Take Him Seriously

Over the past year there has been a question in the back of the minds of some AEW fans that feels more apparent in the wake of the events on November of 2021. Since the moment the ‘Mad King’ Eddie Kingston arrived in All Elite Wrestling he has captivated pro wrestling fans. He has cut some of the best promos on some of the best in the business, went toe to toe with the new and the old and has become a crowd favorite no matter where he is. Eddie has been on such a hot streak that it is to the point where a meme recently came out comparing the new generations Eddie Kingston to the previous generations Eddie Guerrero. Whether in praise of both or to imply Kingston was the more preferred of the current era, it is a statement none the less. That being said, there is a problem lurking in the background.

The Elephant in the Room

Over an eighteen plus year career Eddie Kingston has won numerous titles but somehow has never been viewed in the eyes of major companies outside of AAW and CZW as a top guy. Even though his promos were realer, grittier and more hard hitting than almost anyone standing against him, even though there are many stars that have become who they are in part due to Eddie. Somehow the top spot has eluded him. Eddie in a great deal of ways has always been an underground king. Since the life changing promo made on Cody Rhodes, or even to use the white hot rivalry between Eddie and the newly unhinged Jon Moxley, Kingston seems to be on the verge of more. Possibly…

The Glass Ceiling

At AEW pay-per-view Full Gear, wrestling fans in the arena and watching from home experienced an important moment. For weeks it was arguable that CM Punk vs Eddie Kingston had been the most popular rivalry on AEW, and this was the culmination. CM Punk was displayed as the legend that was teaching an old bitter veteran a lesson in respect. Eddie the hot head out to destroy the old veteran that never gave him a chance and talked down to him when he first started. Essentially CM Punk was the babyface. The two had been equal on the mic as well up to that point, and CM Punk had never had a feud that felt worth continuing more before this collision.

The thing that makes this match pivotal in Kingston’s careers is the recognition of his worth. Up until this point it felt as though every big match Kingston was in he was the underdog. Until this point it was easy to get wrapped up in the momentum and popularity of whoever Eddie was facing. Until this point it was easy to assume Eddie was putting the other guy over. This was different because in a moment you can almost pinpoint, you can see the table turn. The feeling that it suddenly no longer mattered how big CM Punk was or how much he was belove. The people wanted him to lose, more so than that, the deeply passionately wanted Eddie Kingston to win. Not only did it feel this way, but it also felt possible, like it should happen, like it needed to happen.

A Bad Feeling

Unfortunately the Mad King did not find a victory that night. Not only that but the story would end that night as well. CM Punk would move on to MJF, leaving Kingston fans unsatisfied and a bit disappointed. So here begins the serious question, or questions lurking in the shadows. When is Eddie Kingston going to actually get his push? Will he ever? Or Is he just there to put everyone else over? It is terrible to think, but is slowly becoming a harsh reality. Any Kingston fan will tell you he is one of the best talkers in the business, and Kingston himself will tell you the people who have obtained their fame with great credit to him. So when will AEW take Eddie Kingston seriously as a long-term, main event top guy, and possible world champion? Could the guy that risked everything to chase his dream and steal our hearts be fading to the back in consideration while rising to every occasion in our eyes?