AEW star namedrops Rey Mysterio and WWE legends to break down tribalism in wrestling

A top AEW star recently spoke about comparisons that are frequently made between his current workplace and a beloved but now-inactive wrestling company. Orange Cassidy also invoked several WWE legends who competed in the latter promotion.

Parallels have been drawn between All Elite Wrestling and ECW in discourses surrounding the Tony Khan-led promotion, considering how both companies are known for somewhat prioritizing gritty, action-packed matches and feuds over long-running entertainment-based storylines. Orange Cassidy recently addressed the subject during an interview with Sportskeeda WrestleBinge.

The former AEW International Champion discussed how ECW was instrumental in shaping pro-wrestling legends like Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, and reigning ROH World Champion Chris Jericho.

"That’s interesting. I see that. I think what ECW has better than anybody was a passionate fanbase. I think they had a dedicated, passionate fanbase. I think they love their professional wrestling, and I think they wanted to see great professional wrestling. They wanted all types of it. We talk about the hardcore stuff, but really, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit, and Chris Jericho, all of these guys came through, some of the best wrestlers to ever do it," Orange Cassidy said. [H/T Ewrestlingnews]

The 40-year-old star further shared his eagerness to reach both dedicated fans of AEW's in-ring work style and "casual" fans who may want to enjoy something lighter:

"I feel that there is an AEW fan is a true, passionate professional wrestling fan, and I love them for it, but I also want there to be room, I want them to make room for the person who just wants to pop in and have a good time. I think it’s important, especially me, I try as best as I can to get some people back into professional wrestling or into professional wrestling, those casual fans as we like to say." [H/T Ewrestlingnews]

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AEW star Orange Cassidy on veterans panning his gimmick

During the same interview, Orange Cassidy also fired back against critics who question the legitimacy of or fail to understand his notorious laidback gimmick. The 40-year-old star stated:

"Very much so... Some of those old-school wrestler types say that I am not respecting the business or respecting professional wrestling. I tend to think they have never seen me wrestle, and they don't know what they are talking about." [4:07 onwards]

Regardless of his kayfabe reputation, The King of Sloth Style notably changed up his act when he led the charge against Jon Moxley and the rest of The Death Riders on All Elite programming recently. Cassidy challenged The Purveyor of Violence for his AEW World Championship at the Full Gear 2024 Pay-Per-View but the former was defeated in a brutal matchup.