In an interview with Wrestling Inc managing editor, Nick Hausman, and for The Wrestling Inc. Daily podcast, Lance Archer discussed a plethora of things, but specifically two men that are said to be coming to AEW very soon.
Speaking about Daniel Bryan, Archer said:
“…It’s just cool for the wrestling fans when they turn on the TV, whether it’s New Japan Pro Wrestling, whether it’s AEW, Impact Wrestling, whatever company they’re choosing to watch right now, and you just never know and I think that’s the fun part. If he wants to show up, he can show up. I’ll put him on his ass too…I think he’s one of the best in the world…He’s always proven himself time and time again wherever he’s gone. He started in the Texas wrestling scene, kind of pretty much like I did. He went to the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy way back in the day, pretty much around the same time that I got in the wrestling business…”
via Wrestling Inc
Still on the subject of Bryan, he stated:
“…He was making his mark back then as the American Dragon, and then he went on to do what he’s done in the business so far. I think he obviously has goals in the wrestling business, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, AEW and a lot of places have great platforms, so you just never know. He’s an amazing talent. Wherever he goes, it’s gonna be a good show, but if he shows up and tries to fight me, sorry, bad luck, brother, if he (CM Punk) shows up, he shows up, and I’ll kick his ass too…”
via Wrestling Inc
Speaking on the fact that he doesn’t really get insider information; he hears the same news the fans hear, and as it happens, apparently.
“…I hear the same rumors you hear. I’m only talent, so I just kind of step in the ring, and if he wants to show up, I’ll gladly kick his butt too…That’s kind of how I view any of the rumors. That just makes it fun for any pro wrestling fan because you hear those rumors, and you just never know who’s gonna show up where, when and how…”
via Wrestling Inc
AEW is definitely on the rise, and for a company that only started in 2019, their list of accolades is already impressive. They defeated WWE in doing better in the ratings on Wednesday nights—the whole Wednesday Night Wars between NXT and AEW—forcing WWE execs to move NXT to Tuesday nights, and reportedly, even on their new night, they are still suffering and are now undergoing a massive change moving forward because of this.
Can that be attributed to the growing success of AEW?
I sure think so.
WWE enjoyed a monopoly and for so long, but with a new high-end company with a lot of money to throw around, there’s a new place for both the fans and talent to go if they’re not happy. Which is exactly what seems to be happening, especially considering all of the recent signings and rumored signings.
With WWE making incredible amounts of talent releases, who knows who else is on their way over to AEW.
Speaking on the ratings and the ever-growing popularity of AEW, Archer said:
“People are tuning in, more people are watching…and the fact that we sold that many tickets that fast in Chicago, I’m not surprised at all. I think it’s just showing you how well AEW is doing, and I think we’re just going to continue to grow and get bigger and better…”
via Wrestling Inc
Also…people want CM Punk; especially his hometown Chicago fans. Really, this has been a long time coming and Archer, the fans, and even WWE knows it, no matter what they’re trying to convince us all of—essentially that they aren’t afraid of the competition.
AEW just signed the guy (Punk) that they allowed to be at the forefront of the company for the briefest of moments, and then when he got injured, they pulled the plug.
Really, this can be equated to when Hogan rode in on that parade when he signed with WCW in 1994. Is Punk riding in on that same parade, only on a different spot on the time/space continuum of professional wrestling?
Judging by the ticket sales and all the hype, I would say, “Heck Yeah,” to borrow a phrase from Steve Austin and make it a little more PG for the sake of this piece.
For much more of what Archer spoke about, check out the full interview here.
