Hi folks! Today, we’re looking at 5 AEW Wrestlers who are killing it with their characters. Please know that this is a highly subjective list and everyone has their preferences. This isn’t about who has the best wrestling skills, or measuring popularity, but the creativity and execution of characters they bring to television. This is the third in this line of articles. If you did not catch the previous two, you can find them here:
Top 5 WWE Superstars / Top 10 NXT Superstars
Honorable Mentions
Chris Jericho & Jon Moxley: Since the unfortunate circumstances of CM Punk & The Elite, AEW has needed its veterans. Jericho & Moxley have stepped in to fill that gap and done so with care and professionalism. Taking it upon themselves to show others the way, their characters have become as fruitful as they ever have been for AEW.
Jericho keeps on doing what he always has, reinventing himself to stay fresh. Moxley’s passion burns brightly whenever he holds the mic. He’s showing what it means to be AEW World Champion, and I’d say it’s some of his best work in 3 years. They both draw on their experience to make us feel whatever they need us too, and I find it just to mention their contributions here.
Hook, Orange Cassidy & Danhausen: While these characters highly rely on their gimmicks, it’s the way they carry themselves that makes them appealing. Despite having hardly any serious development, they bring something to the product that nobody else can. Because their gimmicks are portrayed so well, stories can be easily implemented.
There’s so much AEW can do with these guys, but for now, it feels like they are waiting for the right opportunity. It’s almost an injustice that they don’t have the writing staff to get the most out of them. Still, I wanted to feature them here because their characters are unique enough to carry them through any lack of creative substance on AEW’s part.
#5. Christian Cage
Wow, who would have thought that in 2022, Christian Cage would still be one of the best heels in the business? Some of his best work has always been while drawing the ire of wrestling fans. With his decades of experience, he has all the tools to push the right buttons. It’s something AEW needed to push Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus to the next level. Jurassic Express had a ceiling, and they were close to it, so adding Christian Cage pushed their ceiling higher.
Only he could split them up and force their hands to reinvent. To become serious competitors standing on their own two feet. And we have to remember how loved he was when he returned. Wrestling fans loved seeing his return to the ring. But, let’s be fair, babyface Christian can only do so much. At this point in his career, he sets an example for how heels should work.
Unapologetically brutal, AEW’s Christian Cage leaves no stone unturned. There’s no bridge that he won’t cross to play mind games. He’s manipulative, callous, and cocky. You wouldn’t wish him on your worst enemy. This version of Christian has, and always is, the proof that he never needed to be in anyone’s shadow. He’s one of the most professional wrestlers of the past 25 years. He’s someone the next generation should study.
#4. Daniel Garcia
In 2022, I don’t believe anybody has had more character development in AEW than Daniel Garcia. Originally showing up with 2point0, he quickly made a name for himself for his solid ring work. Others, like Bryan Danielson, spoke highly of him by saying he would fit in a new stable he was considering. Chris Jericho got there first and recruited him to the Jericho Appreciation Society. He quickly showed his charisma by being the best sports entertainer he could be. But then one day, he had a match with Bryan Danielson and everything changed.
After the American Dragon called him a real “wrestler”, this took off with fans. He showed conflict for months over whether he is a wrestler or sports entertainer. The dissension between him and Chris Jericho was slow, but not to where fans lost interest. The underlying dynamic kept things going, as we waited for when Garcia would inevitably turn on his sports entertainment mentor. Twice now, it has looked like he would turn full babyface, only to reject the wrestler’s philosophy by showing his appreciation to Chris Jericho.
This simple conflict over whether Garcia is a wrestler or sports entertainer has turned this 24-year-old from being another face in the crowd to one of AEW’s most interesting characters. Not being able to pick his path is a matter of confusion, but that’s understandable, given he’s a young guy making his way in the world. And although it looks like he has fully sided with the JAS again, there’s plenty of time for Garcia to reconsider.
It’s my belief that AEW is milking this for all of its worth, but they want the full babyface turn to be a defining moment. When the bubble they are blowing reaches its peak… when it’s on the edge of not being able to grow any further, that is when they will prick it. They have to be sure, and I applaud them for having the patience to wait with a kid who will play an enormous role in AEW’s future.
