Following the AEW Worlds End event, there has been a notable wave of dissatisfaction among fans and commentators regarding the execution of long-term storylines and reveals. Criticism was directed at the handling of Samoa Joe's title win, which some felt was undermined and should have been more significant than being overshadowed by other story elements. The event's climax, The Devil reveal, was received with mixed reactions, with some describing it as 'fine' but lacking the impactful ending that was needed. Despite the high expectations set by AEW's previous pay-per-view events since its 2019 inception, viewers expressed that this event did not provide the expected value for money, with some even labeling it as potentially AEW's worst PPV to date, ending AEW's 'Helluva run' of successful events. The trade-off in the storyline, where Samoa Joe worked with the Devil and his henchmen to receive the AEW World Title in exchange for the ROH Tag Team Titles, was likened to a lopsided trade, highlighting the dissatisfaction with the story's outcome. Additionally, the event featured references to other wrestling storylines such as Stone Cold Drive By, Black Scorpion, Aces & Eights, and The Third Man, with the latter being the only one positively received. Furthermore, there was a mention of Cody not being able to finish the story at Mania this year, adding to the overall sense of unfinished narratives.
Cody finding out heβs not gonna finish the story at Mania this year either. https://t.co/B4eIzthPYm
theyβre getting in one last eye-rolling mjf worked shoot before the year ends (PT)
π New @GettingOverCast: AEW Worlds End Instant Reaction π Devil reveal was... fine π₯ Copeland and Christian was a banger π AEW's worst PPV ever? (A high bar) π§ Listen: https://t.co/jCIVBGUnoX https://t.co/mINsNJZxLO
The Devil being revealed, new world champ canβt save disappointing AEW Worlds End https://t.co/gfyUn9kz3r https://t.co/GElACp9UaW
AEW started in 2019. Tonight for the first time, we didn't receive our money's worth from a PPV. Helluva run. Still, disappointing. The devil is in the details.
Tonight was yet another reminder that pro wrestling is, in general, not all that good at completing long-term reveal storylines. #AEWWorldsEnd The Devil: π Higher Power: π Stone Cold Drive By: π Black Scorpion: π Aces & Eights: π The Third Man: π―
Tonight was yet another reminder that pro wrestling is, in general, not all that good at completing long-term reveal storylines.
The end result of The Devil reveal made the most sense based off the story. Problem is: The story was too long, changed paths several times, and the ending wasnβt shocking or executed well when it really, really needed to be. #AEWWorldsEnd
So in storyline, Samoa Joe worked with the Devil and his henchmen and in return he got the AEW World Title and they got...the ROH Tag Team Titles. Not since I traded Bill and Ted on the NES for Super Mario 3 has there been such a swindle.
Samoa Joe deserves better than to have his title win be an also ran part of the story, I'd rather have had him just lose than this