AEW: 5 wrestlers with major star potential
AEW continues to be popular among wrestling fans. One reason is their ability to build new stars. Here’s a look at five potential future stars for AEW.
What a first six to seven months for AEW‘s Dynamite!
The show has been the harbinger of star-making moments for many a wrestler on the roster. I’m not just discussing the obvious ones in Cody, Chris Jericho, and Jox Moxley.
Think of Darby Allin, and his matches against Cody, Jericho, Moxley, and Sammy Guevara. Speaking of Guevara, think of his matches with the same wrestlers sans Jericho.
Most notable is Adam “Hangman” Page. After a tepid start as a white-meat babyface, he’s found his niche as an everyman cowboy who likes to have a little drink after work, something I’m sure is relatable to so many.
In looking at five future wrestlers with major star potential, I am considering a few things. In-ring ability and promo skills are to be expected, but I’m also looking at character, personality, and how all that coalesces into the connection (or potential connection) with fans. Even heels need to connect with the fans lest they be received with silence or go-away heat.
I am going to avoid naming current champions because as champions, there is a belief that they’ve already achieved a certain star status. I will also avoid the names above and others that are stars either due to their name power built before AEW (The Elite) and/or are being billed as major players (think “Mr. Brodie” and Lance Archer, for example).
I think all the names I have selected have not yet reached their star potential and/or are clearly on the road to superstardom. There is one selection (at least) where people might already consider them a star, but I will make the case as to why they have not hit their ceiling.
Also, even in the case of a pair, all my arguments will be for each of these wrestlers to be singles megastars. In pro wrestling, that’s what drives the notoriety and money.
Let’s start with a former AEW World Championship #1 contender.