AEW star Wardlow has opened up about being compared to Batista, a man he describes as “one of the biggest superstars that wrestling ever created.”
As 2021 turned into 2022, Wardlow began his rise from bodyguard to MJF, into one of the most talked about rising stars in not only AEW, but in professional wrestling as a whole.
After initially appearing as part of The Inner Circle and subsequently The Pinnacle, by March 2022, Mr Mayhem was ready to step out on his own. The ensuing story as he attempts to break away from MJF will culminate at Double or Nothing on May 29th when the pair finally meet in the ring.
As Wardlow’s star has begun to shine ever brighter, and he continues to grow as a performer, comparisons have been made to WWE legend Batista. After all, both are incredibly impressive looking men who started out as a bodyguard. Fans have also drawn parallels between the presentation of the pair, as two stars who are equally at home in expensive suits as well as dishing out punishment in the ring. Interestingly, both men also use variations of a powerbomb to dish out that punishment.
Speaking to Inside The Ropes’ very own Kenny McIntosh ahead of his date with destiny at Double or Nothing, Wardlow opened up about the comparisons. The powerhouse admitted that he blushes at being spoken of in the same breath at the former WWE star, but when is all said and done, wants his name to be held up with the likes of Batista, John Cena and The Rock.
“All right. So, obviously very flattering. I like to say, you know, being compared to people’s cool but. There’s only one Wardlow and I feel like you really can’t compare me to many. With that said, being compared to Batista is always going to make me blush just because I was a huge Batista fan and he is one of the best looking professional wrestlers to ever step in the ring, physique wise and he was one of the biggest superstars that wrestling ever created.
You know, you can count on one or two hands the the names that truly ran the company and were the top guy and were like true superstar status, like in the media, in that demographic of like what’s cool and exciting and mainstream. And now obviously going on to acting in Hollywood, not many people can do that. So to be compared to that is awesome because that’s what I want to be. I want to be one of those guys down the road that you can count on one or two hands.
I want Wardlow the name, in the mix. When you’re talking about Batista, when you’re talking about John Cena, when you talk about Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, you’re going to be talking about Wardlow as well.”
On the May 25th edition of AEW Dynamite, Wardlow will take on Shawn Spears in a Cage Match where MJF will serve as the special guest referee.
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