In a recent discussion on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Nic Nemeth shared his thoughts on AEW’s treatment of The Hurt Syndicate. He pointed out that the group is in quite a hazy area in their current plot with Swerve Strickland.
According to Nemeth, it’s crucial for AEW to clarify whether The Hurt Syndicate will continue as villains or transition into the role of heroes, otherwise known as babyface status.
Nemeth articulated, “Even with Swerve, there’s a gray area where he’s not the ‘Yay, I’m a good guy babyface,’ but at some stage, you either have to make a decision, or you have to guide your audience to decide for themselves. Everyone seemingly wishes for them to be friends and to be a dominating group. Perhaps that’s something we’ll see in the future.”
He further commented, “You don’t have to be too overbearing with a spoonfeeding mindset of ‘We’re the bad guys. We’re the good guys,’ but a slight nudge is required.”
Meanwhile, in a discussion with Mike Karolyi, AEW’s Darby Allin reflected on the tenure of ex-AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson, whose reign was ended by Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream 2024.
Below are some key points from the talk:
Allin on Danielson’s significance to AEW: “Bryan’s consistent presence was a huge boost for AEW. He was reliable, could deliver an incredible match at the drop of a hat, and was invariably ready to do anything for the company.”
Allin on Danielson’s lack of ego: “He had zero arrogance, much like Sting. He was always mindful of the broader objectives. His positive energy was always infectious. His absence every week surely leaves a void, but it also provides an opportunity for others on the roster to step up and shine.”