In case you wondered about AEW aprons and LED boards, this is the story for you, buddy (Patreon)

Over the last year or so, there had been a variety of changes to AEW production, as there will be with any company. Pyro adjustments, lighting from week to week, and the like. One of the adjustments on AEW TV for a while were the the lack of LED aprons and barricades. Instead, the company reverted to the original methods of barricades, and simpler ring aprons. 

However, with the new HBO Max TV deal that kicked in this year, those LED boards returned. At Forbidden Door, a member of Fightful staff noted the difference in how wrestlers would take being thrown into them. For good reason – they suck to hit. 

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp recently asked around about some of the changes, and was told that the apron and barricade adjustments were for wrestler safety and audience reaction. There were a number of wrestlers that got banged up on the barricades and aprons, which are harder and stick out more than the standard. Talent and staff told Fightful that they much prefer the standard barricades, but understand the visual need for LED boards.