AEW and the use of "legend" talent

[Deleted]

Anyone else think this is one of the things that AEW has gotten 100% right out of the gate?


They're not making the old-timers the focal points of the show, and they're using them in ways that make sense. More importantly, they're not putting the retired talent over the weekly talent.

[Ronny Rayguns Is All Elite]

The Rock and Roll Express getting beat up by Proud and Powerful was one of the funniest wrestling moments I can recently recall

[Cyno]

They use legend talent the way it should be used: as nostalgia pops, but also completely in supporting roles. They're there to get the regulars over instead of taking the spotlight for themselves.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2020 14:22:56 GMT -5 Cyno said:

They use legend talent the way it should be used: as nostalgia pops, but also completely in supporting roles. They're there to get the regulars over instead of taking the spotlight for themselves.

Exactly. Tully Blanchard immediately made Spears more interesting. The Rock n' Roll Express helped get heat on PnP. Cody doesn't "need" Arn Anderson to get over, but there's a kayfabe reason to have him out there in the role that he's in.

I guess what's most refreshing that I wish the WWE would take note of is that they're using these guys in ways that make them feel important and special, but not using them as window dressing or at the expense of the young guys that are meant to carry the promotion.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Legends are in supporting roles as they should be to help elevate everyone else

It is something they have excelled in but hopefully they don't bring in every legend hoping it works because someone like Flair I don't see being able or wanting to do that without putting himself over

[Deleted]

They usually do it very well.The only time I wasn’t a fan was when DDP was revealed as Cody’s final guy for the brawl with The Inner Circle.Having the top heel group acting like their scared of a 60+ year old yogi was lame and would have been a good spot for a young talent on the roster.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

I like that they're avoiding overusing the legends that have been in regular rotation for the past two decades, the Jim Duggans and the like, and only using them in specific roles to help their active roster get over, or to tie their company to the wider history of wrestling.

[Fake Jesus]

Jan 4, 2020 16:57:33 GMT -5 @mrbonezone said:

They usually do it very well.The only time I wasn’t a fan was when DDP was revealed as Cody’s final guy for the brawl with The Inner Circle.Having the top heel group acting like their scared of a 60+ year old yogi was lame and would have been a good spot for a young talent on the roster.

In purely kayfabe terms DDP hit his prime real late - first time world champion at 43. It's entirely plausible that the inner circle think this guy can still go. I mean, he had a decent showing in the rumble five years ago.

[Cry Me a Wiggle]

Plus, DDP was so wronged by his WWF run (and, let's face it: his few World Title runs in WCW were so atrocious) that I honestly don't mind him being treated like a big deal even now. With how great of a guy he's revealed himself to be in the intervening decades, it just feels good to see him get the respect he deserves.

[Brian Suntan]

I mean, yeah I guess. It is slightly different though, if your legends are the likes of Tully and Arn and not The Rock, Stone Cold, Goldberg etc. etc.

[Mozenrath]

They've done well with it. Dustin's been used tremendously, for example, and looks like Billy will be used to put over his son Austin and help him get some valuable experience, and that's just rad.

[KofiMania]

Jan 4, 2020 20:31:24 GMT -5 Brian Suntan said:

I mean, yeah I guess. It is slightly different though, if your legends are the likes of Tully and Arn and not The Rock, Stone Cold, Goldberg etc. etc.

And their one active “legend” is world champ.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2020 17:33:04 GMT -5 Fake Jesus said:

Jan 4, 2020 16:57:33 GMT -5 @mrbonezone said:

They usually do it very well.The only time I wasn’t a fan was when DDP was revealed as Cody’s final guy for the brawl with The Inner Circle.Having the top heel group acting like their scared of a 60+ year old yogi was lame and would have been a good spot for a young talent on the roster.

In purely kayfabe terms DDP hit his prime real late - first time world champion at 43. It's entirely plausible that the inner circle think this guy can still go. I mean, he had a decent showing in the rumble five years ago.

I like DDP I just thought it was odd to build up the 4th and final reveal to be a guy who retired in 2002 who’s in his 60’s.Especially when your desperate to create new stars.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2020 21:35:57 GMT -5 KofiMania said:

Jan 4, 2020 20:31:24 GMT -5 Brian Suntan said:

I mean, yeah I guess. It is slightly different though, if your legends are the likes of Tully and Arn and not The Rock, Stone Cold, Goldberg etc. etc.

And their one active “legend” is world champ.

I think the difference is that it feels like Jericho is fully dedicated to the run - he’s on the show every week, he’s wrestling on TV, he’s an ambassador for the brand - it doesn’t just feel like he’s doing it as a cash grab like literally every WWE nostalgia push the last decade.

I’ll admit to liking Goldberg’s runs, but you could just feel that he was only there for a payday, and he never wrestled on TV. Brock has long since worn out his welcome, has no mystique left, and him holding the belt while wrestling fewer than 10 times per year is just the dogshit worst. Guys like Taker, HBK, etc...dusting themselves off for the Saudi shows just adds extra awkwardness to what are already uncomfortable shows.

So, your point is totally well taken, but that’s what distinguishes Dustin and Jericho in AEW from the WWE “legends” who get pushes in my mind.

[Dub H]

Goldberg as champion was ass and only served to bury Owens and by Proxy the roster that cant beat Lesnar

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jan 4, 2020 22:25:11 GMT -5 @mattyphatty said:

Jan 4, 2020 21:35:57 GMT -5 KofiMania said:

And their one active “legend” is world champ.

I think the difference is that it feels like Jericho is fully dedicated to the run - he’s on the show every week, he’s wrestling on TV, he’s an ambassador for the brand - it doesn’t just feel like he’s doing it as a cash grab like literally every WWE nostalgia push the last decade.

I’ll admit to liking Goldberg’s runs, but you could just feel that he was only there for a payday, and he never wrestled on TV. Brock has long since worn out his welcome, has no mystique left, and him holding the belt while wrestling fewer than 10 times per year is just the dogshit worst. Guys like Taker, HBK, etc...dusting themselves off for the Saudi shows just adds extra awkwardness to what are already uncomfortable shows.

So, your point is totally well taken, but that’s what distinguishes Dustin and Jericho in AEW from the WWE “legends” who get pushes in my mind.

That what makes Jericho different. When he on your roster, he all in no pun attended but look at his last years in the WWE when he could easily had a part time schedule. When he was there he did all the house shows and TV shows. He doesn't do well I only wrestle a couple times a year deal. He puts everything into it. In AEW he doing the same, doing everything he can to help get the brand over. He knows he the biggest name in the company and the company invested a lot into him, so he using that mainstream name as much as he can to get AEW attention and he done IMO a good job in that.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

Let's not pretend DDP shrivelled into a hunched up, doddering old man after he retired, he's still big, relatively healthy and has a wealth of experience inside the ring so is someone who wouldn't be taken lightly in a fight, inside or outside of the ring.