I will start this off by fully admitting I do not watch professional wrestling, so my knowledge of how a Chris Jericho and MJF AEW match ended up with Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ TIAA Bank Field.
What I do know is the head coach and assistant coach of the Jags were in an office when the pair of wrestlers came in and watched them demolish each other. Strong gave Jericho some footballs to peg his opponent with and Meyer politely handed over a laptop to smack MJF with. It was kind of wild and weird and altogether amusing.
It’s worth noting that Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s son Tony is an owner/president/CEO of AEW, which might explain the appearance.
When Urban Meyer is informed that Tim Tebow hasnât blocked a defensive end all week and caught less than 1/3 of his targets on passing downs in camp pic.twitter.com/Zht0YUf9Qd
We last saw pro wrestling icon Sting inside a wrestling ring as an active competitor in 2015, before he eventually retired and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
On Wednesday night’s special episode of AEW Dynamite, the now 61-year-old made a shocking return to wrestling, marking his first appearance on TNT in nearly 20 years, since the end of WCW. Sting interrupted a tag match and walked to the ring with his signature baseball bat as the limited audience in Jacksonville lost it. After staring down Arn Anderson, Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin, Sting exited. Commentator Jim Ross later revealed that Sting had signed a multi-year deal with AEW, and would speak for the first time next week on Dynamite.
AEW fans couldn’t believe it.
This.
Darby Allin at 27 years old. Sting at 61. Two wrestlers, on different sides of the same coin, from two completely different eras.
I went crazy for the wrestler, Sting, in the 80âs. Lost my mind in the late 90âs when he appeared on the Upright Citizens Brigade tv show. Tonight, I lost my mind seeing Sting debut on #AEWDynamite
In a little over one year, All Elite Wrestling’s roster of game-changing stars has gone from outcast to The Cast . It has been a whirlwind path that has struck a chord with fans since 2019, providing a “something for everyone” experience through …
It has been a whirlwind path that has struck a chord with fans since 2019, providing a “something for everyone” experience through great storytelling and edge-of-your-seat entertainmentâwhich makes the overall AEW promotion so unique.
What’s ahead? To borrow a term from the collaboration between AEW and Director X… it’s “Boundless.”
Although 2020 has done its best to curtail the momentum, the high-octane star power and wrestling displays have been too great for even the newest fans tuning in to overlook.Â
The feeling has been a mutual admiration for AEW, and one we found to be about as spot-on accurate as some of the incredible leaps from the top ropes. It checks all the boxes you’d hope for in a professional wrestling promotionâor really, longed for in a professional wrestling promotion.
To beat the three count: It rules.
And while the entire lineup deserves a victory lap around Daily’s Place, few can claim supremacy in 2020âin the ring and beyondâlike these six talents can…
Jon Moxley
It seems like Moxley’s AEW unveiling at “All or Nothing” back in May of 2019 was only yesterdayâwhich is a strong testament to how polarizing he is and why he continually gets the nod as one of the biggest stars in all of wrestling.
In 2020 however, Moxley’s rule is based on a simple fact that’s hard to ignore: you might get close, but a submission is nearly impossible. He’s currently undefeated, and for 250-plus days and counting, been the AEW World Champion.
He’s been at a constant tug-of-war with the other wrestlers, too, overcoming possible setups (ahem: The Inner Circle) on his way to championship glory. Combine all of it and there hasn’t been a moment when Moxley is anywhere near an AEW competition that hasn’t been must-see TV.
Like this one that even involved a fan!
‘Freshly Squeezed’ Orange Cassidy
While Orange Cassidy might not carry the hardware or overall record in 2020 like a few other wrestlers, his persona is one of the main reasons why AEW is so fun to watch. He’s not the most prominent, strongest figure or clad in spandex and high-laced leather boots. He’s just…cool. And that’s why he’s been one of our favorites in 2020.
In fact, that type of honor isn’t a one-way agreement; the laid-back style and denim with shades have been a substantial fan-favorite.
But don’t be fooled by the Ryan Gosling-esque breeziness; Cassidy’s tormenting “Kicks of Doom” can quickly turn into a textbook definition of a beatdownâsomething that Chris Jericho learned back in June.
Hikaru Shida
She holds the AEW Women’s World Championship (160-plus days and counting) and is one of the most-dominating stars in the entire AEW lineup. Shida spins style and beauty with all-out terror and athleticism like few can achieve, and it’s been like a mini-series inside the series.
She’s undoubtedly a star.
Beyond the records and breath-stealing knees to her opponent’s chest, though, she hits on a larger scaleâa perfect fit that highlights an overall mission AEW works so hard to promote.
