I know that booking for WWE is a complicated process of its own with unique elements that no other company has to worry about. I also know that even with those factors, the person who does is bad about it and evil. I also know that it doesn’t matter, because it’s simply too big to fail. But those factors, like shareholders, toy sales and sponsorships… they’re a bigger factor than we probably know.
I also know that comparing AEW to WWE and vice versa is annoying, because in reality one has little to do with the other. They are their own flavor (hence why AEW is able to thrive). You may like both, you may like one or the other – both have huge pluses and minuses. Sure, in its three years of existence, AEW has transformed part of its identity, and that of its fans, into a “non-New York” entity, which is great; you must illustrate why, as a new child, you are relevant and in need of attention. And they’ll never admit it, but part of being a WWE fan, at least for some, is clinging to the known and traditional ways and discarding anything else. (and don’t tell me otherwise, because I know what prompted that roar to Cody Rhodes).
But still, if you watched Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland winning the AEW Tag Team title last night, you can’t help but ask yourself… WWE can’t know what to do with these guys?!
Before we start the game, just look at Swerve.
If the whole idea of a great wrestler is attraction, magnetism and the ability to have a full stadium in your hands… LOOK THIS! You’ll have to wipe the charisma that drips from his floor on the ramp every time for fear of others slipping on it or drowning in it. This guy walked the red carpet at the Grammys, literally. WWE has always molded in any way possible in cross-business and lured their boys and girls into other industries, and Swerve was there. They sign an ironing board like any Paul jabroni they just write because of his social media following, and he can’t put a sentence together without being offended. And he’s not a wrestler! Swerve is an incredible wrestler (Which home? Swerve’s House). Looking at the vibrancy of his introduction during last night’s match, just the grace and attitude he carried at all times:
Much of the WWE Universe lost the Usos vs. The Street Profits from Money In The Bank match, and it was a great match. No question. Except AEW rolls out that kind of tag game pretty much every week, and they don’t do it with tag teams that have been forced to face each other 48 of the 50 weeks before. Last night’s main event was a holographic card with Swerve In Our Glory (Lee and Strickland), Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks (underrated) and The Young Bucks. It’s an odd choice because we just saw the first two teams in a triple title fight at Double or Nothing just six weeks ago. And all these guys know how to change and build a completely different match even in the same form.
The Bucks are sometimes – rightly so – branded for making their matches their own on-site carnival (the super party) but they have no problem getting anyone they are in the ring. looks like absolute legend. Means being thrown around like flying saucers by the giant Keith Lee.
Sure, cramming six guys into a place normally takes four, but in one match you get all the match types you want. If you want a festival on-site, Bucks and Swerve is here. If you need meaty men, this is Hobbs and Lee. If you want to tell a long story, you might have a moment where the Swerve can turn on Lee or the Starks and Lee.
And for god’s sake, you’ve got an endgame with Lee doing this!
That’s 350 pounds of man flipping on the top rope. What kept Vince from thinking he could work?
Well, Lee had a brief look at once. He was the last man against Roman Reigns a few years ago in the only interesting thing that happened in the Survivor Series after 5 years. He was spotted with Brock Lesnar in the following Royal Rumble. That’s about it. Maybe WWE thought he blew his chance. His health is scared Definitely not much help. But then there’s the name change and everything else. All they had to do was let Lee be Lee and they couldn’t do that. It was simply too hard for Vince to figure out, “Hey, let’s let this massive burly guy bounce over the rafters and then hit the spots that people half his size are supposed to do.” The code is really hard to crack. But he doesn’t have the “look” or the “presence” that keeps WWE looking the same week in, week out, I guess.
As for Swerve… who knows. It’s not that WWE is shy about pushing black wrestlers. New Day is still one of the most popular groups in WWE history, and recently even Big E. Bobby Lashley has been a multiple title holder over the past two years. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair hosted a night in Mania. But there’s an advantage to Swerve, which is a huge part of his charm. Sometimes it’s crooked, sometimes it’s just confidence. It wouldn’t be surprising if Vince mistook that edge for something threatening and felt the way most old white men do about it. Either he’s just forgetful, or just as capable.
Whatever. I’m glad New York didn’t get it. Because now I can see Swerve and Keith as Swerve and Keith uninterrupted or unaltered. We all win.
