Given the recent batch of WWE releases, it’s only natural that AEW fans have started speculating about whom the company could be picking up once non-competes expire. Fans and wrestlers alike seem against the idea of picking up Alestair Black following his previous stint in the company, as there was no shortage of rumors about him refusing to put other stars over. On the flip side, there’s plenty of interest in Kairi Sane to add more strength to the women’s division in Toni Storm’s absence, while fans of tag team wrestling are eager to potentially see the Motor City Machine Guns and New Day in some dream matches. It’s that latter group that’s particularly exciting for gamers, as Xavier Woods, AKA Austin Creed, could help the company secure another video game.
(Former, in kayfabe) AEW EVPs The Young Bucks strengthened rumors about some big Tag Team signings in the near future by retweeting an old post about “changing the world” shortly after the news that The New Day walked out of WWE.
Whether it’s Up Up Down Down or his infamous losing efforts against Kenny Omega in fighting games, Creed is a fixture of the gaming scene just as much as he is a beloved wrestler. AEW has no shortage of gamers, whether it be Ricochet, Adam Cole, or The Cleaner himself, but few have the connections Creed does. It’s not unreasonable that Kenny Omega and others are pushing for a new AEW video game behind the scenes, especially after Fight Forever received such a mixed response. So, if Creed really does get signed to the company, him joining that potential push could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, getting AEW fans another game that hopefully captures the greatness of the company’s stars and matches.
There’s No Better Time For a WWE 2K Competitor To Be Announced Than Right Now
With AEW still holding out on news about its next game, this period after one of its biggest events may be the right time to make a move.
Why Another AEW Video Game is a Must
Austin Creed leading a campaign for a new AEW video game that can serve as a proper alternative to the WWE 2K series would be a huge win, as it’s no secret that Fight Forever was a bit of a letdown. Its issues include, but aren’t limited to:
- A lack of polish, with no commentary, painfully brief entrances, and dated visuals.
- An extremely limited character creator without the option to download designs from other players.
- A lack of match types and game modes — specifically, no GM mode served as a major letdown.
- Expensive DLC packs featuring integral members of the AEW roster.
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AEW has been thriving in recent years, with incredible signings like Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, Mercedes Mone, Thekla, and more all completely inaccessible in Fight Forever. This, on top of significant gimmick changes for wrestlers like Toni Storm, rapidly rising stars like Kyle Fletcher, and a host of new championships and PPVs make it so that the current AEW game feels painfully outdated. While there’s something to be said for yearly sports games changing too little and essentially being cash grabs, 3-year gaps for a rapidly evolving wrestling company are too much. Bi-annual releases would be healthier once a viable format is found, but for that to happen, another shot must be taken to begin with.
While there’s nothing wrong with AEW trying to maintain the old-school vibe of Fight Forever to stand out from the simulator-like WWE 2K franchise, it will hopefully modernize in other ways. With excellent commentators like Excalibur, Taz, Nigel McGuinness, and now Bryan Danielson, there’s no reason there shouldn’t be some voiceover for matches. Similarly, with how integral character creators and GM Modes are to the wrestling game genre, both of these mechanics would be a must. If these important boxes are ticked, as well as some other improvements like better visuals and fleshed-out entrances, Fight Forever’s successor could be a drastic improvement.
The New Day Would Be The Tip of the Iceberg for The Next AEW Game’s Roster
Megan Bayne. Willow Nightingale. Speedball Mike Bailey. Bandido. Brody King. Konosuke Takeshita. The Hurt Syndicate. So many fixtures of the current AEW product aren’t available in Fight Forever, while figures that have long since gone to WWE, like CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Danhausen, are platformed. When coupled with its missing or limited features, Fight Forever feels older than it actually is. If Austin Creed and Kofi Kingston do make their way to AEW, hopefully the former’s love for video games sees him pushing for a new game with an appropriately stacked roster and a more modern feel. With AEW thriving, now is the perfect time to give video games another shot.
- Released
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June 29, 2023
- ESRB
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