Brody King is steadily gaining prominence in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) following his recent AEW Tag Team Championship run, positioning himself as one of the promotion’s promising new talents. Since losing the title, King has remained actively featured, appearing consistently on AEW programming, which underlines AEW President Tony Khan’s confidence in his potential. This ongoing exposure, including a recent short video segment showcasing his charisma and a decisive squash victory on AEW Collision, marks King’s upward trajectory as a genuine AEW rising star.
MJF’s Evolution as AEW World Champion
Meanwhile, AEW World Champion MJF is displaying notable maturation both in character and presentation. Although some fans have expressed surprise at his recent change in hairstyle, the shift is more cosmetic than substantive, reflecting a wrestler experimenting with his look as many do over time. On the microphone, MJF’s promos have taken a more reserved, strategic tone compared to his traditionally over-the-top style, delivering sharp and memorable lines without relying on excessive provocation.
In his latest appearance, MJF took only about five minutes on screen but managed to dominate the segment through clever wordplay and character development. His interaction with Bandido skillfully elevated both himself and his opponent without resorting to demeaning remarks. A standout line that drew genuine laughter was,
“Hey, I’ll pull Tony Khan aside and I’ll put you over kid… I’ll tell him I will wrestle you live on PPV… in say 5 or 10 years from now. That’s a good deal!”
– MJF’s humor here worked perfectly without disrespecting either the crowd or Bandido.
Other notable quotes from MJF include:
- “You’re one heck of a talented little luchador.”
- “No offense, with all due respect, I’m bigger star in Mexico than you will ever be.”
These moments demonstrate MJF’s ability to keep the audience engaged and invested in his character, encouraging viewers to anticipate his future matches, which is vital for maintaining interest as champion.
A Closer Look at Brody King’s Continuous Presence
Brody King’s ongoing involvement with AEW content indicates that he is more than just a former tag team champion who disappeared from the spotlight. With Tony Khan’s ongoing support, King is positioned to develop further, benefiting from weekly exposure. His video segment, though brief, efficiently highlighted his persona and physical presence, while his recent squash victory solidified his standing as a formidable competitor.
There is speculation about whether King might return to a heel role in the coming years. Given his outspoken political views, such as his vocal stance on “Abolish ICE,” that transition could present interesting narrative possibilities within AEW’s storytelling framework.
Challenges Facing Sammy Guevara Despite Recent Match Return
In contrast to King’s rising momentum, Sammy Guevara has been identified as a fading figure in AEW’s current landscape. Though he recently made his first AEW Dynamite appearance of 2024, his trajectory has been less encouraging. Guevara participated in the inaugural AEW Dynamite match in 2019, losing to Cody Rhodes, and subsequently experienced a surge in popularity after joining Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle faction. Unfortunately, an incident in 2023 where Guevara broke Jeff Hardy’s nose during a Rampage match led to a suspension for violating concussion protocols, significantly limiting his television presence since then.
This hiatus has stalled what once appeared to be a promising career path. Despite his potential to be a future star likened to Eddie Guerrero — a comparison made by veteran commentator Jim Ross — Guevara has struggled to evolve his in-ring style to align with his current character, creating a disconnect. His wrestling remains technically impressive and babyface in style, while his demeanor and promos suggest a heel persona, diluting the impact of his performances.
To revive his career momentum, Guevara may need to rethink his approach by incorporating more character-driven elements into his matches, such as teasing major moves and displaying added arrogance typical of effective heels. Implementing such changes could help position him better with AEW’s passionate audience, who appreciate compelling character work.
Reevaluating AEW’s Announcing Team in the Current Era
Alongside the talents in the ring, AEW’s commentary team has drawn mixed reactions, especially when comparing the performances of its lead announcers. The return of Jim Ross, widely recognized as a pro wrestling legend and “Voice of Pro Wrestling,” was welcomed warmly. However, his knowledge of AEW’s extensive and evolving roster has limits, which is understandable given the demanding schedule and his tenure.
Excalibur, serving as AEW’s primary play-by-play announcer, has faced criticism for lacking consistency and professionalism during serious moments, switching abruptly between somber tones and overly enthusiastic pitches. This inconsistency hinders the viewer’s immersion and suggests a need for fresh talent in the lead announcing role. Proposals include assigning someone like Renee Paquette or exploring new commentators to gradually take over hosting duties for shows like Collision.
Tony Schiavone’s performance has also declined compared to his previous return, now often exaggerating excitement for standard moves and matches. Observers suggest that Schiavone could thrive more as an in-ring interviewer and company representative rather than a top play-by-play commentator.
Nigel McGuinness offers a competent presence but tends to alternate between two distinct announcing modes, which some find distracting. Critics advocate for a more authentic and consistent style from him in the booth, although there appears to be little current direction guiding the announcing team’s presentation.
Many voice a longing for the return of Taz, whose realism and enjoyment of AEW’s product provide balance and entertainment in commentary. His unique blend of humor and insight contrasts with much of AEW’s comedy and could enrich the broadcast experience when he returns.
Overall, there is a widespread call for AEW to recruit a dedicated professional announcer new to the national wrestling scene, someone passionate about the sport and capable of enhancing the broadcast product—similar to New Japan’s Walker Stewart.
Implications for AEW’s Future and Brody King’s Role
Brody King’s steady rise within AEW, marked by regular on-screen appearances and recent victories, signals a promising future for the wrestler and the promotion’s investment in cultivating fresh talent. His presence helps diversify AEW’s roster and offers fans a compelling competitor who blends physicality with charisma. Given Tony Khan’s evident support, King could become a cornerstone of AEW’s mid-to-upper card divisions.
The contrast between King’s ascent and Sammy Guevara’s struggles underscores the importance of adaptability and character evolution in modern professional wrestling. Success in AEW now demands not only in-ring skill but also a strong alignment between persona and performance, a lesson Guevara and others appear poised to learn as they seek to regain momentum.
Meanwhile, AEW’s commentary team faces a critical juncture with respect to professionalism and consistency, affecting the viewer’s overall experience. Investing in fresh voices and refining the announcing style are necessary steps to maintain AEW’s reputation as the second-largest wrestling promotion in the United States.
As AEW continues to expand and evolve its programming, Brody King’s emergence as a rising star offers fans and the company a glimpse of the promotion’s future landscape, one that aspires to blend seasoned performers with rapidly developing talent. Watching King’s career unfold will be an important storyline for AEW through 2024 and beyond.
