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The latest thing is for AEW fans to defend the lack of depth to the New Japan crossover with telling people to Google someone if they don’t understand them or their motivations. I don’t think they understand that this sort of dense presentation hurts the accessibility of the product though — which is part of what you’re seeing impact the ratings. They’re labelling the fans who don’t bite into this product with a lack of story as “casuals” and CM Punk has given them permission to say that casuals don’t exist and aren’t desirable.
You have AEW defenders literally saying things like “Fuck the casuals.” It’s insane levels of gatekeeping and a great way to be left with a base that isn’t going to be able to justify your product having a platform.
Hardcore AEW fanboys are increasingly leaning on metrics they think make them look good — for example, ticket sales for shows like Forbidden Door. The evidence definitely suggests that these shows are scooped up by scalpers and possibly AEW themselves and the sellout doesn’t measure genuine interest. Forbidden Door tickets are listed on the secondary market for as little as $15.
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