10 Bold Wrestling Predictions For 2022
6. A Big AEW Name Publicly Requests Their Release
Is Brian Cage a big AEW name?
If he was, he isn't any more. His work as the enormous Team Taz bruiser was genuinely excellent, mostly because he didn't have to do any talking. Taz got annoyed, which is always exceptional value, issued threats, and had Cage carry out the threats. Cage's preposterous moveset is in theory crowd-friendly, but the act itself is lacking in the context of TV. His promo game just isn't there, and he lacks a true emotional connection with the crowd. As a result, they weren't bothered about his quest to avenge Team Taz.
His wife has buried AEW for not using him much at all, and Cage himself has liked certain tweets indicating that he should be used more. Cage might therefore be the first person to actively seek their release from the creative fulfilment company as a result of being unfulfilled.
But is that a bold prediction? It's more an exercise in dot-connection.
But the issue is that the more under-utilised AEW acts, even if they're more unhappy than is reported, can't really go anywhere. ROH is dead, Impact's nearly there, WWE just wants to sign collegiate athletes.
Jake Hager might fancy a return, you know. He's big, has legit hard-man credentials, and has that bizarre "He wasn't over 10 years ago, he's perfect!" quality that Vince seems to prize in a headliner these days.