Eddie Kingston Would Bring That ‘Something Missing’ to AEW

Indie legend Eddie Kingston shocked the wrestling world when he answered Cody's open invitation for the TNT Championship on AEW last week. In the process, he showed AEW just what they're missing.

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I don’t want to piss off all of the AEW marks right off the bat. So, y’all don’t get me wrong – if you’re giving me the option, I’m watching AEW over WWE any day of the week. I generally like AEW, and that brand does consistently put out good good stuff, but that doesn’t mean that comes without any criticism at all. I was having this conversation with our guy John Mosley a week ago – it just seems that at this stage in the promotion’s history, they could use a little grit in the main event scene. Seeing Eddie Kingston come out and challenge Cody for that TNT Championship in a No Disqualification Match was like an epiphany.

Chill bumps.

Find anyone on the indies….anyone available for a potential contract….that can spit on the mic like Eddie Kingston. Go on – I’ll wait. That man has a knack for pouring emotion into his promos in a way that connects with people. Love him or hate him, the man can get you hyped for a match like none other on the scene today, and that, folks, is money.

But, when the bell rings – hot damn. You’re in for a war. Kingston is a street dog that is willing to do whatever he has to to win. He has the cunning, intelligence, and experience to survive against anyone. That makes him a very dangerous man – a credible threat to even your most invincible talent. Factor in the workin’ side of things, and the fact that Kingston can make just about anybody he shares a ring with look like a million bucks, and you have the total package for a big time AEW run.

What a commendable job with that match, too. The promo was gold. You take your TNT Champion out of his element, and add a layer to his character by having him win this dirty scrap. You get all the emotion of the aftermath – Cody showing a different side and retaining that title, Kingston getting the chance to showcase his talents, and it was a great, heartfelt, and memorable moment. That’s not a routine thing in a wrestling world that is saturated with content these days.

In fact, Kingston had me doing something I haven’t done in years. Mose and I were sitting down to record Checks and Championships when he just happened to check his phone and see people tweeting about Kingston. We literally dropped what we were doing to run into the living room and watch the match. Grindheads like us dropping our work to do just about anything feels like a miracle – but, that’s just an indicator of how this man can potentially move the needle.

AEW just doesn’t have a guy like this.

And, don’t get me wrong – I totally understand the business mentality of making guys like Cody, Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Mr. Brodie Lee superstars. AEW knows they already have the attention of the indie fans. They don’t have to sell their roster on guys like me. But, in order to grow and appeal to a larger wrestling fan base, they need to use some of those likenesses to draw in some of that casual WWE fan base. From a content standpoint, you need people that are established like that in order to create new stars (MJF and Orange Cassidy come to mind).

But, with a guy like Kingston in there, you have this gritty veteran presence that is simultaneously established -and- refreshing. He’s a credible main eventer, and at the same time, he’s a fresh face. That would give AEW a new chess piece to play with, and could potentially afford them the opportunity to get away from WWE retreads fighting for the AEW Championship.

You’re tellin’ me Moxley vs. Kingston wouldn’t sell? You’re tellin’ me Kingston couldn’t be a pivotal resource in getting a guy like Cassidy over even further and adding a new dynamic to his character? You’re tellin’ me you couldn’t use Kingston as a figurehead for a stable or tag team if you needed him to? You’re tellin’ me that man would be an infinitely valuable asset in your locker room? This guy is as good as they come, as versatile as they come, and how he’s not signed to a contract is beyond me.

AEW, you’re looking at money….what are you waiting for?

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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