Big What If
By Scott Keith on 16 October 2024
How different would the wrestling landscape be today if Cody started AEW with Tony but the Bucks and Omega decided to join WWE instead after All In? While the bucks definitely played a big part in All In, everyone has pretty much been on the record that Cody was the driving force behind the success of that show. Omega was also on the record that Cody was instrumental in setting up the foundation and infrastructure of AEW, as none of them realized all the different processes and employees needed to make an operation like that work.
While Bucks and Omega were big names, I don't think they were the make or break to Tony getting the TV deal or agreeing to fund the promotion. Honestly it felt like Tony was supposed to be a money guy with Cody and the Elite running it, but it was clear from early on they all weren't on same page and forced Tony to fully take over. If it's just Cody I am not sure that happens. I still think they get Mox and Jericho, and prob Punk too, as well as many other free agents who got released or asked to let go, like Black and Miro. Who knows, maybe they actually still be contributing to aew if Cody was still there. Cody also helped out MJF on the map, so I don't think the elite not being there changes that.
Look, clearly after the new TV deal it's not all doom and gloom for AEW. But they now feel closer to Impact with a better TV deal and budget than as a serious competitor to WWE, which was far from the case when Cody was there. So do you think the gap would be closer if thinks worked out differently?
I’m glad you acknowledge that $185 million a year means it’s not all doom and gloom now.
Also they’d be fine without the Bucks at the beginning but the tag division would probably have taken a hit.