10 Recent AEW Moments That Have Already Aged Poorly

AEW has had an up and down time over the last year or so, because even amidst all the world-class wrestling, big-name signings, and breathtaking PPVs, there have been some moments that have unfortunately aged badly already.

10 Biggest Reasons Why AEW Hasn't Grown As A Company

AEW has hit a bit of a wall in recent years, unable to grow their popularity because of the following reasons.

Whether it be due to AEW’s own fault in terms of bad booking, or things perhaps outside of their control, there have been some things over the last couple of years that don’t look all that great with the power of hindsight. Certain segments, championship wins, and more are among the things in AEW that haven’t aged too well when looking back.

10 CM Punk As AEW World Champion

CM Punk Became A Two-Time AEW World Champion

At Double or Nothing 2022, CM Punk defeated Adam Page to win the gold
A few months later at All Out, he won it again against Jon Moxley

It felt like the time was right for CM Punk to become a world champion again, but unfortunately an ill-timed injury led to Punk’s fairytale getting cut short, being put on the shelf shortly after winning the belt.

When he returned, he dropped it to Jon Moxley in an angle that some fans didn’t enjoy. He would win the title back once more, but an injury and the events of “Brawl Out” led to the title being stripped away. Punk’s title reigns were hardly reigns, but history still shows him in the record books as a two-time champion. He is the worst AEW World Champion of all time, and his reigns have aged terribly already.

9 Wardlow Squashing MJF In Five Minutes

Wardlow Destroyed MJF

MJF and Wardlow feuded back in 2022
At Double or Nothing, Wardlow annihilated MJF with a powerbomb symphony

The feud between MJF and Wardlow was going perfectly, with Wardlow getting super over with fans. However, the controversy concerning MJF’s potential “no-show” at Double or Nothing took all the attention away. Wardlow destroyed MJF in quick fashion, in what should have been a star-making win.

From there, AEW botched Wardlow’s booking. His TNT Title reigns were dreadful, his aura diminished, and looking at where he is now, this massive victory hasn’t aged well.

8 The Elite As Inaugural AEW World Trios Champions

Kenny Omega & Young Bucks Defeated The Dark Order

At All Out 2022, The Elite won the World Trios Titles
A week later, The Elite were suspended

The events of Brawl Out led to multiple moments aging badly. The Elite winning the AEW World Trios Titles was another, as Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks were suspended following a backstage fight, and were stripped of their championships.

They may have later won the gold again when they returned, but the steam was instantly taken out of these brand new created belts. Their second run with the gold didn’t have the sort of spark that a successful first reign would’ve had too.

7 William Regal’s Heel Turn On The Blackpool Combat Club

William Regal Helped MJF Win The AEW World Championship

MJF was handed brass knuckles by William Regal
The founder of the Blackpool Combat Club turned his back on the group

At Full Gear 2022, William Regal turned heel, giving brass knuckles to MJF and helping him defeat Jon Moxley. This huge betrayal looked to start a massive angle and alliance with MJF. However, Regal’s return to WWE cut this whole thing short.

9 Storyline Endings That AEW Needs To Avoid

There are certain situations that Tony Khan should avoid when he is booking the finish to these current AEW storylines.

In an awkward angle, MJF attacked Regal, and Regal explained away his betrayal in a convoluted video message. The main event of Full Gear 2022 has aged badly due to this, and it is still bizarre that Tony Khan booked this knowing Regal was set to leave.

6 Saraya’s AEW Debut And Return From Retirement

Saraya Returned To The Ring After Years Away

A neck injury ruled Saraya out of action
Saraya joined AEW and debuted at Grand Slam 2022

It was a shocking moment when Saraya debuted in AEW, getting another chance to make it big in her career. However, fans turned on Saraya, and her heel turn in which she formed The Outcasts went down pretty poorly.

Even though her debut saw a huge pop and the story of her journey had been great, it fell flat ultimately and a year later she has no momentum to speak of.

5 Tony Khan’s ROH Purchase

Ring Of Honor Found A New Owner

ROH was on its last legs last year
Tony Khan rebooted ROH and brought it onto AEW programming

Tony Khan came out to Daily’s Place in front of the AEW audience to make a huge announcement - he had purchased ROH. Gaining the library, the All In rights, and more were all well and good, and to have a sister company to AEW could’ve been handy.

However, the overuse of ROH on AEW TV has been jarring, and it has led to too many titles and wrestlers being featured. ROH failed to get a TV deal, even with Chris Jericho as world champion. It has been a failed project and people aren’t really invested in the brand.

4 The Firm’s Arrival In AEW

MJF Led A New Faction

Stokely Hathaway, Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, & The Gunns made up The Firm
They were MJF’s “Insurance Policy” in AEW

At All Out 2022, The Firm faction debuted in what was presented as a massive angle, helping MJF win the Casino Ladder Match. They were set to be his hired goons, but these plans very quickly changed.

MJF feuded with The Firm, and the group dispersed not long into their existence. When looking back, the moment of their debut has aged awfully. They don’t even exist as a group, which just goes to show how much a failure it was.

3 The Elite’s Reunion

The Elite Members Finally Joined Forces Again

After feuds and turmoil, The Elite made amends
The moment of The Elite’s reunion was notable

The Elite’s storyline has been a central part of AEW programming over the last several years, and finally in 2023 they came back together after months of making amends and fighting a common enemy. Adam Page’s promo stating that The Elite were together again was goosebump-inducing. However, this has now aged badly.

The Elite’s reunion was only short lived before issues began cropping up again in their ranks, which has just felt like a rehash of the same old stuff once more.

2 Jack Perry’s AEW Heel Turn

“Jungle Boy” Became “Jack Perry”

Jack Perry turned heel on his friend Hook
One of AEW’s most beloved babyfaces became a disliked heel

Jack Perry finally had enough and turned heel in 2023, in a move that was initially welcomed. However, some unconvincing promos and a suspension following a fight with CM Punk has led to this heel turn being a complete disaster.

5 Bizarre Things That Happened Backstage In AEW

While AEW has only existed for half a decade, some bizarre things have happened backstage in All Elite Wrestling.

It was supposed to be a career-changing moment for Perry but the whole thing has already aged like milk.

1 CM Punk’s Big Return On AEW Collision

AEW Brought Back The Controversial CM Punk

After months away, CM Punk was given his own show
Collision was built around CM Punk

CM Punk’s AEW return in 2023 was supposed to be a huge moment and one to change the tide in the company. A brand new show in Collision was built around him, and fans were excited for what was to come.

However, more backstage issues led to more fights and drama, and Punk was fired. Collision ratings dropped, Punk went to WWE, and the whole thing now looks like an awkward mess for all involved.