How WWE Treats Ex-AEW Wrestlers Shows How Much They Changed
Matthew Perez Highlights
- WWE keeping AEW wrestlers' gimmicks shows respect
- Cody Rhodes wasn't the only one to retain his AEW persona
- WWE admitting AEW does things well marks a positive change
Over the last couple of years, WWE has perhaps gone through more change than it ever has. Gone are the days of Vince McMahon’s tyrannic control, doing things his way, booking in nonsensical fashion, changing scripts an hour before the show, and every other negative he brought to the product. WWE’s sale to TKO and Vince McMahon’s lawsuit and allegations saw Triple H take creative control and bring a new way of doing things in the company. There are several examples of this which can be seen thus far, but one of those has been the presentation of wrestlers coming into the promotion, specifically those from AEW.
Cody Rhodes' Gimmick In WWE Is The Same From AEW
WWE Used To Change The Characters Of New Superstars
- Cody Rhodes kept his music, nickname, and look from AEW
- WWE used what AEW did well and built upon it
- Cody Rhodes has made reference to his AEW past many times
The first big star to make the jump from AEW to WWE was Cody Rhodes. The former AEW EVP’s shocking exit in 2022 was one which really did rock the professional wrestling world. Rhodes re-signed with WWE and arrived at WrestleMania 38, and whilst fans would believe that there would likely be some elements of his AEW persona, there were few who expected his presentation to be exactly the same, more or less. He was billed as “The American Nightmare”, he retained his “Kingdom” music, his robe was the same, his logo was the same, and everything from his moveset, cadence, and persona was pretty much a carbon copy.
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Before AEW was the promotion it is today, Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks went All In and delivered an epic indie show!Of course, Rhodes’ AEW run didn’t progress favorably, but WWE retained all the positive aspects of his character and gimmick that worked so well in the early days of AEW, and added all of the WWE production value and spectacle. WWE realized that whilst things may not have worked in AEW, his sort of character was a perfect fit for the world of WWE. Even though WWE have shied away in the past, they embraced everything built by AEW when it comes to Rhodes and used it to their advantage, making one of the biggest stars in wrestling and one of WWE’s most consistently popular babyfaces in years.
Jade Cargill, Andrade, And Shawn Spears Kept Their AEW Gimmicks And Presentation
AEW Stars Are Allowed To Keep Their Names In WWE
- Jade Cargill was given a similar look and music upon her WWE debut
- Shawn Spears surprisingly kept his name when signing with WWE again
- Andrade retained his AEW look when returning at the Royal Rumble
When looking at Cody Rhodes, one could assume him to be a special case given his star power, but this trend has continued in other arrivals from AEW such as Jade Cargill, Andrade, and Shawn Spears. For Cargill and Spears, it is a surprise that WWE didn’t change their names, especially since WWE has been very adamant on changing ring names here, there, and everywhere, especially when it comes to new arrivals from other promotions. Rare cases in recent years exist, but for many wrestlers their old identities have gone - this has not been the case for those coming from AEW.
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AEW has been known to take shots at WWE, particularly Tony Khan. While WWE aren't as vocal, they've taken some shots at AEW as well.It is most surprising for Shawn Spears, who previously wrestled in WWE as Tye Dillinger in a prominent enough position for people to remember him. Since returning to WWE he has retained his AEW name and entrance style, with the spotlight and chair. Cargill’s debut at the Royal Rumble saw WWE keep the “A Storm Is Coming” phrase in her entrance and with a similar theme too. In Andrade’s case, he has kept the suited look and mask he was using in AEW when returning to WWE at the Royal Rumble. All three of these individuals keeping their AEW looks and gimmicks is certainly not just a coincidence.
WWE Is Admitting That AEW Can Do Things Well
WWE Using AEW’s Presentation Is A Clear Change In Their Philosophy
- Vince McMahon used to think he knew best
- WWE changed wrestlers in ways which made them worse
- WWE looks to have changed their ways
It is very clear that when signing these talents, WWE have looked at their runs in AEW and decided that Tony Khan was doing a good enough job to warrant continuing these presentations in WWE. In the past, WWE and Vince McMahon would have perhaps been too proud to do something like that, thinking them above other promotions and doing things their own way, but this is a clear sign of change in WWE.
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Vince McMahon finds himself in legal trouble once again. Here are a few facts and details regarding his latest lawsuit.Treating AEW wrestlers with clear respect (rather than contempt and punishment for making a name for themselves elsewhere) and an eye to retain what made them successful outside of WWE is a very good and positive sign for the future, and it will no doubt encourage other talents to potentially consider a move to WWE if it is possible.
