The Biggest Differences Between WWE and AEW Right Now

For the first time in over a decade, there is real competition in professional wrestling. While All Elite Wrestling cannot truly match the impact of WWE yet, the company has established different expectations as an alternative.

In some ways, fans have already seen WWE change to match and evolve in competition with AEW. Likewise, the newer promotion has had to adjust to stay relevant against the industry giant.

As the companies continue to set a standard, it has become clearer than ever what defines each promotion. While WWE will always be the star-making show, AEW has become the wrestling-focused alternative.

Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar dominate WWE, while Bianca Belair and Ronda Rousey stand at the peak of its women's division.

AEW focuses on top stars such as Jon Moxley, MJF, Chris Jericho and Bryan Danielson but attempts to keep things balanced with a huge roster.

The following are the most clearly defined lines between the two companies and what they could learn from one another to improve.

Entertainment Focus vs. Sport Focus

WWE may use the term "sports entertainment" to define its product, but the second word will always be the primary focus of the product. The company may be less averse to professional wrestling these days, but it is still a television program first and athletic exhibit second.

AEW was founded with the promise of a sports focus first. The visible win-loss records of talent are used heavily on TV and define who is involved in major matches. The promotion has backed off on using a full ranking system but still keeps the physicality front and center.

This manifests primarily in how much time is spent on in-ring action between the two companies.

Comparing match times from the last two live shows from WWE and AEW collected from www.profightdb.com, SmackDown and Raw average roughly 20.5 and 19.5 minutes per hour respectively. Dynamite and Rampage averaged roughly 27 and 28.5 minutes per hours.

While this may seem like a small difference, it can be felt between the programs. WWE is known for using that difference for longer promo segments, while AEW uses longer match times for the purpose of giving those contests more weight.

Since Triple H took over WWE Creative in July, it has put more focus into longer matches. Meanwhile, AEW has put a greater spotlight on interviews recently to get as many wrestlers on the product as possible.

There is a healthy balance the companies are still struggling to find.

Protect the Stars vs. Protect the Product

WWE has a star-driven mindset. Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are largely untouchable. Bianca Belair, Ronda Rousey and The Usos have been the untouchable foundations of its divisions. Everyone else is stuck in a 50-50 balancing act, trading wins on a weekly basis.

AEW has taken a more direct focus in creating its hierarchy by showcasing wins and losses. Even without a ranking system, wrestlers cannot go after the major titles without a streak of victories. This system is protected heavily sometimes to the detriment of fresh rivalries.

WWE's process has always worked for the company, but it can get frustrating for fans of those not considered stars. Even when some get a chance to stand out, such as Kofi Kingston or Dolph Ziggler, they quickly fall back into the rotation.

AEW struggles to stay consistent in the process. Stars can be forgotten for months at a time, which has been felt recently with the absences of Miro, Eddie Kingston and Andrade El Idolo. Meanwhile, certain talent get overexposed such as Chris Jericho and Jay Lethal.

The idea of wins and losses on a scripted program is a touchy subject, but credibility and momentum can be felt. AEW relies on that feeling too much, while WWE may rely on it too little.

Pacing vs. Impact

WWE builds each show as a television episode with highs and lows. The pacing is often most important. There must be an opener and a main event, and there must be down moments to give the crowd time to relax.

AEW still prescribes to the idea of a clear main event, but otherwise each segment is set up to spark the crowd. Its pay-per-views in particular are known to lack any filler or down spots, which can make the show exciting but also exhausting.

There is a reason that few films or TV shows are constantly running at a high pace. It is difficult to maintain that speed, especially given the length of typical AEW PPVs at around four hours.

The benefit is that AEW is always trying to give its talent an equal spotlight, but that cannot always work out. The women's division often gets the short end because the company does not actively promote the division as much as WWE.

The women have gotten more significant air time in WWE, including far more main event focus. It will always go first to Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar, but Bianca Belair and Ronda Rousey are not too far behind in finding a focus.

WWE has a proven formula that works. It may not always be flashy, but it has been far more sustainable over the years.

Commitment vs. Flexibility

When you sign with WWE, you sign a commitment to the company. While you may be allowed some to rest up when injured, the expectation is working on the road 200 days in the year.

AEW has given its talent a lot more flexibility. The talent only work three days at most a week, most likely just one. Wrestlers are also allowed steady breaks and can work for other companies including New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

WWE has shown more flexibility in allowing talent time with family, but once wrestlers are on the road, there is little time to be home. AEW has pulled back in working with certain companies and can overwork key stars but has mostly kept a solid work-life balance.

Mustafa Ali and Kevin Owens are two men that have clearly stated how important it is to be with their family, and it can be tough for them to find that time.

Bandido recently signed with AEW over WWE according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter and did so in order to be close to his family.

The problem AEW can face is when wrestlers want to work more than what is offered. Talent can be forgotten. WWE can rarely lose track of stars as the expectation is that anyone healthy makes every show, at least for their assigned brand.

The work-life balance in these two companies varies considerably, though it is likely both are still working to find the best way to serve the talent.

Consistency vs. Variety

It is easy to predict what one will get from WWE. Whether it be Seth Rollins, The Miz, Bobby Lashley or Sheamus, certain stars will always appear if healthy. Repeat matches are expected over the five hours of major programming with a limited roster.

AEW, meanwhile, promotes a variety show. While certain stars will always appear, repeat matches are booked only with a story behind them. To facilitate this, it has a large roster of talent that can get lost in the shuffle.

When Roman Reigns appears, he will cut a promo with The Bloodline. When Ronda Rousey appears, she will break another arm. When The Usos are on air, The New Day cannot be too far behind.

Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson will always fight, but after a pair of matches with any one talent, they will move on to the next. Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo wait their turn for that attention, forgotten in the shuffle.

The variety element of AEW makes each show interesting, but it can leave too much talent on the outside looking in. WWE's weekly product cannot hit the same highs as AEW Dynamite, but there is a consistent promise that is kept to the talent and fans.

Both approaches have pros and cons, and that is what makes WWE and AEW distinctive in the modern wrestling landscape. The promotions can continue to learn from what works and what doesn't but hopefully stay distinct enough to keep the competition going.