The Protagonist
By Scott Keith on 15 January 2025
You can point to alot of reasons right now to what is wrong in AEW, but to me the biggest issue who is the main character that makes you care about tuning in. The reason for WWEs success right now is because you know who the main characters are. Every promotion is putting on classic matches weekly, that is not enough anymore. I know who Tony wants to be the main characters, but it's not who I think the main character actually is, and thats why they are struggling. And this is not to be confused with who are the best wrestlers, it's who makes me care and feel emotions. In my opinion Hangman is and has always been the main protagonist of AEW, but Tony hasn't gone all in on him to really established that.
I think Hangman is the most rounded character they have. Great in the ring, has a defined gimmick, is able to connect with the fans and make them care about him inside and outside of the ring, everything you would want from a main star. The hottest AEW has been has for the majority of its run has involved angles with Hangman. Whether it be his tag team and feud with Kenny, the stuff with Swerve, even the small stuff he was doing with the Dark Order, Hangman has always been the star and who I think of when i see AEW.
The first couple years Mox was great, same with Jericho, but they will always be ex WWE guys. Same with Danielson. Ospreay is a great performer but he hasn't really figured out the other stuff yet. Mercedes is a mercenary, she is there for the money, and will eventually be back in wwe one day. OC could have maybe been the guy, but I think that ship has sailed. MJF is lazy and at this point I don't think he will ever truly reach his peak form under Tony leadership, and I don't think MJF really even cares about being the guy anymore. Hangman has been the guy but Tony just can't see it.
The 2nd closest thing to a main star besides Hangman is Kenny, but 4 out of the 5 years he has been in AEW to me has been him in mediocre angles and a waste of his talents. And with his health, I am not sure if you can truly go all in, but they should try. I still think there is a chance to salvage it with Hangman, but the window is closing. Look at his promo this past week, he actually made me care about a nothing match with a washed wrestler that shouldn't even be getting TV time in Christopher Daniels. But Hangman knows how to sell tickets, and did an amazing job of that with a couple min promo.
So you’re saying Hangman is underrated? Gotcha.