Predicting The Next 10 AEW World Champions

Let’s start with a note of caution on Hook. In a sense, he still feels as much meme as wrestler, a throwaway joke turned flesh. The business with Danhausen has been a blast but hasn’t really helped matters, and he hasn’t been tested too much in the ring.

On the other hand, though, everything we’ve seen from him so far has been pretty great. Hook gets it. He understands what he brings to the table - an incredible look, explosiveness, athleticism, a mean streak. No doubt with the tutelage of his father, he gives only what he needs and has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.

While it’s way too soon to coronate Hook, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t be something truly special. He has mowed through lower-mid carders with ease, and is being utilised patiently, sparingly. Build him up with increasingly testing opponents, continue to colour in his character, and there’s definitely something there.

Hook vs Jungle Boy for the title could be a triumph inside and out of the ring, proving without a doubt that AEW has an infrastructure in place to create, nurture, and push some of the most exciting young performers in the business.