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AEW's Hook has been impressing wrestling fans with his excellent in-ring technique and dominant performances so far. While he's only had two matches, most recently to Bear Bronson on AEW Rampage, the support for him is clear.
The praise that Hook has received from the wrestling industry has been far and wide. Even wrestling legend Jim Cornette professes to be a fan and has offered his opinion on his podcast as to how AEW should book Taz's son going forward.
"If you did it every week, then you would expect him to imminently be involved with something, which would be a little fast for him because he’s brand new. If he comes out every three weeks and has a match like that and it’s maybe excerpted or video highlighted or talked about in a training packing, or a promo, or a b-roll over a 30-second interview on a show in the middle?"
"You keep him out there and you keep people aware of his presence without shoving him down their throats because the weekly wins are for guys you bring in to get over to use now; and that’s not a guy that’s had two matches. So it needs to be a little slower, a little more drawn out, and you don’t want to [do that]." - Jim Cornette
The burden is now on AEW to keep Hook's momentum going. But who should he face next? Here are 5 opponents the young wrestler should go against.
#5. Former AEW TNT champion Sammy Guevara
Former TNT champion Sammy Guevara has grown in leaps and bounds since his AEW debut. Not only are his high-flying abilities top notch, Sammy is now also a highly popular babyface in the company.
Putting Hook up against the Inner Circle original will make for a great clash of styles. Grappler vs. high-flyer. Technique vs. finesse. Hook's debut was against Fuego Del Sol, a wrestler who sold for his offense brilliantly and who's similar to Sammy in many ways.
Not only can Sammy replicate the same performance, it's guaranteed that the crowd will get into it and root for both men.
#4. AEW's enigmatic star Darby Allin
AEW's most enigmatic wrestler, Darby Allin, has had a stellar 2021. Flanked by wrestling legend Sting, the young star has taken on all comers, including bouts with MJF and CM Punk.
From the half-face paint, daredevil attitude to the mysterious black-and-white persona, it is a cool X-factor that has helped Darby Allin create a bond with the AEW audience. The homegrown AEW wrestler is also lauded for being one of the company's four pillars. At only 28 years old, the former TNT champion is already arguably a made man in AEW and it would a good move to use his star power to elevate even younger talent such as Hook.
Hook vs. Darby Allin brings together two wrestlers who'd rather let their actions do the talking. Not only are they hugely popular with the AEW audience, their match promises to be a hard-hitting affair. Both young stars won't back down from the challenge and it will be interesting to see how Hook can keep up with Darby's non-stop offense.
#3. Fellow Team Taz member AEW's Ricky Starks
When AEW first created Team Taz and put together the likes of Brian Cage, Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs, there were high hopes for the faction. With ECW legend Taz as the mouthpiece, many thought that Ricky Starks would break out as the highlighted star of the group. He has it all: the look, wrestling ability and natural charisma. Some AEW fans even pointed out his passing resemblance to The Rock.
Starks is obviously not on the level of the Great One yet but the wrestler certainly has all the tools to be the next big thing in AEW. While many have pegged Starks to become a breakout star of the group, it seems like Hook has overtaken him in this regard.
This could cause dissension between the two Team Taz members down the road and end up in a blow-off match if AEW chooses to go in that direction. Ricky Starks is also the current FTW champion and while the belt is not officially recognized by the company, the wrestler has made it known that he wants to defend it regularly.
What better way for Hook to raise his profile in AEW by winning the title made famous by his father Taz? Hook, the FTW champion, just feels right and he can use that victory over Starks to take his rightful place as the face of Team Taz.
#2. Hook's former AEW trainer Cody Rhodes
AEW seems to be planting seeds for a potential match-up between Hook and TNT champion Cody Rhodes in the not-too-distant future. After last week's AEW Rampage went off the air, the American Nightmare celebrated with his family after winning the TNT championship for a record three times.
During his post-match celebrations, Cody brought out AEW President Tony Khan, who congratulated Cody on his historic title win. Khan then proceeded to bring out Hook, who made his way to the ring and was offered a handshake by Cody Rhodes. Hook went on to slap Cody to the delight of the audience.
There is history between the two competitors as the young wrestler was first trained by Cody Rhodes before he appeared on television with Team Taz. Having a student vs. mentor storyline benefits both parties. Hook gets the rub from one of AEW's top stars regardless of whether he wins or loses. If Cody is the one to hand the rookie his first loss, imagine the heat he will get from the fans who already want the EVP to turn heel.
#1. AEW's biggest draw CM Punk
AEW's ultimate Hook dream match-up is inevitably a clash with CM Punk. The Straightedge Superstar's promo on Team Taz, where he asked to "Send Hook," has launched a thousand memes. While it was a throwaway line at that point, it created a groundswell of viral support for the young rookie and made him a cult hero of sorts.
Punk would have enjoyed the rub he gave the youngster and the potential to put Hook over in a match would appeal to the veteran. It's not out of character for Punk to actually put Hook over if it meant elevating a potential star of the future.
This doesn't have to happen so soon but it only feels appropriate that the guy that helped start the Hook hype train would be the one to elevate the youngster to the next level. Here's hoping that AEW plays their cards right and pulls the trigger when Hook has gained enough momentum to believably take on Punk.