#3. MJF
Man, what can we say about MJF? The guy is a diamond. His only downfall is his ego possibly impeding what matters. He knows how great he is, and he knows everyone thinks that too, but it doesn’t currently look as if there’s any complacency creeping in.
Since returning to AEW after a controversial walk out, MJF has been given plenty of time (almost every week) to talk. And that’s what AEW needs, and what he craves, because it allows him not only to showcase his talent, but to improve. Yes, I say that MJF is not yet at his best. You can never be satisfied in this game. There’s always room to improve. For example, imagine how much better he would be with Christian Cage’s experience. Sometimes, it’s more about the tone than what you say. Body language and telling a story with your eyes is something that MJF will get better with.
Less can often be more. A promo can be overcooked. To me, it feels like MJF’s promos would hit harder if they were shorter, but what do I know? He’s a student of the game. He’d tell me I’m nothing more than a mark who hasn’t a clue. I’m merely saying how I feel as someone who has watched wrestling longer than he’s been alive. He is one of the best promo guys in the business right now, but he hasn’t perfected his skill set. It’s scary how good he is and what he could become. I’m sure Roddy Piper would be proud of him. I hope he’s never satisfied and keeps striving for perfection.
I wrote the above three paragraphs before this week’s Dynamite. Seeing William Regal put him in his place was funny because he told him exactly what I hoped he would. He still has a lot to prove and I’m looking forward to him living up to his potential in AEW.
#1 & 2. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster)
Scissor Me Daddy Ass! Who would have thought that we’d see fans joining in unison as they scissor each other? It’s a wonderful sight. The Acclaimed are bringing people together in the right way. Yet, there’s more to this team than meets the eye. While Max Caster has been killing it with his raps for years, it’s Anthony Bowens who was holding them back. He wasn’t bringing enough to the table. Luckily, and rather by accident, he found the scissor routine.
What this provides The Acclaimed is a three prong attack for their entrance. First, Max Caster hits you with his always controversial and totally original rap on current events. Second, Anthony Bowens gives you the same thing every time, a fun routine that fans can easily remember and play along too. And third, The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn give us the visual of them scissoring each other. We have visuals, originality, and familiarity, all rolled up into a neat package known as The Acclaimed.
How many wrestling acts can claim to have that? Very few. And then there’s Bowens’ natural mic work. He can talk for them so Caster doesn’t have to. For older fans getting back into wrestling, they know Billy Gunn from the Attitude Era. He’s helping them get over by being there. Billy doesn’t have to do much. He goes along for the ride and that’s enough, because people care what happens to him. While other teams focus on hitting their spots in the ring, The Acclaimed focus on hitting their spots everywhere else. Their character work is at the highest level right now, and that’s what makes people care.
That’s why fans were giving them standing ovations mid-match. They love The Acclaimed and want to see them succeed. Dare to be unique and it will catch on with people. There has and never will be another team like The Acclaimed. And that’s what I love about wrestling. It’s about telling stories and creating moments with appealing characters we care about, whether we love or hate them. The Acclaimed make us care, and I raise my two fingers in the air to them. Let’s scissor all day and night, because everyone loves The Acclaimed!
—————
What I’m learning from these articles is how important it is to stand out. There’s an incredible volume of talent whirling around, and so long as you bring something unique, there should be a place for you. There’s no room for charisma vacuums in 2022. However, it’s also about being in the right place at the right time. Having a storyline fleshed out for you, like the one with Daniel Garcia, goes a long way.
When a company like AEW sees a talent’s potential and regularly features them, then the sky’s the limit. It’s time to deliver and hopefully everything works out. However, AEW has a major issue with making many of its mid-carders relevant. It has a bloated roster and only seems to care about developing those at the higher end.
Also, it has a serious issue with its women’s division. Aside from Britt Baker, can we honestly say that any of them come close to making this list? Hell no. They aren’t interesting, and we can attribute much of that to how infrequently they are featured. Yet, they aren’t the only women’s divisions suffering this year, so it’s not strictly an AEW problem.
It’s on you to decide if they deserve more time. And I’m not saying that because I believe women’s wrestling doesn’t sell. I’m struggling to see anyone who can show up like The Acclaimed or MJF and absolutely slay it on the microphone. Until somebody like that comes along, we’re unlikely to see any major investment. Thanks for reading!
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
