10 Wrestlers That Pissed Off The Fans

9. Adam Cole

Danhausen ROH
AEW

The competent pro wrestling booker pairs two performers together whose contrasts create a compelling dynamic.

Tony Khan programmed Adam Cole and Orange Cassidy because Cassidy deliberately doesn't emote, is a sly strategist, and Cole has a phenomenally expressive face with which he can masterfully sell being at the end of his f*cking tether. Khan didn't programme Cole and Cassidy together to nuke his expensive new star's career in a blaze of broken kayfabe. That would be stupid.

Cole, once beloved by WWE fans for his incredible ice-cool presence and electrifying, counter-driven work, has now pissed those fans off. Because he works for AEW. Working a style vaguely premised on comedy has encouraged this set of fans to mourn the death of the man's career. They really think he's been Bret Hart in WCW'd.

The Cassidy feud probably wasn't quite as good as it was on paper; it's hard to pin down why, but it just wasn't as charming as the match graphic. Cole however has worked a string of TV bangers beyond it and his t-shirt is all over every arena, which is rarely louder than when Cole leads the crowd in his call-and-response bit.

But you simply aren't allowed to book Orange Cassidy in any capacity, and that is because...

 
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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!