Throughout pro wrestling history, there have been numerous instances of a lack of representation or problematic representation for Black wrestlers. But since the emergence of AEW (All Elite Wrestling) in 2019, there was a shift for Black wrestlers that might have never been signed with WWE or were underutilized during their time with the company. This shift is why AEW has the best Black representation in pro wrestling.
Instead of Black wrestlers being stuck aspiring towards a juggernaut of a company steeped in controversy, AEW has given people a place to be themselves and pursue the world’s second-largest wrestling company.
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AEW has always had the odds stacked against them because of fandom bias, toxic fandom, WWE’s influence on wrestling media, and so on. Going up against a wrestling company that has been around for 72 years was always going to be met with ire. If you go into the comments section of most AEW wrestlers or the official AEW social media accounts, you’ll see countless examples of anti-AEW people regurgitating disdain for just about anything.
Still, it’s standing tall after six years and continues to make an impact on the pro wrestling landscape. Rather than AEW’s Black wrestlers being restricted and limited to potentially harmful gimmicks; they’re allowed to mold their personas as they see fit.
A primary example of a former WWE wrestler turning into the star he’s always been by joining AEW is Swerve Strickland. Strickland’s time in WWE lasted from April 17, 2019 to November 18, 2021 and he was a singles wrestler who later became part of the stable Hit Row in NXT. He briefly held the NXT North American Championship and later lost his belt to Carmelo Hayes.
After being released from WWE in 2021 and not being given a major push, beyond a less than memorable 105-day championship reign and a brief stint on SmackDown, Strickland made his way to NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) and then was confirmed as a new signing with AEW in March 2022. Strickland has been vocal about his time with WWE and about comments that were made by WWE individuals regarding his status as one of the highest paid wrestlers.
He skyrocketed into success from there, became one of the most dominant presences in the company, has been part of one of the best feuds in the company’s history, and later made history as AEW’s first Black World Champion at the PPV Dynasty 2024. Seeing Black wrestlers hold World Championship titles isn’t as common as people might think. In pro wrestling, the physicality is real, and injuries, as well as bloody moments, can and do occur. Who wins and loses is pre-determined, and that’s where critiquing of booking decisions for wrestlers comes into play.
When comparing WWE’s history regarding racist gimmicks, discussions can be had more than just Black wrestlers. Examples are the late Eddie Guerrero‘s Latino Heat gimmick, involving “lie, cheat, and steal,” or the late Iron Sheik, who was subject to a lot of vile responses as an Iranian-American whose gimmick was being a terrorist. The history of non-white heels in the WWE is very startling and has certainly not aged well. But for young wrestling fans to see how AEW handles things, even in how Black heels are handled, is quite essential as a result.
AEW is home to numerous Black champions.
AEW has put championship belts on more than a few Black wrestlers. Current individual champions and tag teams are Mercedes Monè (who holds four belts altogether across multiple promotions), Athena (who holds Ring of Honor, AEW’s sister promotion, Women’s World Championship), The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP) who defeated Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) for their tag team championship belts in January on Dynamite.
AEW’s representation of openly LGBTQ+ Black wrestlers is also something to note. Across media, we’ve made great strides as a community, but LGBTQ+ Black representation is still quite limited in entertainment. Understanding intersectionality is key to recognizing the impact of seeing Black queer people in the limelight.
In terms of pro wrestling, there are more than a few Black LGBTQ+ wrestlers who are out. Primary examples are Anthony Bowens and Nyla Rose. In 2020, Bowens was signed with his former tag team partner (Max Caster), is one of the few openly gay Black wrestlers in the industry, and is a former tag team champion when he was part of The Acclaimed. In 2019, the company became the first major American wrestling company to sign an out transgender wrestler when they signed Nyla Rose. In 2020, Rose became the AEW Women’s World Champion.
For a company that hasn’t even been around for a decade, the company continues to change the pro wrestling industry. It’s a tremendous feat because of WWE’s monopoly. There’s also a sense of relief to see Black wrestlers in the company be so individualistic and not recognized as a monolith.
From gimmicks that lean more towards a blend of mostly silly and occasionally serious like Private Party, effortlessly cool with a tremendous aura like Swerve, a game changer like Mercedes, a crowd favorite like Bowens, a formidable tag team like The Hurt Syndicate, a long-reigning champion like Athena, a high flyer like Ricochet, and the list goes on.
AEW allows its Black wrestlers the chance to be dynamic characters, not just gimmicks.
There’s no shortage of folks to cheer for, boo, or see the potential in. As someone who has been a wrestling fan since I was a kid, it’s a personal delight to see a wide range of Black representation in a wrestling company. Instead of having so little to cling to or feel represented by, there’s more than enough representation for me and other AEW fans.
Despite the minor changes that WWE is making, such as New Day’s heel turn or Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi’s current alliance, it’s not enough for me to be invested in the company. This is one of the numerous reasons I pulled back on watching WWE so many years ago and rarely check in, even for curiosity’s sake.
Eventually, there comes a point in which the bare minimum, no matter how positive it might be viewed by others, isn’t enough for some folks. I can’t speak for everyone, but for myself and other Black wrestling fans who feel the same, AEW being an option has been incredible for years. Getting into the promotion quite several years ago revitalized my love for pro wrestling, and I’m grateful for that.
As time goes on and this company continues to flourish and thrive, we’ll see the younger generation of Black wrestlers step up and make their mark. Especially as they’re guided by those who came before and helped pave a way for them to do so. Younger Black wrestlers to look out for include but aren’t limited to biological brothers tag team Top Flight (Darius Martin and Daunte Martin), Action Andretti, Queen Aminata, Kiera Hogan,etc.
AEW holds the unofficial title of having the best Black representation across pro wrestling. As well as the best wrestling roster ever compiled. If you’re getting into wrestling for the first time and looking to see a wide range of Black wrestlers, then you’ll absolutely find it if you start watching AEW. You might discover some of your favorite heels, faces, or tweeners and find the representation you’ve been craving.
You can stream AEW Dynamite, AEW Collision, pay-per views, and the defunct AEW Rampage on Max, TBS TNT, and more.
