Sammy Guevara responds to AEW Four Pillars criticism by expressing pride in the label, while stating that outside opinions no longer affect him. Speaking amid ongoing debates over AEW’s foundational stars, Guevara shared his perspective on fan commentary and his place among the promotion’s recognized “pillars.”
Guevara’s Perspective on the Four Pillars Debate
Sammy Guevara, alongside MJF, Darby Allin, and Jack Perry, was named as one of AEW’s “Four Pillars.” This moniker pays tribute to the famed Four Pillars of Heaven from All-Japan Pro Wrestling, identifying the four young wrestlers as crucial to AEW’s early growth. AEW’s fanbase and personalities—such as CM Punk—have intensely debated the makeup of this group, with some even suggesting Britt Baker should be a “fifth pillar” or a replacement for MJF.
“It’s almost like the Mount Rushmore [debate]. People have their own opinions of who we’d want to be. I didn’t come up with this thing. I just feel like the four guys that were mentioned for it were the original four young guys, especially during the pandemic, we really busted our ass in front of nobody. [We were] just trying to help this place grow. And I understand there’s new faces now and all these new things. And that’s okay if people feel like, ‘Hey, these are our pillars now. Whatever.’ It’s like that’s cool. It doesn’t take away from what us four have done in the past.”
—Sammy Guevara
The ongoing discussion has sparked both healthy debate and tribal arguments among wrestling fans, but Guevara emphasizes the honor of being included among the Four Pillars and insists that the addition or replacement of names does not diminish what the original group accomplished, particularly during crucial early pandemic shows held without live audiences.
Personal Growth and Letting Go of Criticism
In the past, Guevara admits that online chatter and criticism impacted him deeply; however, he now takes a different approach, focusing instead on internal validation. He attributes this shift partly to experiencing fatherhood, which gave him a new perspective on what really matters in life.
“It used to bother me a lot, what people would say. Because I felt like I was always looking for outside validation. Ultimately, I just needed to find validation with myself. I feel like I found that. And a lot of people’s comments, it’s water off the back, it doesn’t stick. I felt like maybe becoming a dad helped with that. ‘Yeah, so and so is saying this.’ Or, ‘This person said this.’ It’s like, ‘Man, who cares?’ I have a daughter I can go and hang out with. And we can go to the park and have fun. [That’s] kept me focused on what’s really important in life.”
—Sammy Guevara
With a new focus on his personal life and his daughter, Guevara finds that external opinions—including those related to his wrestling role or storylines—carry far less emotional weight. He is committed to living in the moment, maintaining control over his own actions rather than stressing over factors and criticisms that are beyond his grasp, such as storyline decisions in AEW or changing attitudes among fans.
Accepting His Place and Looking Ahead
At one time, Guevara felt the need for widespread approval to belong in AEW, but now he is confident in his role within the company. He has come to terms with the constant discussions about the Four Pillars and the ever-evolving nature of wrestling, recognizing that his achievements stand regardless of public debate.
“In the beginning, I felt like I needed everybody to feel like I belonged, because I didn’t feel like I belonged. But today,”
—Sammy Guevara
“I know where I belong. And as long as I know that, that’s what’s important.”
—Sammy Guevara
For Sammy Guevara, the journey from seeking external affirmation to finding purpose within himself has allowed him to navigate wrestling fandom’s turbulence with clarity. As discussion about AEW’s foundation and its future stars continues, Guevara’s focus remains on meaningful growth both in and out of the ring, an outlook shaped by family and experience.
