Extent of Creative Control for AEW Talents in the Company Revealed

There are a lot of differences between AEW and WWE and one of the main factors is the fact that AEW offers their talent more creative freedom to express themselves in WWE, compared to WWE’s heavily scripted nature. With that said, an AEW star has confirmed whether all wrestlers have creative control there.

The concept of creative control in professional wrestling is certainly not an old one, as many people look at it with a very divisive view for good reason. The topic gained speed again recently after Mercedes Mone stated that she has creative control in AEW.

While speaking to Neal Brennan, Chris Jericho talked about the difference between WWE and AEW, giving emphasis on how AEW allows more creative input from the talent. In WWE, wrestlers typically wait to learn their roles from the writers, whereas in AEW, Jericho submits ideas and, if approved, knows his direction for the next eight weeks.

Jericho confirmed that not everyone in AEW has creative control and can do this; it requires earning respect and reaching a certain level of experience. Jericho noted that many wrestlers in the industry, including AEW, wait for assignments rather than creating their own ideas as many aren’t even expected to come up with their own stuff until they get to a certain level.

“It’s a completely different animal. Like in WWE, you would wait and find out what the writers had for you. Yeah, in AEW, I’m submitting ideas, and if my boss approves it, then I know what I’m doing for the next eight weeks. You know, if you’re painting a picture.”

“[Can all guys do that?] No, not all guys can do that. You have to be at a certain level, you know, you have to earn that respect. Another thing too is a lot of people just kind of wait around for whatever they’re given. That’s something about wrestling. You’re not expected to come up with your own stuff. That’s not really how the business works until you get to a certain level. Then you can, then you are expected to come up with stuff.”

Jericho even revealed how AEW has better travel arrangements than WWE. Nevertheless, creative control can certainly be a double-edged sword in the world of professional wrestling, but Jericho has made it abundantly clear that not every talent in AEW has that privilege and won’t until they’re at a proper level, which is ultimately for the best.

Do you believe more AEW stars should have creative control in AEW? Let us know in the comments section below!

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