The Rock & John Cena’s WWE-Style Promos Are No Longer Relevant in Younger Demographics, Claims Top AEW Star: ‘AEW Has a Faster-Paced Style’

When it comes to giving memorable promos, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and even John Cena come to mind. With great mic skills, these wrestlers revolutionized the outlook and content of a promo in the 2000s. However, according to one former WWE star, now working for AEW, these are now out of style.

So, how did promos by the Great One and Cena lose their relevance? What changed? Read on to find out.

CJ Perry reveals why The Rock and John Cena promos won’t work in the current landscape

Despite making her return to the squared circle in AEW, wrestling fans majorly remember her as Lana in the WWE. Paired with Alexander Rusev (real name Miroslav Petrov Barnyashev) since October 23, 2013, the duo gained popularity in the WWE. Starting out as a heel, they soon became fan favorites.

During the time the duo were together, Lana did most of the talking. Despite portraying an anti-American, Russophile gimmick, fans loved her for her delivery skills. This is what made the duo get over with the American fans.

While on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, the host asked Perry about promos. He specifically asked her the key the difference between WWE-style and AEW-styled promos. She said, “You watch John Cena or The Rock or a lot of WWE-style promos; they are slower, especially live.” She explained that this was not the same with AEW-styled promos despite having some wrestlers who worked with Cena and The Rock.

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She went on to explain, “I personally feel that that style in WWE, is what is losing the younger demographic, and I think AEW has a faster-paced match style, a faster-paced promo style.” Many fans and critics have expressed the same points as the difference markers between the two companies. Another factor is that AEW stars get to write their own promos, unlike WWE stars, which makes it more organic. Despite her great mic work, Perry did not last long in the WWE once they released her husband.

Nevertheless, Perry has now begun to flourish in AEW after her departure from WWE.

Perry experiencing a resurgence after leaving WWE and joining AEW

As mentioned above, Lana and Rusev later became fan favorites in the WWE. Despite starting off as heels, the chemistry of the duo and the in-ring skills of Rusev made them a loveable pair. However, on June 2, 2021, WWE released Perry after losing her last match with Naomi against Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose.

Her husband Rusev was released earlier the same year due to budget cuts. However, both found a new home in AEW, with Rusev making his debut on September 9, 2020, and Perry making hers on September 3, 2023. During the podcast, Perry did mention she was given more liberty in AEW than she was in WWE.

What do you think about what Perry said? Do you agree? Tell us in the comments down below.

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