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Starr: Who Are AEW’s Actual “Four Pillars?” | The Chairshot
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Starr: Who Are AEW’s Actual “Four Pillars?”

The self-proclaimed AEW Four Pillars discussion has made its rounds amongst the wrestling media. However, are they AEW’s real Four Pillars?

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The self-proclaimed AEW Four Pillars discussion has made its rounds amongst the wrestling media. However, are they AEW’s real Four Pillars?

Multiple sources have weighed in on MJF’s “four pillar” promo from the 9/29/21 edition of AEW Dynamite.  During they early stages of his promo, MJF labeled the following four individuals as the standard-bearers and foundations of All Elite Wrestling: Jungle Boy, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, and MJF, himself.  As stated in his promo, these four have carried the torch of AEW’s company since its early inception and have continued to carry that torch as the company has grown in popularity and has gained more recognition to the public.

What makes this story rather intriguing is the manner in which Tony Khan responded to MJF’s promo on a recent podcast episode with Brandon Walker on Barstool Sports.  From MJF’s point of view, the general label of AEW’s Four Pillar athletes seems to reflect that of All Japan Pro Wrestling’s critically-acclaimed Four Pillars of Heaven that set the standard for the best overall in-ring wrestling product throughout the 1990s.  Those four wrestlers consist of: Akira Taue, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, and Mitsuharu Misawa.  This original discussion of the “four pillars” idea revolves around the consensus that these four men were the best “in-ring workers” throughout All Japan in the 90s, having garnered more five-star ratings according to the Dave Meltzer Star Rating System than any group of wrestlers in history.  And while a subjective star rating scale seems murky when trying to define what constitutes as a company’s “top megastars,” there are a couple of key issues that come into play when comparing All Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Four Pillars” with All Elite Wrestling’s “Four Pillars.”

The first issue comes from the fact Tony Khan neither accepted, nor refuted, MJF’s statement of AEW’s Four Pillars.  Rather, he seemed to treat it as a subjective idealism with the recognition that MJF merely comprised an opinionated list as to whom he perceives as AEW’s four future guys.  However, Tony acknowledges, “There’s more than four pillars… we talked about Orange Cassidy, Dr. Britt Baker– we can talk about until we’re blue in the face.  Ricky Starks and Hangman Page.”  As the President of a major wrestling organization, acknowledging your top talent should be a crucial element of driving home the idea as to why people should pay money to see your product.  While Tony Khan recognizes Jungle Boy, Guevara, Allin, and MJF as the “building blocks of the company,” that does not necessarily translate to the vision of them collectively representing the future of the company.

The second issue with MJF’s definition of AEW’s Four Pillars is that it generally reflects the preconceived notion that Jungle Boy, Guevara, Allin, and MJF are all on an equal playing field of main event star caliber.  And while there certainly will be room for growth as these four men mature and develop as talents, the only thing that these four men have in common at the moment is a relative ring skill.  Excluding MJF from the picture as the one standout that seems to exemplify all the tools when it comes to being a major superstar in the industry, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin, and Sammy Guevara lack a lot of the “five-tool elements” that are commonly expected of top of the card, main event performers.  Discounting “ring ability,” their promo skills are mediocre at best.  Their levels of charisma vary according to their characters, but they do not currently emanate anything closely resembling a young Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock (whereas, a guy like Ricky Starks does).  Their “looks/physiques” are generally good, but detract by their lack of height and body mass.  And most importantly, with the exception of Guevara, there has not been much exploration with their versatility as characters.  Can all four men effectively flip between roles of babyface/heel?  Are they able to diversify their personalities?  Are they able to diversify their ring style to accommodate those character roles?  Even with a guy like Sammy Guevara (who has played both sides of the aisle since his debut with the company), he has not truly shown a variation in his ring style appropriate to his work as a heel and babyface.

