AEW: Why Scorpio Sky might be The Exalted One

While many have speculated as to who The Exalted One is in AEW, nothing is definitive. Is it Matt Hardy? Raven? Jake “The Snake” Roberts? Brodie Lee? Well, there is one possibility if any of the subtle hints are to be taken seriously: Scorpio Sky.

(Editor’s Note: This article was written before AEW teased Matt Hardy being The Dark Order’s Exalted One.)

Let me just start by saying that what I’m proposing here has about as much a chance of happening as me performing a Phoenix Splash without dying. Still, I hope you take the time to read through before dismissing me; no hard feelings if you think I have no idea what I’m talking about after you read, though.

The identity of The Exalted One in AEW is one of the more speculated topics recently in pro wrestling. Considering just how down fans were on The Dark Order following their poorly received beating of basically the top faces in the company at the time (deservedly so), it’s a testament to how they’ve been rebuilt that there is so much speculation.

I say all that to say that I think The Exalted One might be Scorpio Sky.

Before you throw something at the wall, I’ll explain myself, promise. However, let’s first turn to the popular theories.

Many thought it would be revealed to be Matt Hardy on last week’s episode of Dynamite, but that didn’t happen. I also didn’t think it would be Hardy based on the end of his “Free the Delete” series released before Dynamite aired where The Bucks of Youth met Hardy at the Hardy Compound.

How about Brodie Lee (fka Luke Harper)? His past in WWE certainly seems to lend itself to this cult gimmick. However, after Jake “The Snake” Roberts returned, I think Lee is the “client” Roberts is setting up to face Cody.

Speaking of Roberts, theoretically, his client could be The Dark Order as one entity rather than each member being clients. Still, I don’t think this fits Roberts as much as managing Lee.

Then again, is Tully Blanchard working as a manager, a role he seems perfect for?

There’s also the curiously random appearance of Raven in the crowd, sitting behind The Dark Order.

It could work (remember The Flock?).

Still, I think it might be Sky. Why?

The Dark Order has an unnatural obsession with SCU. Yes, their focus has been on recruiting Christopher Daniels, whose “The Fallen Angel” moniker seamlessly fits the group. Daniels even intimated as much when he walked down the ramp in a hooded black robe before making the save during the “Buy-In” pre-show match.

That’s exactly what Sky wants us to think.

Pay attention to the end of the match and post-match happenings.

Not only does Sky take a pin from a clothesline to the back of the head (and not even a Clothesline from Hell), but he is not attacked by The Dark Order as he lies on the apron. Frankie Kazarian takes a beating instead.

Even when Colt Cabana (making his debut) tried making the save, look at how slooooooowly Sky is to react. He only jumps up (and rather quickly considering how much he was selling) once Daniels jumps in the ring.

Am I making something from nothing? Maybe. Is it a red herring? Maybe. However, AEW has shown they don’t forget the subtleties in their angles (like Raven above).

I know, you’re thinking, “Wait! This still doesn’t explain how he might be The Exalted One!”

Well, in this scenario, Sky has been instructing The Dark Order to focus on Daniels to throw the scent off Sky. Again, “The Fallen Angel” fits so well that it makes complete sense why they are pursuing Daniels.

“But why would he do that?” Simple.

Back in October, Sky was a fill-in for Daniels only after injury. He wasn’t supposed to be in the tag tournament that crowned them the first AEW Tag Team Champions! Here he is, the younger of the three with tremendous potential, and he’s overlooked.

Yes, Kazarian and Daniels had been teaming together successfully for years, but considering both their ages, it would have made sense to replace one with Sky. Maybe he’s been brooding and plotting his revenge these past five months.

This also works because AEW takes a focus on long-term storytelling (think about PAC vs. Omega, Cody vs. MJF, and the saga of “Hangman” Page).

If Sky is revealed to be The Exalted One, I envision a scenario much like the breakup of The Shield in 2014. Maybe instead of a chair, Sky uses a kendo stick, but either way, this would make an impact.

Why do I want it to be Sky? As I’ve written previously, he was the only men’s wrestler of color who even wrestled in a singles main event until Santana faced Jon Moxley on the Feb. 12 episode of Dynamite. This is only an issue since both Tony Khan and Cody reiterate they want to have more diversity in the men’s singles division. Sky seemed poised for a singles breakout, but that didn’t happen.

This could also be a much-needed character change for both Sky and SCU. Is it just me, or is the act becoming a little stale? Having Sky turn heel into this brooding leader of lost souls gives him an edge we haven’t seen. The same applies to Daniels and Kazarian as they seek vengeance for the turncoat Sky.

Further, as there is a notable lack of singles men’s wrestlers of color and bonafide upper card heels, having Sky be The Exalted One helps address both issues.

To the latter point on heels, Brodie Lee seems poised for a top feud as a heel against Cody, but could Lance Archer (I refuse to use his nickname) be a heel? I envision him being more of a tweener with more rough edges than smooth, but his reaction contingent upon the angle.

For Sky, he could cut a promo saying he only lost to Jericho for the World Championship because he also had to focus on being Tag Team Champion. Now that he’s focused on the top title for himself, he intends to take it by any means necessary. He could instruct Evil Uno and Stu Grayson to pursue the Tag Team Championships so The Dark Order could hold all men’s titles.

Booked right, and with the evidence provided, isn’t this a rather intriguing theory?

While I expect you to laugh in my face, I hope that at the very least, you’re able to see my perspective with what I laid out. Whoever The Exalted One is revealed to be, let’s hope it is someone like Sky, a talent with potential who may just need a platform.