Five non-contracted workers you want to see in AEW

[rnrk supports BLM]

Jan 13, 2019 17:37:33 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

The other is the Lucha Bros Pentagon and Fénix who where in All IN, love them in AEW but that won't happen until there Lucha Underground deals are up.

I wouldn't count them out, they're appearing in Impact and MLW. The deal currently seems to be that AAA controls rights to their US TV appearances through the Lucha Underground contracts, hence them using their AAA-owned names on those shows. If AEW really is working on a deal with AAA, I'd expect it to involve a similar arrangement.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jan 13, 2019 17:47:20 GMT -5 rnrk supports BLM said:

Jan 13, 2019 17:37:33 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

The other is the Lucha Bros Pentagon and Fénix who where in All IN, love them in AEW but that won't happen until there Lucha Underground deals are up.

I wouldn't count them out, they're appearing in Impact and MLW. The deal currently seems to be that AAA controls rights to their US TV appearances through the Lucha Underground contracts, hence them using their AAA-owned names on those shows. If AEW really is working on a deal with AAA, I'd expect it to involve a similar arrangement.

I hope so because they are very valuable to a roster because they are a great Tag team and just as good singles. Pentagon more so in the singles who seems to get more the top card spots.

[Captain Patren Fenderbaum-X]

LU would have no issues letting them work AEW when they are not taping....but if you want them signed to AEW that aint a possiblity untill either LU confirms they are no more or when the fifth season tapes and they have to wait untill that season is fully done airing.

[Deleted]

If they're going to have a weekly television show, I'd like to see Colt Cabana in an environment like that as a regular active wrestler on the roster. I know he does commentary at ROH, but he's never really been a wrestler on a weekly TV show of any real substance, unless you count when he was on Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. I mean a significant television platform. He never had a real run in WWE or when TNA was on Spike, or anything like that.

Fenix and Pentagon Jr. if contractually able to be on the show are a no brainer.

Jack Evans and/or Teddy Hart should have a run on a real television show as well before they get too old to be as athletic as they were during their prime (which was arguably 10 years ago). I know there was an announcement that Teddy "signed with MLW," but I mean a real player in the TV world, like if AEW ends up on TBS. Guys like that should have had a run on WWE TV or something similar to what Nitro was as a platform for guys of the previous generation.

If I were them I'd think outside the box a little and not just sign up young indy. I mean, do that, but also sprinkle in some veterans to keep things interesting. It might not be the most popular idea in the world, but I'd book Sabu in a limited role as a crazy mid-card veteran character. His body is broken down, but if paired with someone else in a stable where he doesn't have to do much physically, he's still Sabu and has a unique aura.

I'd also try Raven as a producer and color commentator. I'd rather Raven than, say, Conrad Thompson.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 13, 2019 23:54:22 GMT -5 @mack619 said:

If they're going to have a weekly television show, I'd like to see Colt Cabana in an environment like that as a regular active wrestler on the roster. I know he does commentary at ROH, but he's never really been a wrestler on a weekly TV show of any real substance, unless you count when he was on Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. I mean a significant television platform. He never had a real run in WWE or when TNA was on Spike, or anything like that.

Fenix and Pentagon Jr. if contractually able to be on the show are a no brainer.

Jack Evans and/or Teddy Hart should have a run on a real television show as well before they get too old to be as athletic as they were during their prime (which was arguably 10 years ago). I know there was an announcement that Teddy "signed with MLW," but I mean a real player in the TV world, like if AEW ends up on TBS. Guys like that should have had a run on WWE TV or something similar to what Nitro was as a platform for guys of the previous generation.

If I were them I'd think outside the box a little and not just sign up young indy. I mean, do that, but also sprinkle in some veterans to keep things interesting. It might not be the most popular idea in the world, but I'd book Sabu in a limited role as a crazy mid-card veteran character. His body is broken down, but if paired with someone else in a stable where he doesn't have to do much physically, he's still Sabu and has a unique aura.

I'd also try Raven as a producer and color commentator. I'd rather Raven than, say, Conrad Thompson.

You bring up a good point with Jack Evans. Weren't he and his partner Angelico free agents or going to be?

