10 Ups & 10 Downs For AEW In 2019

5. Talent Enhancement

Scorpio Sky
Scott Lesh Photography/AEW

It’s impossible to create stars the level of Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega in just 11 weeks of television, but the list of wrestlers that AEW has already enhanced since Dynamite debuted bodes extremely well for their chances of doing this over the coming years.

Darby Allin has caught on as a propulsive do-or-die risk-taker with unique alt. appeal thanks not only to his own efforts, but AEW’s presentation as well. Cody has never felt like a bigger deal than he does through this lens. Elevated as the tag tournament’s standout performer, SCU’s Scorpio Sky earned his shot at Jericho. MJF is one of the country’s most over and effective heels after turning on Cody. Laying pop upon pop upon pop with his spin kicks and standing Moonsaults is Luchasaurus. Dustin Rhodes is as sympathetic as Sammy Guevara is obnoxious. Private Party, Wardlow, and others were plucked from relative obscurity to play convincing TV characters on TNT. The list continues.

Cody aside (having already main-evented), some of these performers may yet become the AEW headliners of the future thanks, in part, to the promotion’s effective early groundwork. Let’s see how the likes of Allin and Private Party soar in 2020.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.