Have pretty much the same story bringing me into AEW as you. A few of the big names on your list are currently our and injured, (Omega, MJF, Cole), which is really hurting them at the moment but even so the roster is still pretty remarkable.
They just have really been struggling in the story department lately. Hopefully they can turn it around soon. WWE is really hot right now and it would be great for everyone to have some competition like the old "Monday Night Wars" days.
I am interested in checking out this past mania even though I haven't watched WWE in a while. From the sounds of it the show was pretty good.