[Tea & Crumpets]

Jan 13, 2019 5:58:42 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

Jeff Jarrett. Not only is he a good veteran to have on your roster, I would enjoy the mental gymnastics from people who've spent two decades calling him garbage, turning 180 and acting like they loved his work all along.

...Just don't him anywhere near a management role.

*Moleman voice* I've always liked Jeff Jarrett.



My picks:
-CM Punk. Self explanatory.
-AJ Lee. Ditto, if she can still wrestle given her neck.
-Kris Wolf. Would be a gain for the womens division.
-Paul Burchill. I know he's pretty much retired but I've always been a huge Burchill mark since he first started wrestling.
-Scott Steiner. Because when is he not fun?

[A Platypus Rave]

I don't follow Indies quite closely is Chuck Taylor tied down anywhere?

I'd hire him.

[EyeofTyr]

Eddie Kingston, Jervis Cottonbelly, Kris Wolf, Ophidian, Orange Cassidy.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 14, 2019 4:09:43 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

I don't follow Indies quite closely is Chuck Taylor tied down anywhere?

I'd hire him.

He's been doing NJPW shows as Beretta's partner, so it's not an exclusive contract, but wherever he did any work for, they'd need to allow him to also do NJPW, probably. I don't expect he'd give that gig up lightly.

[Dub H]

I wouldnt mind having AJ Lee as a managing figure for other girls.In a mentor role,since I dont want her to break her neck.

I will also throw my vote for Chris Master.

Besides that I don't know very well of big wrestlers outside of NJWP and LU

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

So tough to boil it down to just 5! My list will look too much like I’m taking the TNA approach of just hiring ex-WWE guys but unless AEW wants to be ROH 2.0 they need star power. Since WCW and ECW went out of business nearly 20 years ago the only mainstream American company creating stars on a national level has been WWE. The argument could be made for some top NJPW guys I guess, but they’re disqualified given the rules of this thread.


That said if you’re hiring ex-WWE guys they have to be people who were pushed enough to be remembered and at least potentially move the needle. A modcarder from 10 years ago just isn’t going to do it.

Anyway, I’d go:

CM Punk: He’s one of literally two guys I think could be brought into a company as a credible ace not tied up in a wrestling contract. The other is Jericho who they already got.

AJ Lee: If they throw money at Punk and he actually accepts I wouldn’t be surprised if he insisted she comes (if she wants). She’s actually a good get too as some of those Raws from the mid 2010s seemed like the AJ Lee Show. I’m not a fan, but her starpower is undeniable.

Ryback: Yes, he has beef with Punk but actually had huge upside as a main eventer at one point in WWE. I guess you could say that about a lot of guys but Ryback was more recent than most and has a better look than most. He would take some working on to make him worth his demands but I think he could still be a great monster midcarder/upper midcarder/occasional main eventer as he was supposed to be in WWE.

Colt Cabana: This is moving away now from WWE. Yes, Cabana worked from them but he is one of the few guys still more associated with their indie work (which speaks to just how crappy that WWE run was). Cabana is certainly a hustler and his Art of Wrestling podcast has gotten some mainstream coverage over years. He also creates locker room volatility with Punk but Wrestlers are known for bickering. Let them squash it before signing if possible.

Bill Goldberg: He still isn’t locked in yet right? He’d be my number 2 after Punk actually, but I just remembered he wasn’t locked in.

I might stick Sting in there too if he doesn’t have some kind of deal with WWE.

[Dragonfly]

Jan 12, 2019 15:21:13 GMT -5 chazraps said:

Darin Corbin

He's the first person my wife brought up as well. (She knows him primarily from Paragon.) I can't argue, either. The man has range.

My picks:

Lionheart - A decade-plus veteran with an amazing story. He had an amazing 2018, headlined by a great Fear and Loathing main event. Instant upper card talent.

The Whirlwind Gentlemen - Damn fine tag team that deserve a bigger spotlight. (Note: Thanks to a working relationship with FSW in Vegas, The WG are currently co-head trainers in OWE and a major part of the show. This takes for granted that none of the FSW guys are included in the AEW/OWE deal.)

