AEW wrestler Christian Cage has become a standout villain in the wrestling world, largely due to his provocative use of a “dead father” line during his promos. This phrase quickly gained notoriety, sparking widespread reactions among fans and peers alike. Cage recently shared details about how this unforgettable moment came to be and why he chose to elevate it in his performances.
How the Promo Took Shape and Escalated
In an interview with Raj Prashad from Yahoo’s Uncrowned, Cage revealed that the intense response to the line motivated him to build on it further.
“When I got the reaction, it just made me want to push it further and further, and that’s what I did,”
he explained. He added,
“I said one phrase and people went crazy with it. So I just kept pushing it and pushing it. The thing is, too, you can’t have any reservations about things like this. You have to believe in yourself and you have to be willing to go to certain places to garner reactions. I was going to places that at the time nobody else was going to.”
The Impact Across the Wrestling Industry
Cage highlighted that wrestling often involves borrowing ideas, and once other performers in different organizations began mimicking his style, it confirmed that his approach was effective.
“When you see the influence of other people, [who] start doing and saying things in the same way that you are, then you know what you’re doing is working, especially when it runs across multiple companies and other people,”
he remarked. This ripple effect demonstrated how far-reaching his promo’s impact had become within the wrestling community.
Personal Responsibility Behind the Words
Cage also stressed the significance of owning one’s material, pointing out that his promos represent his own vision and voice.
“When you go up there and have the ability to say 100% your words and your vision, it’s up to you to connect with the audience. If you don’t, then it falls on your shoulders. There’s nobody else to blame,”
he stated, underscoring the weight of accountability that comes with such bold performances.
The Emotional Weight and Viral Success
The line was deeply meaningful to Cage, and although he anticipated a strong response, he did not foresee how viral it would become.
“It was a deeply personal line, and I was expecting a reaction. I don’t know if I expected it to go as viral as it did. And when something like that happens you have to jump on it,”
he explained. The viral nature of this promo continues to fuel conversations about Cage’s role as one of AEW’s most despised antagonists.
Continuing to Stir Emotions in AEW
Christian Cage’s use of the dead father promo has solidified his position as a compelling heel in AEW, provoking emotional responses and keeping fans engaged. His willingness to explore uncharted emotional territory has not only set him apart from others but also ensured that his promos remain some of the most talked-about moments in contemporary wrestling.
