3 stars created in All Elite Wrestling

Across five years, AEW has pushed its way to become the number two promotion in North American wrestling size-wise, but in the eyes of many the top company in the industry. There are criticisms of AEW, both real and fabricated, but an interesting talking point that has come up lately is the organization hasn’t created any “stars.” That couldn’t be further from the truth, as here are three examples of performers that hit that level while being a part of All Elite Wrestling.

MJF

MJF was one of the first signings to AEW and he’s the easiest example of someone that has blossomed into a star while under that banner. He’s become one of the top stars not only in the company, but across all of wrestling. His activity immediately draws attention, for better or for worse, but that always equates to eyeballs. When his future with the company wasn’t clear, fans opined about where he would show up next. That wouldn’t come true, as he’s confirmed he’s staying with AEW for the long term.

At only 28 years old, MJF recently took part in his first film, Iron Claw. While it wasn’t too far from his day job as a professional wrestler, it is a step in the right direction that should lead to more acting and outside opportunities in the future. If AEW is looking for an example of a wrestler who has become a star within the company, the conversation starts with MJF.

Jade Cargill

Fans and detractors will feel some way about this point, but AEW built Jade Cargill’s initial star power. Does she have the opportunity to go further as a part of the WWE roster? Sure, but without her time in AEW, there’s a strong chance she wouldn’t be at this point. Cargill had a tryout opportunity with WWE before signing with AEW, but it was Tony Khan who took the shot at her and signed her to a deal. That led to her being propped up as a central figure for the company, holding the AEW TBS Championship for 508 days. The access granted by WWE should lead to bigger things in Cargill’s future, but that access isn’t there without the foundation created in AEW.

Anthony Bowens

Anthony Bowens is a name that may not initially come to mind when thinking about stars within AEW, but his presence carries a lot of weight both within the company and outside of it. AEW has embraced Bowens’ sexuality on screen in a way that is rare in professional wrestling. Along the way, he’s become one of the most well-known, openly gay performers in the industry. He’s appeared at events for GLAAD and during Pride Month, while openly spreading awareness about various issues within the LGBTQ+ community. In the ring and on screen, Bowens is a performer that fans love, pushing to see him break out as a singles star. As this trend continues, he should be recognized as a home-grown star with even brighter mainstream potential.