10 Secret AEW Storyline Details Hiding In Plain Sight

2. How Long Christian Cage's Heel Turn Has Been Coming

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AEW

At Double Or Nothing 2021, Christian Cage and Jungle Boy were the last remaining entrants in the Casino Battle Royale. In a shocking, but well-received moment, Jungle Boy won - in the aftermath of which an impressed Cage mentored him.

It was always going to lead to a break-up and a show-down, because that's how wrestling works, but the nature of the relationship was fascinating from the jump. In a very early backstage promo segment, Christian talked over Jungle Boy immediately. This was an early hint towards Christian's motives; he was far more invested in the genius of his advice than who it might actually benefit. All along, his words and his time were a defence mechanism with which to handle the defeat.

He has shown glimpses of true friendship, yes, and the two men even shared a tender moment at Full Gear '21, when Jungle Boy subverted the tired "Why am I so violent?" trope with a far better "It's time for me to get violent lads" moment before braining Matt Jackson with a con-chair-to. But Jungle Boy's progress in the singles ranks has slowed - familiar, no? - and recently, Christian has been unable to hide his frustration. Christian is projecting.

When the match happens, it will be received as something with significant weight by those who've paid attention.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!