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The advent of AEW has created a flutter in the world of professional wrestling. They pose a big threat to WWE and other wrestling promotions.
They have hired a good management team consisting of Cody Rhodes, Matt Jackson, and others.
They are on their way to sign up wrestlers from their rivals. Like any other organization, AEW would have to ensure proper utilization of their human resources to gain competitive advantage.
Wrestlers are the backbone of wrestling. They are the ones who perform and attract wrestling fans. Here are five wrestlers who can make or break AEW within the first year itself.
#4 Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega is the executive vice president and an in-ring talent at AEW. He spent nine years in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, IWGP US Championship, and IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
The Best Bout Machine defeated Tetsuya Naito, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kazuchika Okada in legendary matches.
Cody Rhodes described the importance of having Omega in AEW by saying,
"He likes kung fu, and he likes anime, and he likes all of these cinematic, artistic representations of violence and physicality. And he looks to those, and he pulls from those. That's needed. That's special. He's not just stealing from the past. He's just creating right there on the spot."
Whether he can repeat his NJPW performance and creativity in AEW remains to be seen, but his ability and innovativeness can make him an asset for the company.
#3 Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is a legend in the world of professional wrestling. It has been almost 30 years since he started fighting as a pro-wrestler. His exploits with WWE cements his legacy as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Having achieved all the success, Jericho has now signed up with AEW to promote Tony Khan's brand.
Jericho's enormous star power and personal relationships have started the influx of wrestlers from WWE to AEW.
Some of the notable names are Pac, Christopher Daniels, and others. Jericho plans to be one of the top heel.
Whether the 48-year-old would be accepted or not, only the audience will decide. His ability to deliver inside the ring and as an executive will also determine the fate of AEW.
#2 Cody Rhodes
It was Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks who created AEW out of Tony Khan's vision. Rhodes has featured in most promotions, and his YouTube show Road to Double or Nothing has been a spectacular success story.
He is the key person who will have to work on a ton of things including promotion, marketing, operations, and other stuff to make or break AEW within the first 12 months.
The American Nightmare has been a terrific wrestler and a shrewd businessman, so he will put all his energy and efforts to provide direction to AEW and place it in competition with WWE.
Within the ring, fans can expect him to be a fierce competitor. It is his management skills that will decide the fate of AEW in the first year.
Rhodes can certainly use his father's creativity to give a competitive edge to AEW. Dusty Rhodes has been an icon in the wrestling world.
Together with Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson, and Matt Jackson, he plans to provide a buffet of entertainment to the fans. Brandi Rhodes who is the Chief Brand Officer is his wife, so he has support from all quarters to make AEW a success.
#1 Adam Page
Adam Page has traditional style as well as Japanese Strong Style of wrestling which makes him an important asset for AEW. In the inaugural promotion, he proclaimed that he will become the first AEW champion by defeating Pac in 'Double or Nothing' PPV event.
The West Virginian, who was a school teacher and a graphic designer, rose to stardom in NJPW. Hangman Page delivered an exquisite performance last year when he defeated Joey Janela.
He is very adaptable inside the ring and exudes confidence which makes him a favorite among fans.
The performer in him can attract a huge crowd, so Khan will have to use him tactically to ensure his optimum utilization.
At 27, Page has a long way to go. Jericho and Rhodes would have to give him complete freedom to ensure he grows along with the brand. He can also be an effective heel and has the talent to carry it through and through.
The onus is on AEW management to ensure how they utilize him. If they give him good storylines and gimmicks, he can bring in loads of money for the company.
They can try to position him such that it reaps a huge reward or else it can backfire.
