The Huge Untapped Potential Of AEW's Anna Jay
Keen fans were aware of the pattern; when AEW promotes a name act "in action," that act is certain to swiftly defeat an enhancement talent within minutes before cutting a promo to declare or hint at their future direction. The twist was great: she was instead confronted by the creepy Abadon, "the horror movie come to life," who squashed her and no-sold her fire-up spot. The idea was that Jay was totally helpless, and thus susceptible to the advances of Mr. Brodie Lee and the Dark Order.
AEW leant on her persona to lend this development a certain pathos and credibility. She was the 'Star Of The Show,' a picture of suburban innocence, and a routine, star-making win had all but been laid out for her. But she failed. The predatory Dark Order stable recognised this, and preyed on her shattered confidence to recruit her, knowing that her naivety was the way in. All of this is to state that AEW recognise what they have with her. That arc is creative, detailed and consistent within a division that cannot yet be accurately described using those words on the whole.
Jay is a revelation as the Dark Order's #99, and her presence was not remotely dwarfed by Cody nor Brodie in the astounding closing angle of Saturday Night Dynamite. She grasps that which can't be taught.
She wore two exceptional facial expressions during that angle. As Brandi Rhodes tended to her injured husband, Evil Uno beckoned Anna Jay from the back. She looked towards Brodie and awaited instruction with eyes wide open in tranced relish. She then choked out Brandi with a killer's glee. Neither expression was as hammy as those descriptions may suggest. She is a natural.
CONT'D...(3 of 6)