What AEW can do to draw more fans

AEW has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. First, it decided to show the footage of CM Punk's altercation with Jack Perry from All In 2023. Then, it allowed Will Ospreay to call out Triple H in a live promo. After a strong start to 2024, with multiple top free agents walking through the door, AEW still finds ways to stumble. 

Some things need to change if they want to continue building toward long-term sustainability. Here are three things Tony Khan can do to help draw new fans to the brand. 

3. Shrink the roster

Put bluntly, there are too many people on the AEW roster. It's hard to get invested in a wrestler when it's off TV for six to eight months at a time. It loses momentum. And it's incredibly frustrating to see people return out of the cold for no reason other than they fit the prototype for a random match that's leading nowhere.

AEW would be better served having a condensed roster. It could build deeper relationships between the wrestlers and fans. Most importantly, it could begin creating or leaning into the star power on its roster and drawing new fans. 

2. Focus on one or two primary storylines

AEW is an alternative to WWE, but that doesn't mean there can't be some primary storylines propelling the company forward. The company's primary goal should be to find angles that resonate with casual fans, pop on social media, and draw interest from around the world. Ospreay and potentially MJF (assuming he returns) are the ideal figureheads to lead that push for the male wrestlers. Mercedes Mone is perfectly placed to do the same with the women's division. 

1. Stop caring about WWE

AEW spends too much time caring about what is happening at WWE. Khan has had numerous social media rants since the company's launch. They have done multiple thinly-veiled promos, taking jabs. And too much focus is put on the negative stuff fans say on social media. 

Khan has assembled some exceptionally gifted wrestlers. The roster is full of elite talent. The priority should be focusing on its shows and its brand. If the brand can stop tripping over itself, it should be able to start pulling in some new casual fans in the coming months. The focus must be on its talent, not what's happening elsewhere in the industry.