AEW Booms and Duds: Why is Mr. Brodie a Vince McMahon parody?

Dud: a parody of Vince McMahon is not what I was expecting for “Mr. Brodie”

Last week, I discussed how the recent portrayals of The Exalted One, “Mr. Brodie” Lee seem to be a disparate representation of the character from the previous months that built to Lee’s reveal. Well, this week kept down the same path.

We had another Vince McMahon parody. Lee insisted on being called “Mr. Brodie” and became infuriated when a member of Dark Order (maybe 7 since 8 and 9 were in the tag match?) referred to him as “The Exalted One.”

Last week, he made an example out of a Creeper who sneezed. This week, yawning is a sign of weakness. Why?

It’s also a bit jarring to see Lee all suited and booted when the Creepers are wearing masks and spandex, and then having Lee make his entrance in garb that looks like something you would find in Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age.

Further, shouldn’t Dark Order focus on the five named members instead of randomly assigned numbered members? Even if that’s not the case, doesn’t having Dark Order lose matches even after The Exalted One’s reveal further indicate they’re not a tag team or stable to be taken seriously?

Then again, these videos have instructed the viewers they’re not to be taken too seriously.

It’s disappointing not only because many of us had high hopes for Lee as The Exalted One and what it could do for Dark Order as a whole, but also because this is just not how The Exalted One was portrayed in the months leading up to his reveal.

At least to me, with all the mind games and tactics used against SCU and Christopher Daniels, specifically, I though The Exalted One was supposed to be a methodical, conniving, and intelligent yet brooding leader who wanted to wreak havoc on AEW.

Rather, we have an egomaniacal man-child who physically releases his frustrations onto those he’s supposed to lead. Where did the disconnect happen, and more importantly, why?

There’s still time to reverse course and make Lee and Dark Order legitimate, serious acts. That time, however, is short. Step away from the McMahon parodies and revert back to what drew our interest in the first place: the mysterious, brooding intelligence of The Exalted One.