10 Unlikely Wrestling Faction Members That Totally Worked
7. Mother Wayne (The Patriarchy)
Critics would say that logical storytelling isn't one of AEW's strengths. This writer isn't throwing any stones - he's been one of the loudest when moaning about Tony Khan's penchant for "dream matches" over character development or killer plot. However, the rise of Mother Wayne into Christian Cage's Patriarchy was fabulous.
It was also totally unexpected.
Shayna was just sort of there as a sympathetic mother figure hoping to see her son Nick do well in an industry he's loved since childhood. Losing his father prematurely could've sent Nick off the rails, but wrestling (and eventually Cage's guidance) reeled him back in. Shayna appreciated that, and wanted to show it.
She helped Christian retain his TNT Title vs. Adam Copeland on an episode of Dynamite in December 2023, and quickly settled in as 'The Matriarch' of The Patriarchy. To her credit, Mother Wayne comes across as a real human being who puts her kid's happiness above everyone else.