WWE and AEW Are Giving Fans What They Want—For Better and Worse

Professional wrestling thrives on crowd participation and a passionate fanbase unmatched by any other form of entertainment, but that doesn't mean the customer is always right.

The industry is in an interesting place right now because its audience is more outspoken than ever, and the top companies have immediate access to a sample serving of our feedback through social media. However, it's often hard to tell what's merely a vocal minority until it translates into live show reactions.

Still, it's difficult to distinguish how much the fans' response should dictate the direction of major storylines or encourage a company to invest in or repackage a popular wrestler.

Sure, there are countless examples of a well-timed course correction paid dividends or unforgettable instances where someone ignored the evident outcry, which led to a regrettable outcome.

Regardless, there are many examples where a company stayed the course, and we were pleasantly surprised, too. Of course, there are more moments like the "Yes Movement," The Rock's heel turn, or #WeWantCody than exceptions such as Walter's name change to Gunther.

So, WWE or All Elite Wrestling should listen to the overwhelming response from their viewers more often than not, but it's a tough balancing act. The creative team and ownership must decide when it is better to trust the plan they have mapped out and motivate the fans to be patient or heed their reception as proof it's not working.

The following are two current situations where the audience may be right now, but each company must determine the best option in the long run.

What is Jey Uso's Ceiling?

On February 1, Jey Uso shocked the wrestling world when he eliminated John Cena to become the 2025 men's Royal Rumble winner.

The result garnered a largely positive response from avid WWE fans because the 39-year-old enjoyed such a successful jump to Raw. His catchphrase and infectious energy during his entrance instantly caught on, and his short stint as intercontinental champion and merchandise sales ultimately proved his worth as a singles competitor.

More to the point, this was a rewarding moment for viewers who have followed his journey since he took on Roman Reigns in 2020. It's almost poetic that Uso earned the opportunity of a lifetime while The Tribal Chief attempts to regain everything he lost last year.

Nevertheless, some online fans weren't happy with his Rumble win because he had just lost to Gunther one week prior at Saturday Night's Main Event. Some of his most high-profile matches were also a bit underwhelming.

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His showdown with his twin brother, Jimmy, at WrestleMania 40 was almost universally panned, and he didn't really flourish in any of his world title matches in 2024.

Still, it's hard to argue Main Event Jey doesn't deserve the chance to win the big one on The Grandest Stage of Them All, because he's so incredibly popular.

It’s a little troubling that the excitement for his rematch against The Ring General has seemingly plateaued, though. That's not necessarily his fault because the fans still cheer for him, but the segments are growing repetitive.

Cena's heel turn and the build for Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk have quickly overshadowed their storyline. Even more, Cody Rhodes' recent appearances on Raw and SmackDown to promote his match with The Rock's new ally have also undercut Uso's momentum following the Rumble.

One could even argue that his win feels like a means to ensure Cena would be in the men's Elimination Chamber match for a bigger moment in retrospect. After all, this wouldn't be the first time WWE rewarded a fan favorite but immediately made it clear they're not the company's top priority.

It still feels like now or never for Jey, so he has to win at The Showcase of the Immortals. This isn't a great sign for his chances of headlining the event or his potential world title reign, though, because it already feels like he's lower in the pecking order than more recognizable superstars.

Should Swerve Strickland Dethrone Jon Moxley?

Meanwhile, AEW must address the growing criticism of The Death Riders and its world championship.

Revolution was an excellent show, but the main event was still the low point on a night packed with incredible in-ring action. Jon Moxley vs. Cope was widely considered the worst match on the card, and Christian Cage's Casino Gauntlet Cash-In was anticlimactic, to say the least.

At least, Swerve Strickland's re-emergence as the new No. 1 contender salvaged the ending and sent the Crypto.com Arena crowd home happy. The Most Dangerous Man in AEW also secured the win over Ricochet and capped off a great story with Prince Nana earlier.

Strickland was undeniably the most popular wrestler on Dynamite last week, and the reaction to him at the pay-per-view was just as loud. So, it's the perfect time to challenge Mox, and he should win for the second consecutive year at Dynasty on April 6.

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The Death Riders angle has produced some of the most cumbersome and uninspiring title matches in the history of AEW. Even worse, it has completely lost the plot after a compelling start at WrestleDream last October.

We've assumed this will lead to Darby Allin's return to defeat Moxley after his struggle in 2024, but he won't be back anytime soon, and AEW can’t afford to wait. Mox has been calling for someone on the roster to step up, and Strickland fits the bill as someone who could match his intensity.

Moreover, many fans weren't ready to see him drop the AEW World Championship at All In London last August, and he has continued to be one of the company's most valuable assets since his loss to Bryan Danielson.

There's unfinished business between Strickland and "Hangman" Adam Page, and their rivalry should culminate in a title match later this year.

The prevailing takeaway from Revolution was that it's time to move on from Moxley's run as The King of These Lands because at least five men have proved they're ready to dethrone him. And Strickland leads the pack as the No. 1 contender.