Kevin Sullivan is officially an AEW fan, but he feels there are still areas where the company can improve.
AEW might have only been around for four years, but the Tony Khan-led promotion has already taken the fight to WWE in a number of different ways. Perhaps most importantly it has given a number of top stars another place to work in North America and provided the most consistent competition to WWE since WCW in the 1990s. Although talk of a new “wrestling war” appears to be premature.
One man who knows a thing about taking the fight to WWE is Kevin Sullivan. The veteran wrestled for decades for the likes of Jim Crockett Promotions, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and perhaps most famously WCW. Sullivan also served as a booker for WCW in the 1990s.
With that in mind, in an exclusive new interview with Nick Hausman for Inside The Ropes, Sullivan was asked what he thought of the new kids on the block, AEW. The veteran explained that he liked the product, although he feels there needs to be better continuity around when and where AEW’s wrestlers will appear.
“Well, I like the product a lot, and it gives you another place to go. It gives you a different flavour. But I sometimes I see somebody I like and then I won’t see them on TV for a month. There’s too many guys, they need to get their shows solidified, and decide who’s going to be on one show.”
Turning to food for his inspiration, Sullivan agreed that he hopes more stars get a chance to shine on Collision, and explained that AEW offers a good alternative to WWE.
“I do too. I mean, the difference is — okay — you like vanilla ice cream? So are you going to eat anilla ice cream every day for the rest of your life? Or maybe would you like cheesecake? You gotta get different flavour or different taste.”
What Makes AEW’s Success So Impressive?
Kevin Sullivan added that AEW’s success is even more impressive given that it’s currently up against what he feels is the best story ever told in wrestling, The Bloodline. He explained that despite this competition, the company has carved out a space for itself and it’s continuing to grow with its own fanbase.
“Here’s the other thing, I think they’re doing a hell of a job for the short time they’ve been around.
They’ve been hit with what I think is the greatest angle of all time, The Bloodline, and they still are holding on. I don’t mean just holding on.
There seems to be a positive move. They got a group of fans that are very much their own.”
The interview was edited for length and clarity.
If you use any of the quotes from this article please give a h/t and link back to Inside The Ropes.