Personally, emotional investment in the character aids my awe and love of the in-ring craft. Will Ospreay\u2019s reminding me of the lads I went to university with, or Hangman Adam Page\u2019s internal fights with imposter syndrome<\/a> reflecting my own battles, elevates my love for these characters to the sky. They provide healthy parasocial bonds that make me care deeply for the in-ring action.<\/p>\n AEW\u2019s philosophy framework<\/a> rewards innovation. It also exposes weaknesses and amplifies stagnation. Weaknesses in characterisation in AEW can\/do hinder fan perceptions and emotional investment in some wrestlers. Yet nothing is set in stone. Changes are always possible. Sometimes it’s about timing.<\/p>\n We\u2019re looking at six wrestlers and five common ways wrestler characters in AEW (and wrestling generally) become stunted. We\u2019ll also discuss how both the booking and these performers could seek to add new layers, directions, or motivations to their characters. Not because I or any other fan thinks we know how to book wrestling better. More because we want to emotionally invest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil has changed his theme song, but everything is the same. Ironically, it\u2019s the lyrics to HOOK\u2019s old theme that sum up the character\u2019s limitations. We don\u2019t really know him. In 2024, I discussed how HOOK\u2019s character combines the Shounen anime hero archetype with a meme-like presence.<\/a> Feeling both real and absurd, like a meme, worked for a time. Nothing significant has changed in the two years since.<\/p>\n Turning HOOK heel has felt half-hearted and superficial. The sporadic booking, limited in-ring appearances and mic time seem samey. Still stoic, eating chips, throwing suplexes in the same gear. It\u2019s an extension of the flight-pattern booking of Hook teams with either an oddball or stylistically aligned partner. HOOK occupies the same card position he\u2019s always held. Hook\u2019s not the only one who makes Bryan Alvarez\u2019s criticism meaningful. Think Private Party, Top Flight, and Daniel Garcia.<\/p>\n Fans need some element of personality or a characterisation to grapple with. It\u2019s possible in AEW to be a badass with layers. The Death Riders have four distinct models, each with its own sharp edges, but they also share Kryptonite-like weaknesses. \u00a0HOOK, and others in the same position, need to take a risk. Change something that takes the character somewhere new. Or start over. Ultimately, if the wrestlers are happy with their position, that\u2019s their choice. As fans, we should learn to respect that.<\/p>\n![\"HOOK](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/01jmwxeebs7c7k82g10b.png\")
Stagnation- HOOK <\/strong><\/h2>\n