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Besides WWE, there's no doubt AEW currently has one of the most skilled rosters in the wrestling business. The continual stream of World Wrestling Entertainment megastars jumping ship to AEW is yet another testament to how fast Tony Khan's organization is growing as a competitor to WWE. Furthermore, there are frequent instances of wrestlers from both promotions taking digs at each other, both in a friendly and less-than-friendly way.
However, many wrestlers of these competitive brands have ties to each other. Fans will be surprised to learn that some homegrown AEW stars were trained by WWE Hall of Famers. This adds another layer to the complex nature of the wrestling industry. While AEW seems interested in building its roster of homegrown stars from the ground up, guidance from established veterans helps.
It's good to see that future AEW stars are trained by wrestlers of such esteem. Here are five All Elite wrestlers trained by WWE Hall of Famers.
#5. Bryan Danielson was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels
Bryan Danielson was arguably the biggest AEW signing of 2021. Tony Khan pulled a masterstroke by acquiring one of the most coveted wrestlers from WWE, which massively boosted AEW's brand image. Even hardcore fans of Vince McMahon's promotion were forced to admit that AEW had risen as a serious competitor.
According to Bryan's official Wikipedia page, Shawn Michaels is mentioned as one of his trainers. The former WWE Superstar was also trained by Rudy Boy Gonzalez and was a part of the Texas Wrestling Academy.
Training with a Hall of Famer like Shawn Michaels certainly shows, given that Bryan Danielson has come a long way. His most recent feud against Hangman Adam Page is evidence enough of his capabilities. The 60-minute bout Bryan had with Page has already been hailed as one of the greatest fights in AEW history.
With the heritage that Danielson is building for himself, it's safe to say that he's currently in the prime of his career. Fans will remember his younger days fondly, which molded him under the tutelage of Shawn Michaels to be who he is today.
#4. Adam Cole was also trained by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels
Training from a WWE Hall of Famer is bound to have an impact on most wrestlers, and it shows in Adam Cole. The Panama City Playboy was also trained by Shawn Michaels during his time in WWE NXT. Cole pointed out before how much he respects The Heartbreak Kid and called him the greatest pro-wrestler of all time.
During an interview with TV Insider, Cole opened up about his time in the NXT and the influence Shawn Michaels had on his career:
"I’ve been so open with how much of a relationship I formed with Shawn Michaels. He's an idol of mine. A guy I look at as the greatest professional wrestler of all-time."
Cole is currently one of the hottest heels in AEW. His in-ring skills, along with a banger entrance song, have earned him a dedicated fanbase. It's no surprise that, even as a heel, he receives some of the biggest receptions due to his charisma.
Adam Cole is one of the most promising stars in AEW right now. It will be exciting to see how his run progresses.
#3. Chris Jericho was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart
No one can argue that Chris Jericho is one of the greatest pro-wrestlers of all time. Of course, such accomplishments can only happen when roots are strong. It's not surprising that Y2J was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart. The Hart family's famed Dungeon remains a legendary site in the minds of wrestling fans around the world, and Jericho trained in the very same place.
Chris Jericho benefited from training with a legendary veteran like Stu Hart, no matter how intense it was. Many would argue that this phase in his younger days enabled Jericho to have one of the most epic careers in pro-wrestling.
#2. Hangman Adam Page was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant
Induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is a seal of recognition for the greatest wrestlers of all time, and Jimmy Valiant fits the bill. AEW fans might not know this, but Hangman Adam Page was also trained by the aforementioned Hall of Famer, as reported by Cole's Wikipedia Profile.
Page is currently one of AEW's most promising talents, and Tony Khan is pushing the AEW World Champion to be the face of the company. Of course, this is only possible because of Hangman's brilliant in-ring skills. Although The Cowboy is a little rusty with the mic, he has proven to be a capable entertainer.
Apart from that, Adam Page has demonstrated that his training with Hall of Famer Jimmy Valiant served him well. His moves generally keep fans hungry for more. It will be exciting to see where the AEW World Champion goes in 2022.
#1. Sammy Guevara was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T
Sammy Guevara has carved a place for himself in AEW, being recognized as one of the four pillars of the company. Accomplishments like his are no small feat, especially considering his relatively young age. The Spanish God owes much of his talent to training with WWE Hall of Famer Booker T as a student at Reality of Wrestling School in 2010.
Sammy Guevara has previously acknowledged Booker T's contribution to his career in his younger years. The Spanish God is currently the Interim TNT Champion in AEW.
Sammy Guevara has a lot to do this year, and it'll be a treat to watch him perform against the talented AEW roster. The situation with Cody Rhodes being the TNT Champion also opens up the possibility of a Champion vs. Champion fight, which is going to interest many AEW fans.
