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AEW has quickly become one of the most successful wrestling companies in the world. In numerous ways, WWE has not had a rival competitor of the same magnitude since WCW.
How exactly did Khan's promotion accomplish such a historic feat where other companies failed? The answer: through its incredible talents and the company's commitment to providing adult-oriented wrestling entertainment.
In many ways, AEW resembles the more smashmouth programming style of WWE in the 1990s', with WWE standing in for the family-friendly WCW. Not only that, but there are also plenty of uncanny resemblances between current All Elite wrestlers and Attitude Era talent as well.
Here are five All Elite wrestlers and the Attitude Era personalities they resemble.
#5. AEW's Ricky Starks resembles a young Rock
Ricky Starks is considered a wrestler who will eventually become a top star in AEW. The member of Team Taz has gotten over with audience members through his comedic, entertaining promo skills and athletic in-ring ability.
Starks' personality, appearance, and career so far closely resembles that of The Rock in 1997. Both stars joined a wrestling faction that they quickly became the leader of (Starks in Team Taz, The Rock in the Nation of Domination). The two are also known for their ability to cut incredible promos. Starks even seems to have modeled his current appearance on that of The Brahma Bull.
Like everyone else, we're curious to see where Starks' future lies, but so far, the similarities he shares to a young Dwayne Johnson are striking to say the least.
#4. AEW's Malakai Black is Ministry of Darkness era Undertaker
Since joining AEW, Malakai Black has proven himself as one of the most ominous wrestlers on Dynamite. His darker character relies on a horror movie-like presence that seems to be straight out of Norse mythology.
His dominant reign in the company and quest to recruit wrestlers into the House of Black show the similarities between Black and The Undertaker. From 1998 to 1999, the Dead Man wreaked havoc as the head of the Ministry of Darkness.
Taker's malevolent gimmick was similar to that of Black's. Like The Dutchman, The Undertaker relied on a demonic presence to strike fear into the hearts of opponents. He would constantly try and recruit new wrestlers into joining his faction, much like Black.
Though their in-ring styles differ greatly, it's easy to see how closely the two veteran wrestlers resemble one another in terms of onscreen personas.
#3. AEW's Bryan Danielson is the no-nonsense version of Bret Hart
In the late 1990s', Bret Hart entered a new phase in his career. After beating Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13, fans turned on the Hit Man. After turning heel, Hart relied on a more serious, sadistic side of his character. He would viciously attack his opponents even after a match had ended.
After Bryan Danielson's first few months in AEW saw him in the role of fan-favorite, The American Dragon underwent a change similar to Hart's back in 1997. Beginning with his feud against Hangman Page, Danielson began exhibiting a more heel-like attitude.
He also began adopting more hard-hitting tactics, brutally and maliciously punishing opponents. Also becoming known for keeping his submission holds locked in even after the end of a match for added effect.
Due to his submission-based style, Danielson has long earned comparisons to The Hit Man. As a heel, the similarities between the two only seem to grow.
#2. AEW's version of Stone Cold is Jon Moxley
When he made his debut in AEW, Jon Moxley returned to the hardcore style of wrestling that he'd popularized before joining WWE. Moxley has since been credited with bringing that more extreme style of wrestling to AEW, alongside Eddie Kingston and Joey Janela.
An argument could be made that Moxley is closer to Mick Foley than he is to Stone Cold. However, in terms of personality, Moxley is more akin to Austin than anyone else.
Both are brawler-heavy wrestlers that are considered star players in their wrestling promotion. Their lengthy championship runs and characters are also somewhat similar, as both opted to battle corrupt villainous factions who essentially ran their company.
While Moxley would eventually partner with Eddie Kingston, the first phase of his AEW career directly mirrors that of Stone Cold during The Rattlesnake's peak.
#1. Adam Cole as DX era Shawn Michaels
There are so many parallels between Adam Cole and Shawn Michaels, it's hard to know where to begin. Both wrestlers share a similar in-ring wrestling style, favoring a mix of chops, occasional high-flying moves, and superkicks. Both are also known for being heel leaders of a major faction, leading them to become popular talents in their respective companies.
Cole's role in Tony Khan's promotion more or less resembles that of HBK's in WWE in 1997. As part of DX, HBK was known for exploiting the rules of wrestling. Frequently cheating to win and relying on outside interference from Triple H and Chyna, Michaels became the main heel in WWE.
Nowadays, fans can certainly see Cole adopting a similar persona as the defacto leader of The Elite. Should Cole earn main event status or turn face at some point, it'd be interesting to see whether he'd have the same popularity as Michaels had.
