Any other "legends" fit for AEW?

[Sephiroth]

Obviously they should not go overboard on their use of old timers, as that has been one of WWE's biggest mistakes in recent years. But there is no denying the usefulness of recognizable, established stars, particularly for a brand new promotion looking to establish itself. Jericho is a great choice for them in such a role because not only is one of the most decorated stars of recent times, but also he has kept himself up well enough that he can still work a solid match with just about anyone. I think it goes without saying his prime role will be to help put over new stars to help get AEW standing on its own two legs. But that raises the question of whether there is anyone else out there who could help fill the same role, particularly if Jericho does decide to throw it in sometime in the next few years?

Two names that spring to mind for me are Rob Van Dam and Ken Shamrock, but I am not sure either of them would be a good fit. Both have suffered pretty hard hits to their credibility thanks to antics outside of wrestling, and neither has the sheer presence of Jericho due to years out of the spotlight. The Great Muta is another name who I believe is still semi-active, but age and wear and tear have left him in a position where I doubt he could scrape through much of a match and would have to rely on his opponent, which is a risk to be sure. Konnan might be worth considering, at least as far as helping build it latino stars and getting a grip on that audience demographic, but he does not have the best history and has also fallen pretty far from his prior prominence. All that said, there is really only one other name I can think of: Phil "CM Punk" Brook. As much of a punchline as he has been since his UFC career, and for all his avowed hatred of wrestling post WWE, there is no denying that his star still shines pretty bright as his time in the WWE is still a very recent memory, and even a short-term return to ring action would be a mega bomb for fans that would undeniably provide a young AEW with a major shot in the arm.

Any other names you can think of?

[Mozenrath]

I don't really feel like RVD would be a good fit. I actually liked his stint in Impact, since he and Sabu came in and seemed to give a f*** about elevating guys, but I don't picture it working quite as well in AEW, outside of maybe if they wait a bit. Similarly, Shamrock's working with Impact right now, and I guess we'll see how that turns out.

AEW and Punk have had their brushes, but I kind of don't want it. I feel like Punk would be better off wrapping things up in WWE, and AEW has guys like Moxley that they will get more out of if they aren't having other presences potentially overshadowing things. Feels like having chocolate cake and drinking chocolate milk. That's a little too much.

Muta could be fun, but I figure they'd need to use some smoke and mirrors and pump it up to get the most out of that, but I wonder who could work with that kind of setup. Whoa oh, who could use smoke and mirrors?

I'd love to see someone like Bull Nakano make an appearance, even if she wouldn't be wrestling, but I don't know if that'd be an issue with the joshi promotion(s)?? that AEW work with, unless it's all just individual basis. I know that politics with joshi wrestling in Japan can be as vicious as they come, but I am not sure how averse they are to cross-promotion, and if Nakano is actively tied to any right now. I do know she did some managing no terribly long back. AwamoriRock or someone else could probably answer that.

Part of me thinks the Rock N Roll Express could potentially show up sometime for a one-off, but I wouldn't be shocked if Corgan tries to get them for NWA's whatever show they're doing, and I am not quite sure what team would really be appropriate opponents for them.

['Foretold' Joker]

Short answer is no.

Long answer is the majority of 'legends' who can still go from the Jericho age era are either retired, in movies, dead or under the WWE umbrella. This leaves very few options for this kind of wrestler to be brought in.

Yes you could argue for the likes of RVD, Scott Steiner, Bully Ray or Muta but they don't bring that much, especially as we know what they will bring. Jericho at least tries to re-invent himself to keep things fresh. Looking to the past no one from the WWF & WCW scene is left, ECW guys are over-used already. Which leaves TNA or the 2003-2013 wwe era.

The only real answers I could even consider:
Carístico aka Mistico aka Sin Cara - He was the big thing from Mexico a few years back, can go in the ring not sure what contract he has with CMLL
Ryback - The potential is still there and AEW is lacking in a big burly beast type wrestlers.

[EyeofTyr]

In the sense of a full time member of the roster or something substantial? No thank you.

But I wouldn't mind occasional one off's. Do something like have hype packages on TV all the way leading up to a PPV educating and, well, hyping say The Great Muta and then have a one off match on the PPV against a talent you think would benefit from that match (and the win).

Or, the occasional old timer surprising everybody by showing up in a battle royale or a tournament setting (like Glacier).

I'd only use them in the way ECW tended to during their height, as a temporary thing and as a means to boost what talent you already have there.

Like, imagine if they built Muta up to be this mythical figure for their audience and then MJF beat him and got to crow about it? Stuff like that.

[Deleted]

Lance Storm as a manager

[Mozenrath]

Sept 18, 2019 7:50:00 GMT -5 @jr1 said:

Lance Storm as a manager

That'd be fun. I know the knee-jerk reaction would be to question if he could do promos enough, but have him come in and do his Sam the Eagle ultra-straightfaced bit for someone and play to their credibility.

[Sephiroth]

Is Masato Tanaka still active?

[Crappler El 0 M]

Sept 18, 2019 19:12:10 GMT -5 Sephiroth said:

Is Masato Tanaka still active?

yes

[Cyno]

I don't think AEW should want anything to do with Mistico unless his ego has been knocked down a peg or ten. He was apparently a massive pain in the ass to work with in WWE.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Sept 18, 2019 19:54:18 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I don't think AEW should want anything to do with Mistico unless his ego has been knocked down a peg or ten. He was apparently a massive pain in the ass to work with in WWE.

You should probably call him Caristico now. The brother of Rush and Dragon Lee has been working as Mistico for awhile now. Right now Caristico is with CMLL, and AEW works with AAA, so I don't see it happening any time soon.

[fortknox]

[Evilution E5150]

Sid and Scott Steiner

[CeilingFan]

CM Punk.

[Deleted]

He’s a weird case, because he’s actually probably better known at this point for the work he’s done after age 50, but PCO. That dude deserves a chance to do his act in front of a truly nationwide audience before he has to finally hang it up for good.

[Deleted]

Three that come to mind immediately that fit the mold by having both Japanese and Southern wrasslin' roots are Stan Hansen, Great Muta, and Jushin Liger.

[kingoftheindies]

Are we talking about in the ring or in general? AEW seems to like to use legends to help put over a match in promos.

Maybe look at getting some tag team legends to start hyping up the tournament

[jking1979]

I would bring in The Great Khali and have him dominate the whole roster. Then he can challenge Chris Jericho and beat him to become the new AEW world champion.

[XaviersSS2015hair]

Sept 18, 2019 19:54:18 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I don't think AEW should want anything to do with Mistico unless his ego has been knocked down a peg or ten. He was apparently a massive pain in the ass to work with in WWE.

Idk if it says anything about how he is to work with but he also worked the Super J Cup and a few ROH shows within the last month. I don't know how those deals work. Like does NJPW / ROH request talent to come in or CMLL (or whoever) sends who they want to. I know when I see Caristico now I'm like, oh, original Sin Cara? Nah, I'll pass. I think 1) the average American fan has no idea this guy was a mega star in Mexico at one point and 2) if AEW tried to get him over by hyping him as original Sin Cara 90% of fans would have the same reaction as I have towards him.

[Johnny Flamingo]

I think Raven would be a great manager. Could even keep The Ravens Nest/Flock gimmick.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Sept 18, 2019 22:31:59 GMT -5 @wvguitar said:

Three that come to mind immediately that fit the mold by having both Japanese and Southern wrasslin' roots are Stan Hansen, Great Muta, and Jushin Liger.

Uh. Are you aware that Stan Hansen is 70 and retired around the same time ECW closed?