Wrestling: Both AEW and WWE booked major matches so let’s enjoy them

There are a lot of conversations that happen within the wrestling social media space that causes readers to hide their face or roll their eyes in shame. Often, it is ridiculous hot takes or support of problematic wrestlers. Yet, an interesting discussion popped up over the weekend when WWE announced a big six-man match for Monday Night Raw, The Bloodline versus The New Day. It is a match that should excite everyone interested in professional wrestling, but sadly the opposite occurred.

The debate broke out that the only reason WWE is booking this match is to try to push back on the narrative that AEW is beating them in the ratings and the impact of the returning NFL on Monday. This comes one week after WWE attempted to drum up interest for Monday’s show with Big E’s cash-in. Fans were outraged at the idea of this match happening on a Monday, instead of being featured as the main event for Survivor Series.

Let that set in. Instead of being excited that a gigantic match like this is happening on “free” television on Monday Night Raw, a wide swath of voices is upset or denigrating the booking of this match. Now, there should be some concern with how the match will play out because the WWE has shown a long-running tendency to book matches like these, just to throw out some disqualification, non-finish. These matches should matter and have stakes, two places that are not strong points for WWE. But the announcement of this match for Monday is doing exactly what it should; create some type of buzz for a show that has struggled to have any real interest for months on end.

Then there is the upcoming AEW Dynamite and Rampage. Both shows have important matches planned, but AEW Dynamite looks like a PPV-worthy card on “free” television. The idea that Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson are having a one-on-one match was unbelievable a year ago. Now, wrestling fans will get to see it without having to buy a ticket to an event or paying a streaming cost.

Yes, AEW has done an excellent job building up the prestige of the AEW title and keeping it protected. Omega versus Danielson is a non-title, special attraction contest. There is a place for building up new challengers for the belts through prolonged storytelling. AEW excels at this. But there is also a place for special attraction contests that put fans into the seats and gets everyone talking the moment its announced. That is what Omega versus Danielson is. And when it goes down on Wednesday fans will get to see one of the most important dream matches, that will no longer be a dream.

Professional wrestling is supposed to be about fun moments. Both WWE and AEW have big matches announced for their shows this week, and fans should enjoy them instead of making it a point to pick everything apart. Whether it is The Bloodline versus The New Day or Kenny Omega versus Bryan Danielson, there is going to be a lot to look forward to and talk about coming out of this week’s shows.