Shida’s taking a lot of the narrative that we’ve been accustomed to seeing in professional wrestlingâor any male-dominated sport, for that matterâand proving, if you really want it, the dream is there for the taking (or, in the case of the clip below, striking!).Â
Nyla Rose
Nyla Rose was one of the wrestlers who came to the forefront of the “Boundless” seriesâthat’s her pictured above with Director X from the setâwhich only adds to her impressive 2020. Although she lost the title to Shida this past May, her original championship belt grab in February was still one of the top performances of the year (you can check it out in the video below), and displayed why she’s such a fun wrestler to watch.
Rose, who is the first openly transgender woman ever in professional wrestling, has a personality and on-camera presence that are uncanny, and provides so much to the AEW promotionâin so many areas that we could probably do another five rankings that just focus on her.
FTR
Spike piledrivers, anyone?
Some of the more jaw-dropping moments during “AEW Dynamite” and the special events come from the tag-team matchups’ athletic marveling. High-flying, powerful, it’s combative art on a canvas ring that garners fan chatter well after the winners are decided.
And at the top of the list is Dax Harwood and Cash Wheelâaka, FTR.
The pair’s brief time on AEW (since last May) has only escalated their reputation as a dual-force in professional wrestling, and it’s not surprising they have held the AEW World Tag Team Champions honor.Â
Of course, AEW fans might argue that the current champsâThe Young Bucksâshould get more shine in this instance, which is a fair point.
After watching both, however, we sided with FTR. Â
Most people probably wouldn’t associate art imitating life with professional wrestling, but maybe that’s because they never heard of All Elite Wrestling. Or Director X. The two have joined creative forces, collaborating on a campaign that goes …
Most people probably wouldn’t associate art imitating life with professional wrestling, but maybe that’s because they never heard of All Elite Wrestling. Or Director X. The two have joined creative forces, collaborating on a campaign that goes beyond the high-flying leaps and body slams and into a rare corner of the sport: the strong character behind the strong character.
And now, from that corner, AEW’s “Underdog Story” is ready for introductions.
The series, which will air on TNT, highlights some of AEW’s biggest stars, the larger-than-life personalities who have the energy to pop through the television screen.
However, what each wrestler reveals is not a string of soundbites, but instead an athlete’s journey that focuses on overcoming struggles and stereotypes, and how each found a welcomed spot within the AEW promotion.Â
To get an insightful peek at the productionâincluding why this campaign works for even the most casual of fansâFTW spoke to the man who was behind the lens, Director X.
Here’s what we learned…
The perfect match
“As wrestlers, not only do we love and appreciate the physicality, but also the opportunity to explore our creativity. The shoot itself let us take something minimal about ourselves, while Director X showcased it as larger than life.” — Colt Cabana
“I know what it’s like to be doubted,” Director X began during our phone call. “I think a lot of people can relate to that. Where you have a dream, but you’re not the ideal. Or, for whatever reason, they’re just looking at you like ‘you can’t do this.'”
X, who has worked with big names in music and entertainment, recently launched a production company called FELA, which aims to âtell cultural stories authentically while being a voice for the unheard and underrepresented.”
That type of mission matched with AEW’s and progressed from a campaign concept, into an actual production.
The “boundless” vision
“Having a beautiful woman be this destructive force wreaking havoc on a car is a bit taboo in a way. I just loved the overall vibe and, of course, loved the opportunity to smash up a gorgeous car.” — Nyla Rose
Of course, the director’s abilities are only a piece of the puzzle. For the concept to echo the groundbreaking surge that AEW has managed in such a short time, a lot of the proverbial heavy lifting would need to come from the wrestler’s stories, and more so, their personalities.
And, as Director X explained, none of them failed to deliver.
“It’s not just, every day going and exercising, it’s not just, every day going and training,” he noted. “A lot of them have this confidence that they will reach their goalâif they set their minds to it, they’ll make it.”
AEW’s no stranger to an underdog story
“A lot of us feel boundless any time we get into the ring, and we want the fans to feel boundless watching. Anything and everything is possible with All Elite Wrestling!” — Nick Jackson, Young Bucks
Founded by Tony Khan in 2019, with his father Shahid as the principal investor, AEW set out to provide an alternative to mainstream wrestling (which hasn’t always been the simplest of tasks).
One year later, the wrestling promotion has continued to grow, bringing in world-class talent in both women’s and men’s wrestling, while developing supportive messagingâa unique stance that celebrates athletes and fans, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity.
And for the naysayers who don’t believe in a wrestling show presented by wrestlers? The answer, as Director X noticed, is personified in the talent.
“There’s a bunch of things that we’re like ‘OK. Anyone can do that’…but wrestling? Well, I don’t know.’ There’s a standard that’s going on. And these guys proved that, no, there’s not. They can be just as great, and be just as successful, and just as loved. And actually, even more impressive.”
