Modern wrestling is overrated. There is a bias that modern matches are inherently better than previous generations. The wrestlers of today, we are told, are better athletes and better workers than those who blazed the trails. Despite the modern style not existing in the past, making it spurious to compare the two to begin with, we are told that this is the style that is the greatest ever. This is wrong.
WWE has been hiring high level athletes to its NXT roster via their NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) program. Their main roster includes many credentialed athletes as well. Outside the WWE, the athletic backgrounds are not as strong or, in some cases, do not exist. There are examples of past wrestlers who also did not have high level athletic backgrounds but made up for it with their work.
As far as modern wrestlers being better workers, let me ask some questions. How many matches do you see where the rules of a professional wrestling match are not followed? How many matches need gimmicks like chairs, tables, and/or kendo sticks? Even the high-level WWE athletes use these shortcuts in their matches, but they are used on most AEW shows and it is rare to find an independent show where they are not used multiple times. If modern wrestlers are better workers, why do they need shortcuts?
Having said all that, the match between Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay, at AEW Dynasty on April 21, is one of my favorite matches. It is the highest level of modern work and ranks up there with any match of any previous era. Danielson and Ospreay not only followed the rules of a professional wrestling match, but they also did not use the modern shortcuts. Instead, they worked a match that every young wrestler should study. It looked and felt like a sports-based main event. It told a brilliant story that was different than the theatrical presentation of the WWE matches. It was everything that AEW could be as a true alternative to WWE.
Sadly, this match will be forgotten because of the promotion that presented it.
The Dynamite after the Dynasty pay-per-view, AEW began their work on making the match irrelevant. Instead of highlighting the match or the historic crowning of their first African-American heavyweight champion, the show opened with Chuck Taylor deciding who his best friend was. Even writing that sentence is absurd. After a generational match. After a historical moment in the company and wrestling history. The company sends out Trent Barretta to plead with Chuck Taylor to be his best friend while another wrestler, Orange Cassidy, comically lies on the canvas between them selling like he had been run over by a semi-truck.
It was such a juvenile scene. If you do not watch AEW, I am not making this up. This is not hyperbole for comic affect. This is what was advertised as one of the big moments of the show. Imagine a casual fan or someone who does not watch wrestling seeing this advertised. Try to think outside the AEW bubble for a moment. Someone tuning in to a preordained combat sport and this is how they are introduced to the show?
Fans will point out the many absurd and juvenile characters and angles in WWE history. They have a point. Even now, when the product is red-hot, WWE has a worked shoot angle involving Candice Lerae and Maxxine Dupri. It is impossible to understand why they think anyone would care or believe they are “shooting, brother.” There are other examples, like Chase U or anything involving R-Truth.
This, however, is part of the WWE style and has been for decades. AEW said it was going to be different. They claimed it would be sports-based. Yet, this show opening angle is typical of their presentation. Then there is Orange Cassidy, a 1990s WWF character. Or even more bizarre moments like grown men putting a dirty jockstrap in each other’s mouths. This is an alternative?
Dustin Rhodes is a blood mess against his brother Cody. Photo by Ricky Havlik, https://www.instagram.com/havlik_photo/
It is not the first time AEW has presented something that is state-of-the-art and would have worked in any era of professional wrestling. Cody Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes was another fantastic match and came at the most pivotal point in the development of the company. FTR and Bullet Club Gold put on a tag team match that has been called by Jim Cornette, AEW’s biggest and most vulgar critic, an all-time classic. There are many other examples as well. Each time, AEW immediately moves on and presents bad comedy and even worse booking. There is no fallout from these matches, only the bad segment.
Danielson and Ospreay took advantage of AEW’s open guidelines for matches. Unlike WWE, AEW allows their wrestlers to work their styles. In theory, this would lead to matches not being cookie cutter like the corporatized WWE matches. Yet not only is the fallout from matches like this booked poorly, but the roster is also allowed to attempt similar moves in matches with lesser athletes. The philosophy of allowing this is bad enough, but the matches are usually given too much time as well. This waters down a match like Danielson and Ospreay. Instead of a showcase match, fans have seen sloppier versions of the same match. Ospreay and Danielson are all-time great workers who deserve better than AEW.
I hope I am wrong. As I said, young wrestlers should study this match. Instead of learning to rely on gimmicks and constantly going outside the rules of a professional match, they should see that these things are not needed. They also need to know their own limitations. Part of studying this match is understanding some of the things these two greats did, they cannot do. Observe the subtle things these two did, like body shots or the tightness of the grappling.
Promoters as well should see that wrestling can be presented within the rules. Not every match needs gimmicks or fights outside the ring to be entertaining. In fact, I would suggest ratcheting down the style, so those things stand out more. Plus, look at the injury rates of modern promotions. There are so many instances where wrestlers have injured their necks and were centimeters away from something even worse. Not to mention the many torn tendons and broken bones.
I recommend the Danielson v. Ospreay to anyone who enjoys pro wrestling. New fans, old fans. Insider fans or casuals. This is a match that is the ultimate example of what a modern sports-based classic could be. It should be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, AEW has already diminished it like they always do.
TOP PHOTO: Bryan Danielson salutes Will Ospreay at AEW Dynasty. AEW photo by Ricky Havlik
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AEW Dynasty filled with some surprises and suffering in the squared circle