14 Ups & 5 Downs For AEW In 2021

9. The Next Pillars

Daniel Garcia
AEW

AEW is meanwhile building the next crop of talent quite brilliantly.

Daniel Garcia is a prodigy whose inexperience accounts for his losses. A technically sublime pin-eater who plays Billy Big B*llocks to his cost, in storylines, he's a super-valuable undercard asset whose time will come. We know this because Jungle Boy's has. The narrative ecosystem is working in perfect harmony.

Dante Martin is a mind-blowing pro wrestler, the next evolution of aerial artistry, and his stellar work is currently being rewarded with a compelling, unpredictable storyline. Lee Johnson isn't quite so far along, but is gaining experience. Lee Moriarty, another technical wizard, is, much like Garcia, an excellent talent to absorb the losses that propel winners forward. He's young. AEW utilises this as a means of booking definitive outcomes with an in-built explanation that doesn't diminish his value.

Red Velvet has raw fire and a likeable demeanour. Jade Cargill has a manager she can bin off to explain why her incredible physique isn't getting it done.

These talents aren't fully formed TV stars, but AEW is providing them a storyline "out" that is far less insulting than some bullsh*t distraction or other.

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Contributor
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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!