for the WWE X AEW crossover could lead to a huge conflict
While it would be fairly easy to put together a dream match card, deciding which company holds the upper hand at the end of the event could lead to some serious conflicts between the bookers of WWE and AEW. Known for their competitive attitude, neither Triple H nor Tony Khan would agree to a final result that makes their company look weak.
A draw would also not make sense in this case, as the fans would be disappointed if they didn't get a definitive winner. If AEW ends up losing to their Stamford-based competitor, it would be a bad look for the Tony Khan-led company. Meanwhile, WWE's decades of legacy would take a significant hit if it concedes a loss to a five-year-old company.
The two companies have a great amount of loyal fans, who would be agitated if their favorite wrestlers lose in this inter-promotional war. The talents themselves might refuse to take a loss on the crossover event, as a defeat against a star from the rival promotion could destroy their credibility.
While Tony Khan would want his talents to go over, Triple H would have his own favorites that he might want to see on top. The two sides may never be able to agree on a set of winners, which could appear as a big hurdle for such a large-scale event.