AEW had their Fifth Anniversary Show without a lot of the names that helped build the brand in the first place. Names such as Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, Wardlow, MJF and several others. In some ways, it was refreshing to see how far they have come, but at the same time, a direct memory of how good it used to be. Nevertheless, their biggest storyline of Moxley vs Bryan Danielson still evolves around a bunch of former WWE guys. You would have hoped that by the time of their fifth anniversary show, it would been guys they created on top like MJF and possibly Swerve, but yet, here we are.
But, all that being said, the best parts of the show were bookended with an amazing Jon Moxley promo in which he states, “None of this is about me, it was never supposed to be me”.
What is he talking about you ask? It is time for AEW fans to start putting together the clues and realize that AEW is on the verge of putting together an nWo style faction with Ambrose as the in the ring ringleader, and Shane McMahon the mastermind behind it all. Tony Khan and AEW have built enough home-grown stars to combat them and have brought in enough former WWE stars to continue to build the faction as we go. We saw TNA try it a few times with The Main Event Mafia, and Ace’s “n” Eights, but this possible faction has the ability to grow and succeed with big name talent.
Let’s start doing the math here folks, every member of the BCC is a former WWE star in Ambrose, Claudio and PAC. Marina Shafir is a bit of a stretch on that one, I can say that, however the original plan called for Ronda Rousey before her recently announced pregnancy. Shafir was with NXT for 3 years, for what it is worth.
Taz getting attacked in the parking lot is perhaps just the next faze of this plan. A part of it feels off, because the last, “who done it” angle which led to Adam Cole being revealed, was a giant dud. If AEW is going to pull this off with another attempt, they need the leader to be in ring shape and ready to go, and Moxley very much feels like that guy. If not, a debuting Kevin Owens would be the answer, but he is with WWE through the rest of 2024.
There’s no Hulk Hogan caliber star already on the AEW roster to make this work. It would have to be a giant babyface and the horrendous booking of Tony Khan has never allowed for a long term babyface to be on top. The constant switching from heel to babyface back to heel, has ruined any chance at a character getting over the likes of The Rock, Austin, The Undertaker, John Cena or anyone of that high caliber nature. At this point, if they took the biggest faces in the company Bryan Danielson or Swerve, and made them the big time babyface to turn heel, no one would care as they have already flip flopped so many times.
Except there is one man, one legend, one ultra babyface, former WWE guy who can come back from injury and step into the role of In Ring Leader, and that man’s name….. Adam “Edge” Copeland.
You put Edge in a group with Moxley, PAC, Claudio while all being led by Shane O Mac, and now you have something……
As for the women who would enter the group, you have plenty of former WWE options to step right in, everyone from Toni Storm and Saraya to Mercedes Mone. AEW just resigned a big deal to stay on TBS, is this the angle to kick it off with?
