A former AEW star has expressed his criticism about a show that the promotion produces every week, as he feels it isn’t what it was supposed to be.
AEW Dark has gone from a developmental show with some storylines that go along with what’s happening on Dynamite into a show where stars win quick squash matches against independent wrestlers who are not under contract with the promotion.
The change in the show came during the pandemic as AEW President Tony Khan tried to do a good thing by booking independent wrestlers at a time when they didn’t have any work because the world was shut down.
Joey Janela recently took to Twitter to express his disappointment with what AEW Dark has become. He responded to a tweet showcasing the work of Rey Fenix and AR Fox by writing the following:
“This is what dark should be, all around competitive action packed sprints, and maybe a one longer type storyline based match weekly. What that show does is nothing for anyone anymore, tbh it’s stale ass! Squash matches do nothing for anyone in 2022, especially on a YouTube show.”
Janela continued by pitching format changes to the show:
This is what dark should be, all around competitive action packed sprints, and maybe a one longer type storyline based match weekly. What that show does is nothing for anyone anymore, tbh it’s stale ass! Squash matches do nothing for anyone in 2022, especially on a YouTube show. https://t.co/vE1zdSYyJ1
— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) November 2, 2022
No one wants to watch fucking squash matches on YouTube in 2022, I understand if you’re introducing a new wrestler on tv then I’m all for squash matches. This is the reason for talent degression doing nothing but pointless bullshit for the sake of it.
— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) November 2, 2022
I always made it a point to make my matches with local talents 60/40 or even 50/50, because I’m a fan myself and I know that I would never waste my time watching something presented like that & was constantly watching me get shittier in ring. That’s my Wednesday morning rant!
— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) November 2, 2022
AEW Dark continues to garner a solid audience on YouTube after nearly 200 episodes. After joining AEW in 2019, Janela’s AEW contract expired on May 1, 2022.
