10 AEW Stars Who Desperately Need More TV Time
5. Joey Janela
Take a look back at 2019’s Fight For The Fallen and the outstanding Cracker Barrel match featuring Janela, Darby Allin and Jimmy Havoc. Janela is a delight throughout, demented and hugely charismatic.
Of course these stunt shows are his stock in trade. He was equally entertaining in plunder brawls against Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega. Since then, “The Bad Boy”, a day one signing for the company, has slid from view.
Where once he put in creditable performances against the promotion’s top names Janela now exists exclusively on AEW’s YouTube shows, Dark and Dark Elevation. Was his feud with Sonny Kiss any good? Only the most hardcore fans will ever know.
Janela deserves credit for shouldering responsibility for his current lowly position. He has admitted his attitude and performances suffered due to some all too relatable pandemic-based mental health issues. Still, in the same recent interview he’s expressed a determination to prove himself and persuade Tony Khan to renew his soon-to-expire contract.
Jim Cornette won’t like it, but it would be great to see Joey answer a TNT Title open challenge, for example, and prove himself all over again.