Of all the hollow myths surrounding AEW, the concept that the alternative to WWE doesn’t build characters is asinine and low-effort criticism. One used to protect, in contrast, the WWE myth of being the pinnacle of storytelling and character work. Both promotions have their own style and means of character creation and storyline.
Whereas WWE is a “movie about sport”, AEW is a wrestling show about wrestling. Ironically, almost too much for many. AEW’s best characters are very human and relatable, and not superheroes. Don’t get this wrong, there’s a big intersection in the Venn diagram where overlaps in creative strengths and weaknesses are noticeable. Take both companies’ blind spots with masked lucha wrestlers.
Remove the tribalism. Like any workplace, one environment might suit one worker better than another. Plenty have thrived in AEW’s “no floaties” environment. Undeniable, their wrestling prowess makes them beloved by fans. Often, their wrestling skills complement and pair well with their gimmicks/personas to tell in-ring stories. Let’s explore who, how, and why. If I have missed anyone, let me know in the comments.
Christian Cage
The way Christian Cage conducts his business superficially seems WWE-like. Superficially, Cage’s villainous, manipulative heel caricature, right down to catchphrases and wrestling in a black turtleneck, would not feel out of place in WWE. What elevates Cage’s Patriarch beyond a parody of the classic teacher/mentor role is characterisation.
Building on Cage’s historic career creates the persona of a mastermind veteran. Overlooked and underappreciated, yet aware of how to achieve his ends. Masterfully switching from nemesis to best friend again with Adam Copeland, from heel to a face, required story beats, justification, and time. Unlike in WWE, changing alignment hasn’t meant sacrificing what made the character special. It’s why many AEW fans want Cage to be their dad.