The impact outside of the ring
“Not just me, even the crewâwe were coming away from some of these interviews, and we were all inspired. We were walking away like ‘Yo! I’m kind of hyped-up to hear everyone talk about the mindset that you have to have to play this game, to be in this world.'” — Director X
The inspiration from a show today, a new fan tomorrow. When AEW, Director X and each inspiring athlete collaborated to bring these “boundless” stories to the forefront, it set up a distinctive type of sports entertainment that can be highly impactful.
Whether you are a diehard or a new fan, it’s easy to pull for someone you can relate to, which is something X reflected on as we ended our conversation.
“[Underdog Story] is a true, honest-to-god manifestation of believing in yourself and not listening to what the world says. It’s following a passion and a thing you love.”
Most people probably wouldn’t associate art imitating life with professional wrestling, but maybe that’s because they never heard of All Elite Wrestling. Or Director X. The two have joined creative forces, collaborating on a campaign that goes …
Most people probably wouldn’t associate art imitating life with professional wrestling, but maybe that’s because they never heard of All Elite Wrestling. Or Director X. The two have joined creative forces, collaborating on a campaign that goes beyond the high-flying leaps and body slams and into a rare corner of the sport: the strong character behind the strong character.
And now, from that corner, AEW’s “Underdog Story” is ready for introductions.
The series, which will air on TNT, highlights some of AEW’s biggest stars, the larger-than-life personalities who have the energy to pop through the television screen.
However, what each wrestler reveals is not a string of soundbites, but instead an athlete’s journey that focuses on overcoming struggles and stereotypes, and how each found a welcomed spot within the AEW promotion.Â
To get an insightful peek at the productionâincluding why this campaign works for even the most casual of fansâList Wire spoke to the man who was behind the lens, Director X.
Here’s what we learned…
The perfect match
“As wrestlers, not only do we love and appreciate the physicality, but also the opportunity to explore our creativity. The shoot itself let us take something minimal about ourselves, while Director X showcased it as larger than life.” — Colt Cabana
“I know what it’s like to be doubted,” Director X began during our phone call. “I think a lot of people can relate to that. Where you have a dream, but you’re not the ideal. Or, for whatever reason, they’re just looking at you like ‘you can’t do this.'”
X, who has worked with big names in music and entertainment, recently launched a production company called FELA, which aims to âtell cultural stories authentically while being a voice for the unheard and underrepresented.”
That type of mission matched with AEW’s and progressed from a campaign concept, into an actual production.
The “boundless” vision
“Having a beautiful woman be this destructive force wreaking havoc on a car is a bit taboo in a way. I just loved the overall vibe and, of course, loved the opportunity to smash up a gorgeous car.” — Nyla Rose
Of course, the director’s abilities are only a piece of the puzzle. For the concept to echo the groundbreaking surge that AEW has managed in such a short time, a lot of the proverbial heavy lifting would need to come from the wrestler’s stories, and more so, their personalities.
And, as Director X explained, none of them failed to deliver.
“It’s not just, every day going and exercising, it’s not just, every day going and training,” he noted. “A lot of them have this confidence that they will reach their goalâif they set their minds to it, they’ll make it.”
AEW’s no stranger to an underdog story
“A lot of us feel boundless any time we get into the ring, and we want the fans to feel boundless watching. Anything and everything is possible with All Elite Wrestling!” — Nick Jackson, Young Bucks
Founded by Tony Khan in 2019, with his father Shahid as the principal investor, AEW set out to provide an alternative to mainstream wrestling (which hasn’t always been the simplest of tasks).
One year later, the wrestling promotion has continued to grow, bringing in world-class talent in both women’s and men’s wrestling, while developing supportive messagingâa unique stance that celebrates athletes and fans, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity.
And for the naysayers who don’t believe in a wrestling show presented by wrestlers? The answer, as Director X noticed, is personified in the talent.
“There’s a bunch of things that we’re like ‘OK. Anyone can do that’…but wrestling? Well, I don’t know.’ There’s a standard that’s going on. And these guys proved that, no, there’s not. They can be just as great, and be just as successful, and just as loved. And actually, even more impressive.”
The impact outside of the ring
“Not just me, even the crewâwe were coming away from some of these interviews, and we were all inspired. We were walking away like ‘Yo! I’m kind of hyped-up to hear everyone talk about the mindset that you have to have to play this game, to be in this world.'” — Director X
The inspiration from a show today, a new fan tomorrow. When AEW, Director X and each inspiring athlete collaborated to bring these “boundless” stories to the forefront, it set up a distinctive type of sports entertainment that can be highly impactful.
Whether you are a diehard or a new fan, it’s easy to pull for someone you can relate to, which is something X reflected on as we ended our conversation.
“[Underdog Story] is a true, honest-to-god manifestation of believing in yourself and not listening to what the world says. It’s following a passion and a thing you love.”