A final issue with this assertion of AEW’s current Four Pillars is that, on a pointblank analysis of these four men on paper, how do these men all standout and differ from one another?  A successful wrestling company should be able to culminate and craft a roster of broad skills, looks, and ability in order to garner attention from casual, mainstream markets.  AEW has a large talent pool of young athletes, many of whom come in different shapes, sizes, and skills; a brief overview of this alleged Four Pillar system for AEW lacks two of these three key marketing tactics.  Again, excluding MJF from the picture– who by the way, is not a relatively “big guy” by his own right, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin, and Sammy Guevara are all very small and frail, weigh well under 200 lbs., and wrestle very similar styles.  And while it may seem unfair to judge these men’s physiques by today’s wrestling standards, when AEW has younger men under contract that exude charisma and potential like Powerhouse Hobbs, Ethan Page, Wardlow, and even “Hangman” Adam Page, why would these men not be included as part of AEW’s Four Pillars?  Why would they not diversify their alleged Four Pillar system by including someone that exudes main event level charisma, someone that works a different style, and someone that brings something different to the table?  This is not to offend Jungle Boy, Allin, Guevara, or MJF, but if the only precedent that is being set for AEW’s future generation consists of similar looking wrestlers that wrestle similar looking styles and lack many of the other tools of what it takes to be a “top guy” in the business, there is a major dilemma at hand.

Of course, the benefit for individuals like Jungle Boy, Guevara, and Allin is that they are young and can take the time to work and master the elements they are missing in that key tool system.  That said, there also has to be a recognition that, perhaps, there are other guys that may be better suited to fill those roles.  The self-proclaimed AEW Four Pillars, as per MJF, may hold water in the eyes of the modern wrestling audience, but it may be putting the cart before the horse to acknowledge all of these men as the “be all/end all” of AEW’s future generation.

Sources:

The Fabulous Rougeau’s . (2012, July 11). 5 tool wrestler. WrestleZone Forums. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://forums.wrestlezone.com/threads/5-tool-wrestler.221501/.

Mutter, E. (2021, October 15). Tony Khan responds to MJF listing the “four pillars” in AEW. Wrestling Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/10/tony-khan-says-there-are-more-than-just-four-pillars-in-aew/.

Podgorski, A. (2017, July 26). All Japan’s four pillars of heaven set the standard. Slam Wrestling. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2017/07/26/all-japans-four-pillars-of-heaven-set-the-standard/.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

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Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

  • AJ – Roxanne Perez
  • Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
  • Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
  • DJ – Naomi
  • DPP – Roxanne Perez
  • Jason – Alexa Bliss
  • Patrick – Roxanne Perez
  • Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
  • Rob – Naomi
  • Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

  • AJ – LA Knight
  • Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
  • Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
  • DJ – LA Knight
  • DPP – El Grande Americano
  • Jason – LA Knight
  • Patrick – Solo Sikoa
  • Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
  • Rob – Solo Sikoa
  • Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

 

  • AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
  • Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
  • Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
  • DJ – Lyra Valkyria
  • DPP – Becky Lynch
  • Jason – Becky Lynch
  • Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
  • Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
  • Rob – Becky Lynch
  • Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

  • AJ – Cena & Paul
  • Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
  • Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
  • DJ – Rhodes & Uso
  • DPP – Rhodes & Uso
  • Jason – Cena & Paul
  • Patrick – Cena & Paul
  • Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
  • Rob – Cena & Paul
  • Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

  • AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
  • Andrew – @IWCWarChief
  • Dave – @AttitudeAgg
  • DJ – @TheMindlessPod
  • DPP – @itsmeDPP
  • Jason – @JediFett
  • Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
  • Rey – @itsreycash
  • Rob – @rbonne1
  • Greg – @gregdemarco44
  • PC – @PCTunney
  • TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 


Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes  |  iHeart Radio  |  Google Play  |  Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

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May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

  • AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
  • Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
  • Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
  • DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
  • DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
  • Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
  • Patrick – Gunther
  • Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
  • Rob – Gunther
  • Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

  • AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
  • Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
  • Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
  • DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
  • DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
  • Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
  • Patrick – Becky Lynch
  • Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
  • Rob – Lyra Valkyria
  • Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

 

  • AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
  • Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
  • Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
  • DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
  • DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
  • Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
  • Patrick – Jacob Fatu
  • Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
  • Rob – Jacob Fatu
  • Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0 

 

  • AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
  • Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
  • Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
  • DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
  • DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
  • Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
  • Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
  • Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
  • Rob – Dominic Mysterio
  • Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

 

  • AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
  • Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
  • Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
  • DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
  • DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
  • Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
  • Patrick – John Cena
  • Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
  • Rob – John Cena
  • Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

  • AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
  • Andrew – @IWCWarChief
  • Dave – @AttitudeAgg
  • DJ – @TheMindlessPod
  • DPP – @itsmeDPP
  • Jason – @JediFett
  • Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
  • Rey – @itsreycash
  • Rob – @rbonne1
  • Greg – @gregdemarco44
  • PC – @PCTunney
  • TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 


Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes  |  iHeart Radio  |  Google Play  |  Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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