Five Reasons Why AEW Should Produce Wrestling Documentaries

All Elite Wrestling (AEW), despite being a company over six years old, is full of history and references to said history. From pre-existing storylines to legendary wrestlers from all over to existing relationships with other promotions, AEW boasts a wealth of stories that would surely make for informative and entertaining wrestling documentaries.

Of course, wrestling promotions producing documentaries is hardly anything new. WWE is often lauded for its massive library of similar material.

While some of the stories told in their branded documentaries may extend to exaggerations or outright lies, they’re undoubtedly popular. For some wrestling fans, these are often the gateway to research angles, matches, and wrestlers. I’m no exception to this.

Because of this, I believe there are several plausible reasons for AEW to create its own library of documentaries. 

Bringing New Fans up to Speed

Until AEW’s content library was shared to MAX in 2024, fans had only TBS.com and Fite TV (now known as Triller). With fresh fans entering the fandom, AEW can succinctly tell stories that may leave newbies wanting to see these matches and stories for themselves.

Furthermore, this peering through the window can provide fans with a deeper understanding of what AEW is all about. Most of how pro wrestling is perceived has been dictated for decades by WWE (depending on where you live). AEW, the alternative, can expand what fans came to know and expect, flipping it on its head. 

With how fans gravitate toward certain wrestlers, hype can drive interest. Kenny Omega, for example, has made a mark. Not only would a documentary on him be a gateway to AEW, but it could also benefit their partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. That could extend to Stardom and CMLL.

Since AEW also owns Ring of Honor, producing this content could benefit this extra brand. This would also be a prime opportunity to introduce or generate appeal for lesser-used talent, such as Nyla Rose and AR Fox, who likely have compelling stories to tell if they’d wish to share them.

Connecting with AEW Wrestlers

Piggybacking off of my previous point, fans may find new favorites after hearing the backgrounds of wrestlers. Sharing feelings and opinions on life as a wrestler adds relatability to their journeys. Fans dig that sort of thing.

Not only that, but it captures significant points in time within wrestlers’ lives. Watching Beyond the Mat decades later, I noticed that Terry Funk, Jake Roberts, and Mick Foley’s careers and lives had changed so much since that 1999 film. Which, of course, is natural and obvious. Duh, Corey.

These snapshots capture who people were at a certain point. This extends to the work put into wrestling careers. Most prominent among wrestling stories in AEW has been Hangman Page’s fall and rise to AEW World Champion.

One of AEW’s most well-built, long-running stories, Page’s journey featured several key moments in his life, let alone career. Becoming a father, AEW’s loss of Brodie Lee, and the real-life confidence reflected in his growing quality of promo work—I’d love to hear his thoughts on these things.

Most recently, Toni Storm and Mariah May’s year-long story has merit in the intricacies of their story. Fans of classic cinema and glamorous demure aesthetics may flock to a documentary on this rivalry. Furthermore, women seeing stories where they get to be wholly feminine while badass is an appeal that is not only compelling but inclusive.

With the sapphic elements of their storyline, including Mina Shirakawa, LGBT fans can see themselves in a story with twists and turns that showcase just what women’s and LGBT wrestling can provide when given the time and attention.

Different, New Insights and Stories

It’s one thing to see the stories play out on television. It’s another to see interviews and hype packages displaying a vulnerability and intimacy with a wrestler ahead of a match. But to lift the veil, new perspectives can add further layers.

Hangman Page is just one example. To further expand on Brodie Lee’s time in the company and his life as a husband, father, and friend, the time capsule of his tenure at AEW can document this important part of the company’s history.

How cool would it be to find out the story of how the first All In came to be? Or the details behind AEW’s genesis? Or decades later, the Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson rivalry in Ring of Honor?

Understandably, there would be events that would be best left alone, such as the backstage drama at All Out 2022 and All In 2023; there’s nothing left to be said about those, but I wanted to address the elephant in the room on that one.

As times change, so do people. Seeing how a wrestler might see themselves at a certain point, how they’ve learned and grown, that type of evolution can add depth that informs storylines.

Perhaps even influence them. Additionally, more perspectives on certain areas can create intrigue, for instance, the time of Cody Rhodes in AEW or how roster members may have felt about the ranking system.

Capturing Potential Audiences Through Retail and Streaming

AEW’s accessibility stretches far and wide. MAX. Amazon Prime. The TBS and TNT networks. Triller.

Now more than ever, wrestling fans have easier ways to consume the promotions they follow. Of course, there are ways to maximize AEW’s current deals to spread more awareness of its product.

While AEW had reality TV shows featured on MAX in the past, and past wrestling episodes and events are streamable, it need not stop there. They can continue it, showcasing aspects of the company and its roster through documentaries. There are eye-catching wrestlers, and there are legends fans are already familiar with like Sting, Mercedes Mone, and Samoa Joe.

And then some aspects would inspire curiosity, namely, the Daily’s Place and its importance. Or how the company handled the COVID-19 lockdown from 2020-21.

I would like to hear about Swerve Strickland’s hip-hop connections and how they affected the product in the past. Perhaps some specials on AEW Dark and AEW Rampage can inform newer fans of these parts of AEW that are now long gone. Loads of potential might entice even the more casual user.

More Content for Long-Time Fans

As a wrestling fan who’s eagerly followed my favorite wrestlers in AEW for years, I’d love to hear the inside stories behind the matches, moments, and people in the company I enjoy. It’d be interesting to see the important periods of AEW’s history under a deeper lens. I’d imagine AEW or wrestlers would have access to all the behind-the-scenes content we haven’t seen before. 

And that’s exciting. Imagine the “what could have been.” No matter how bad, it’d be a part of AEW I’d not seen before.

We’ve followed the angles unfold. We’ve made our chants and inside jokes. Long-time AEW viewers have watched the programs during even the nastiest warts, waiting for them to pop. Getting a chance to see how things came about in AEW’s history would reward our consistent viewing. 

A well-produced documentary extends that same interest. Fans want more of the company or its wrestlers. Fans have clamored for more ways to support the brand.

One such thing is uploading more full matches to YouTube. I suspect there would be interest in AEW documentaries.

With the money likely earned by streaming and television, combined with sponsorships, it shouldn’t be too costly. It may even be a net positive.

Conclusion

AEW producing documentaries is completely optional. I’m by no means telling them to upend their business cycle to include a small thing.

However, I’ve written this to provide advantages that could benefit the company’s budget, perhaps even the folks at Warner Bros Discovery. Moreover, it could satisfy old, new, and undiscovered fans alike.

As AEW makes strides in evolving its presence in pop culture and the wrestling elite, having things in place like this will only benefit in the long run. What’s more is that AEW has stars that WWE doesn’t. They can capitalize on the talents in and out of the ring, showing the world that there’s more than one big kid in town.

By sharing the stories that make AEW, AEW, the company would gain positive PR. The environment that the company’s roster enjoys can be highlighted as wrestlers describe their creativity, heart, and commitment to elite excellence.