Matt Hardy Admits AEW Needs To Appeal To Casual Fans

AEW is still grinding every week to provide pro wrestling entertainment for fans. Their spectacular reception at Wembley Stadium also turned heads. That being said, there is a long way to go.

On his podcast, Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Matt Hardy was questioned whether he believes the company is predominantly attracting their hardcore followers and not sufficiently appealing to casual fans. Matt Hardy had quite a response.

Although some might like to look at AEW with rose-colored glasses, the fact is that the company has a long way to go before they can really connect with mainstream fans.

“That’s a positive for AEW without a doubt that the Turner folk are all about the hardcore pro wrestling fan base. The hardcore fan base, they’re gonna tune in each and every week, even if they complain about the show, even if they pretend to hate the show, whatever it may be, they’re gonna tune in because at the end of the day, they love pro wrestling. Those are the fans that you always have to appreciate because they are always going to be there.”

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“You know, me, I’m a big advocate, especially after being around for 31 years, I do think to grow the pro wrestling fan base of AEW, I do think we need to appeal to some more casual fans who might not be all about just the wrestling and the five star matches. I think you can garner some fans and gain some fans by having characters that are on a journey that is extremely compelling. I think that is something that is important and that is done in AEW. I’m not acting like it isn’t done. That is done in AEW, but I still think at the end of the day, AEW focuses on giving a great wrestling product when it’s all said and done. I think that’s cool that the people from Warner Media and Turner that they’re leaning into that and that’s what they approve of.” 

We will have to see if AEW can finally break into the mainstream. It will take years to accomplish that, but Tony Khan seems determined to make that happy.

Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy are also reunited. That could help gain mainstream attention, since they are famous for their work in WWE. Perhaps, someday, AEW will have stars who are famous for their work in All Elite Wrestling, and that would be a big goal.

What’s your take on AEW’s progress? Do they still have a long way to go? Sound off in the comments!