Konnan highlights AEW's mistake making ex-WWE star lose intimidation factor

Modified Apr 15, 2025 01:01 GMT

Konnan believes a former WWE name may have lost some his early shine in AEW [Image Credits: AEW's website, WWE's website]

Wrestling veteran Konnan has expressed the view that a former WWE Superstar has lost his allure and early credibility over time in AEW. The talent in question, Claudio Castagnoli, is currently enforcing Jon Moxley's will as a member of the dominant Death Riders.

The Swiss Cyborg teamed up with his longtime BCC protege Wheeler Yuta last week on AEW Dynamite to take on Samoa Joe and HOOK. The match ended in a loss for the Trios Champions as Yuta succumbed to The Cold Hearted Handsome Devil's submission hold. Claudio and Wheeler laid a vicious beatdown on HOOK after the bout, however, before retreating from the arena with Mox.

On April 2, Castagnoli faced Adam Copeland in singles action on Dynamite ahead of Rated FTR's AEW World Trios Title match against The Death Riders at Dynasty 2025. The Rated-R Superstar picked up the win over The Swiss Superman courtesy of a hidden low blow.

While reviewing the show on his Keepin' It 100 podcast, Konnan stated that despite his personal fondness for Claudio Castagnoli, he has not found the former ROH World Champion's recent work in the Tony Khan-led company interesting, supposedly in contrast to his early booking and presentation.

“I love Claudio as a person, but I’m not interested in him or anything they’ve done with him, which is unfortunate,” Konnan said. “Remember when they first came in, they brought him in like this monster? Look at him now.” [H/T - 411Mania]

Castagnoli was unable to prevent HOOK from tapping out Yuta during last week's main event tag bout as he was tied up by Samoa Joe. However, the heel duo took out the former FTW Champion afterward, with Claudio delivering a devastating Neutralizer on HOOK onto a steel chair.

Claudio Castagnoli set for action this week on AEW Dynamite

Samoa Joe did not take kindly to The Death Riders' post-match ambush on him and HOOK last Wednesday on Dynamite, calling out the group for an AEW World Trios Titles match this week. Despite PAC's unfortunate injury, Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley accepted the challenge later on Collision, confirming that they, alongside Wheeler Yuta, would defend their belts against The Opps on Dynamite: Spring BreakThru.

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It remains to be seen whether The Death Riders will walk out victorious this week once again.

About the author

Anurag is an AEW writer for Sportskeeda Wrestling. He holds a BA and MA degree in English along with a TEFL certification to teach English. Before Sportskeeda, he worked as a Content and Correspondence writer at Nayabad Titas, a theater group. He has also worked as a English language tutor.

To ensure complete accuracy, he uses internet resources, social media platforms, and especially pieces composed by his peers to find solid, verified information that he presents as objectively as possible. Thanks to his academic background, he can research different subjects thoroughly.

Anurag's interest in wrestling began as a child. He watched RAW and Smackdown frequently from age 10 or 11 and was officially hooked by the YES Movement story in WWE heading into WrestleMania 30.

As a lifelong wrestling fan and lover of stories, Anurag would read news, articles, and other content about the talent and events he enjoyed watching. His understanding of the business continued to grow with time, and his interest in the art and sport of wrestling led him to pursue a career as a writer.

Apart from writing, he loves to read books, watch movies and television programs, play and listen to music, and write poetry and fiction.

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Edited by Anurag Mukherjee