Currently in the midst of his first reign as AEW TNT Champion, Wardlow has proven a popular figure throughout his career in the Tony Khan-helmed promotion. He first appeared in November 2019 as MJF’s bodyguard and has since evolved into one of modern wrestling’s most prolific big men performers.
‘Mr Mayhem’ broke free from MJF at Double or Nothing. If was with this win that he earned an AEW contract, rather than being employed through ‘The Salt of the Earth’, and subsequently the moniker of ‘Wardaddy’ began getting thrown around.
Wardlow Embraces ‘Wardaddy’ Moniker
In a new interview with Fightful’s Joel Pearl, Wardlow explained how he’s come to embrace the nickname, reiterating how one of his goals for AEW was to help increase the female viewership:
“What more can a man ask for? Realistically, that was one of my goals, to get the female viewership. I am very welcoming to the idea of being a sex symbol, not only in wrestling, but in the entertainment business. I’ve been told I look a certain way. I am a sexual being. I’m human. I embrace it all. Call me Wardaddy all you want.”
AEW’s sales team has already jumped on the bandwagon, having a ‘Pin Me Wardaddy’ t-shirt on sale. The shirt is available from both the United States and global AEW online shops, priced at $29.99 or the equivalent in the respective country’s currency.
Wardlow elaborated further in the interview, addressing how younger wrestlers breaking into the business should treat themselves as if they’ve already made it to the big time by dressing for the part:
“I’ll say this, especially for the guys trying to break out in the business, even if you can’t afford the nicest clothes, that’s fine, but when you show up to a show, especially if you’re doing extra work, at least tuck your shirt in, try to pick out something relatively…whatever you consider to be dressy. Everyone has different levels of what they consider that to be.
Just out of respect for the business, I love when I see young kids coming to do extra work and they have, even if they don’t have a full-blown three-piece suit, at least have some slacks or some khakis and a polo or a shirt tucked in. Just try.”
Wardlow is next expected to defend the AEW TNT Championship against Powerhouse Hobbs at Full Gear on November 19. Hobbs has been targeting the former Pinnacle man for the last couple of weeks, going so far as to pose with the title.