Britt Baker is being challenged by Nyla Rose, above, to win the women's AEW title. Screenshot: AEWAlthough you wouldn't expect a video package about a wrestling team being trapped in one place for 15 months to bring a tear to your eye, I think that is a testimony to the hard work of the AEW production team:AdvertisementIt's not a joyful recollection. Brodie Lee will be a great friend. It may be positioned that way, but it seems more like something we have lived with for so many years and had to make the most of. You end up missing anything that you have lived with for so long, regardless of how miserable it was. As Ron Livingston said in Swingers. Maybe that feeling is simply the relief and joy that it's over and that we can get out of it all.AEW has ended the TV Studio/pandemic show era. In two weeks, it will be over for WWE. It is unclear if either company will look to the future after this year and half or return to the services they provided before all went down.Innovation was evident on both sides, whether it was in the form of gimmick matches and cinematic ones. Stadium Stampede and Firefly Funhouse were just a few of the innovations that took place. It is clear that AEW will try to include this type of thing more than WWE. They are still young and have yet to prove themselves. They have to be willing to take risks.It can be quite startling to think about how many things have changed since lockdown. Who is at the top in WWE? Roman Reigns. This ignores the fact he is doing his best work and possibly the best of anyone. But that's not the case. Drew McIntyre still hovers at the top of Raw's card, just like he was after winning the Royal Rumble in January 2020. Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair is the feud at the top of Raw's women's division... exactly as it was before Wrestlemania 2020. When we see it, the AEW women's division is still a mess. Nyla Rose defended her title against Kris Statlander right before the pandemic. Britt Baker is currently challenging Nyla Rose for the title, while Statlander lurks in the background.AEW, however, has done a better job of producing new names while keeping the same people locked in place. After being introduced during the pandemic, Eddie Kingston is now the top card. Orange Cassidys star rose through it, with feuds between Chris Jericho (and Kenny Omega). Reigns might not be the best heel in the business. MJF may be. Jade Cargill will be the head of the industry one day if AEW doesn't pull the trigger. Baker is the star of the show, but she did most of it in a wheelchair after breaking her leg. Miro is back as TNT champion. Was there a true star that WWE created during this period? Bianca Belair and Apollo Crews followed by Bobby Lashley. He's been around for a while. He'd be the only name you would consider. WWE looked at other names, such as Cedric Alexander and Cesaro, Buddy Murphy and Mandy Rose and seemed to have put them all back in their box.AdvertisementIt's not that WWE was lacking in any way. The Thunderdome era saw many interesting angles. Sasha Banks was the main star and her feuds against Bayley and Belair will remain indelible. Reigns and Kevin Owens were the two mainstays. Randy Orton tried. MVP was the creator of The Hurt Business, which is one of the most unique factions WWE has ever had. WWE quickly disbanded it for reasons that no one can understand.That's the WWE story. It seems like very little of the interesting or fun stuff that they did in the Thunderdome will have any lasting impact. Except for Belair, the WWE wants to return it all.AdvertisementThis is when they aren't downsizing. However, this may be a good thing for AEWs as well. AEW could simply grab the best from WWE's overpriced material and give it a new coat. It is hard to believe Tommy End will not make a surprise appearance at All Out this Labor Day weekend. If he does, then AEW will be in complete disarray. Andrade is already in and it won't be long before he becomes one of the biggest stars in the company. Ruby Soho could be a major player in the women's division. AEW must have been dreaming of a full stage singing Ruby Soho together. If they are not, they all should reinterview to get their jobs.Omega and Adam Page were the main story before the pandemic and they look like the feud that will save the company. However, you'll soon see many more names vying for the top title. John Cena is being rumored to be joining WWE for SummerSlam. This is a huge statement.AdvertisementBoth companies deserve to be commended for being flexible and creative. However, some of that creativity has to be limited due to the number of jobs WWE took from people. Both companies will admit that it was not the same, and they are happy to be over it. However, even though things are back to normal and they're back to doing what these companies do best - there is still the feeling that neither one will be doing anything new.
