2023 has been an up and down year for AEW thus far, with some truly stunning all-time great matches taking place, though from a week-to-week booking perspective things have arguably been weaker than they’ve been over the last four years of AEW’s existence.
This has led to some more booking errors taking place from Tony Khan. It must be said that for the most part these have been more minor, but there are some which stand out a little more than others so far in 2023, whether that be the choice in a winner of a match, a poor storyline or simply just a badly booked wrestler full stop.
10 Not Keeping The Acclaimed’s Momentum
In 2022, The Acclaimed were one of, if not the hottest babyface act in the whole of AEW. They were a homegrown act who took the tag team division by storm, and their partnership with Billy Gunn was absolute gold.
2023 has not been the same for them. Since losing the AEW World Tag Team Titles earlier in the year, the team has struggled for momentum. Sure, they’ve been featured here and there but not prominently in a storyline. When AEW did have the chance to have a trios storyline with the House of Black, they instead opted to run an open challenge angle rather than build a feud.
9 The Hardy Boyz And Contract Storylines
Fans have just about seen enough of Matt Hardy and storylines with contracts. In what feels like a never-ending storyline with Ethan Page and The Firm, contracts have been at the center of the story – something which has happened continuously since he joined AEW.
This has made fans tired of seeing Matt Hardy, and it has also derailed what was a hot return to the company for Jeff Hardy too.
8 Not Booking Swerve Strickland Vs. Keith Lee
The feud between Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee has been going on since the back end of 2022. At times, the feud has been on and off, going weeks without a mention before returning back to it.
In the six or seven months since this feud began, AEW still hasn’t pulled the trigger on a singles match between the two which has been a complete joke in truth, as the whole thing is starting to feel like a waste of time since it has lost all its momentum.
7 Randomly Bringing In Sabu
Considering some of the names they were sacked by AEW during the Speaking Out movement a few years back, it seems like AEW’s tolerance for controversial figures was thrown out the window when the outspoken Sabu randomly appeared in AEW.
His inclusion in the Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho storyline made absolutely zero sense, with there being no reason to book him at all in truth. It was a weird decision and one which shouldn’t have happened.
6 Slow Jay White Introduction To AEW
Jay White was the hottest free agent on the market prior to signing with AEW, but you wouldn’t think that he’s considered one of the best in the world based on how he’s been presented in AEW.
A meandering feud with Ricky Starks and the creation of ‘Bullet Club Gold’ has left White’s start in AEW feeling a little slow and uninteresting. He hasn’t stood out in the ring or on the mic yet in AEW, and it is down to poor booking.
5 Sucking The Tag Team Division Dry
AEW’s tag team division was once unequivocally the best tag team division on the entire planet. Today, due to other divisions, ROH and gang warfare outside of the title scene, the division is bone dry.
The only team that has recently gone for the belts is Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal, and FTR don’t have many challengers coming their way. This has devalued the division and belts in recent months, and it is because the booking has been lackluster.
4 TNT Championship Still Playing Hot Potato
At the start of 2023, the TNT Championship was at its lowest level. Six months in it is still not where it should be, and that is due to AEW playing hot-potato with the belt once again.
There have been five reigns already this year, none of which aside from Darby Allin’s reign were particularly entertaining. The matches haven’t been too exciting, with the quality of opponents being very low compared to other title scenes.
3 Powerhouse Hobbs Aligning With QT Marshall
Powerhouse Hobbs was gaining some decent momentum in 2023, and he looked set to win the TNT Championship from Wardlow in what could have well been a star-making moment.
However, AEW completely screwed up the moment by having QT Marshall interfere in the match, take the spotlight, and become the de facto manager of Hobbs. This alliance has been terrible, with Hobbs not fitting in with the whole “QTV” gimmick in the slightest.
2 Finish Of Adam Cole Vs. Chris Jericho
At Double or Nothing 2023, Adam Cole and Chris Jericho battled in what was supposed to be a blood-feud finishing unsanctioned match. The match was a complete mess, but it was made worse by the finish.
Cole delivered some of the most lethargic looking punches to Jericho, leading to the referee stopping the match… in an unsanctioned bout where the referee is only supposed to count the fall. It was a horrendous finish and it left the crowd booing.
1 Everything About The Outcasts
The Outcasts could have really been special in AEW, but instead of a force to drive a change in the division, 2023 has seen them booked like the most stereotypical and cliche heels.
They deliver basic insults, all they do is attack wrestlers after the bell and the act has become so tiresome at this point. AEW and Tony Khan really dropped the ball on the booking of The Outcasts.