LogFAQs > #922289629

So, I've been seeing some polarizing reactions, here and elsewhere, to the idea that AEWs going to have a very sports-oriented presentation up to and including win/loss records. A lot of folks seem to think this wont work, saying its either actively oppositional to the fundamentals of pro wrestling and/or that the average fan simply wont care.

I'm a sports fan and pretty big stat geek like Tony Khan, so I myself am very excited for the idea, and Cody himself said that he doesnt necessarily see it as a cornerstone. That, to me, indicates that itll be used more as a supplement to storylines than something that theyre all going to completely revolve around.

To that end, Ive thrown together some thoughts and examples on how I think stats and W/L records can and might be used to enhance the eventual AEW product without taking it over. If nothing else I hope it'll convince people that it isn't total wrestling anathema.

In-Ring Work
- Something Ive seen fairly frequently on wrestling forums like this one is that fans would like to see more matches end on moves that arent finishers. AEW is in a good position to push that sort of idea. Imagine an inclusion in a Tale of the Tape-style graphic to the effect of: Kenny Omega wins 70% of the time with the OWA, 15% with V-Trigger, 10% with Croyts Wrath, 5% with another move
- Maybe Scorpio Sky takes the pin in 70% of SCUs losses. Over time, their opponents might try to specifically isolate Sky in matches against SCU more so than his partners.
- How someone loses matches could become especially important. If the Best Friends lose an abnormally high percentage of matches by submission, maybe the Bucks, for example, try to target Trent and Chucks backs in setup for their Sharpshooters instead of going for the Meltzer Driver as much
- Match length could come into play. If, say, older wrestlers like CIMA or Jericho have a poor record in matches that go over 20 minutes, other talent that would normally wrestle at a higher pace might try to slow things down against them

Storylines
- Streaks. Ive seen a ton of people wondering how AEW will manage to cycle talent in and out of being pushed with W/L records; specifically, how can you ever push a former low-card guy if his record sucks? Well, the great thing about stats is that they can be manipulated to suit a narrative. A 22-28 record may look a little rough for someone making a run at a midcard belt, but its not that hard to insert a mention that hes won 9 in a row and 12 of his last 13 or something like that. You can even combine that with other ideas here to really sell it (for example, hes using a new finisher thats particularly effective).
- Similarly, itd be a good way to ease wrestlers returning from injury back in. Maybe Kylie Rae has to vacate the womens title after a shoulder injury and then the next title program gets really hot so they dont want to insert her back in immediately upon return. Have her go 2-5 in her first seven matches or whatever and sell it as her being rusty or still slightly hurt, then let her start winning again when its convenient and sell it as her finally being fully healthy
- Keep fans invested in low-card wrestlers by implying their jobs may be in danger. Someone in MMA with a terrible W/L record is in danger of never getting booked again, and that could work here, too. EVOLVE used to do something similar - I remember it with Jason Kincaid specifically. Hed lose a lot of matches, commentary would sell that he may lose his booking for good if it were to continue, and then hed win a couple of opener 4-ways to buy himself some time. Someone like Brandon Cutler, a family man, can draw a lot of support from that sort of thing.
- Maybe Darby Allin has a terrible record against wrestlers considered high-flyers. Hes going into a title match for the midcard belt against Sammy Guevara. Boom, instant story.
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