Gory - Former tag partner of some semi-recognizable names (DJ Z, Facade, G-Raver from GCW/CZW) and general Pittsburgh mainstay. He's not super charismatic and getting up there in age, but the guy can go. He'd be great in a stable/division of flippy guys.

Jackie Polo - The other half of the Fear and Loathing main event. Decent in the ring, but ridiculously talented on the mic and at commentary. He'd make a great manager.

Darin Corbin - See above.

[Tea & Crumpets]

Jan 14, 2019 4:26:18 GMT -5 EyeofTyr said:

Eddie Kingston, Jervis Cottonbelly, Kris Wolf, Ophidian, Orange Cassidy.

What's the deal with Eddie Kingston these days? 10 years ago I'd have absolutely had him in any promotion but apart from a ropey TNA run he's just done nothing of note since he quit Chikara. Is he just that good at pissing people off?


Chris Masters could be fun if they played into his all-too-shortlived status as memetic manly badass for using a tree to save his mother from a house fire.

Raven as a booker/commentator would be fantastic. I actually love his hyperactive speech style and find him very engaging. Likewise, Nash as a commentator/comedic personality could be fun, just don't let him near the book or the ring.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Jan 14, 2019 14:10:00 GMT -5 Tea & Crumpets said:

Jan 14, 2019 4:26:18 GMT -5 EyeofTyr said:

Eddie Kingston, Jervis Cottonbelly, Kris Wolf, Ophidian, Orange Cassidy.

What's the deal with Eddie Kingston these days? 10 years ago I'd have absolutely had him in any promotion but apart from a ropey TNA run he's just done nothing of note since he quit Chikara. Is he just that good at pissing people off?

Kingston focused on Evolve right now, I believe.

[CMPunkyBrewster]

John Skyler is a dude I have been behind since the first time I saw him almost 10 years ago. He's flirted with the big time, having worked several matches for NXT, but never got picked up. He could be a huge breakout star of given the right platform.

Jake Manning is a dude I have always wanted to see on a bigger stage as well. His gimmick is goofy on the surface, but my god that man knows how to get genuine heat with it, and he's f***ing fantastic in the ring. He's got a close connection to the Elite guys through Highspots, so I hope he gets the call.

Corey Hollis is another dude who has flirted with NXT, and has been a main event star for PWX for awhile now. He's been both a partner and enemy of John Skyler, and both the team and the feud could do well on a national stage.

The Washington Bullets are a tag team of brothers who seem to be lacking only a booking in a larger company in order to break through. They could have amazing matches with the Bucks.

This is an absolute darkhorse, but there is a guy named Zuka King who has only been in the business a couple of years. He has a lot of work ahead of him still, but he is taking to the business like an absolute natural. His mic and character work is pretty great, and his ring work is already better than it really has any right to be. If he could get an opportunity to learn under the people already associated with AEW, he could be a huge star in a few years.

[Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen]

Punk
Fenix
Pentagon Jr.
Is Jordynne Grace signed to Impact? If not, her
Delilah Doom

[MrElijah]

Meiko Satomura
Angelico
Jack Evans
AR Fox

[Deleted]

Wade Barrett
Nick Aldis
Ryback
Del Rio
Austin Aries

[Muskrat]

Jan 14, 2019 18:25:35 GMT -5 Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen said:

Punk
Fenix
Pentagon Jr.
Is Jordynne Grace signed to Impact? If not, her
Delilah Doom

She’s signed to impact, but I’m pretty sure a working agreement with them is imminent so I doubt it’ll be an issue

[Natural Born Farmer]

Jan 14, 2019 22:03:44 GMT -5 Muskrat said:

Jan 14, 2019 18:25:35 GMT -5 Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen said:

Punk
Fenix
Pentagon Jr.
Is Jordynne Grace signed to Impact? If not, her
Delilah Doom

She’s signed to impact, but I’m pretty sure a working agreement with them is imminent so I doubt it’ll be an issue

You think? After the GFW fiasco I’d guess they’d be super gun shy about them. Venture to say the elite are really more high profile than Impact itself at this point...