Brandon Cutler entered AEW with the reputation of just being known as ‘friend of The Elite’ as a paint-by-numbers babyface. After two years, he is still ‘friend of the Elite’, but now a heel, and it’s in a role that is working wonders for Cutler and AEW as a whole. He is now a weekly figure on TV and is cementing himself as a hidden gem on Dynamite.Updated on November 8th, 2021, by Andrew Kelly: Brandon Cutler has continued as a mainstay on AEW Dynamite, perfecting his role as stooge and punching bag. In the last few months, with the popular YouTube series, Being The Elite, consistently on the rise, Cutler has shown his talents outside of the weekly television product. During the pandemic, Cutler was afforded the chance to film some of the action from where he was standing, giving an alternate, unique angle to showcase the action. Now that fans have returned, this handheld footage gives a special glimpse at how the talent much feel when surrounded by an electric crowd.People love ‘behind the scenes’ content, and BTE has given glimpses into the special moments just seconds before the likes of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole made their AEW debuts – and credit must be given to Cutler for providing these special moments with more context and content. His work as a punching bag has provided opportunities for the likes of younger up and comers such as Jungle Boy to get heat on The Elite, without damaging the more prominent members of the group.
Brandon Cutler Didn't Get Much Attention Early In AEW Dynamite
Cutler began his AEW career working in the lower card, acting as enhancement talent to put over bigger names such as MJF, Shawn Spears, and Joey Janela. It was a fine position for Cutler, who wasn’t a huge name, and he was able to give solid in-ring action in order to make people look strong. Cutler became a mainstay on AEW Dark, making it feel more important and sustaining a huge losing streak, reaching nearly thirty straight losses. Cutler proved his knack of comedic timing during this, with he and partner Peter Avalon continuously losing matches.
Eventually, the pair imploded, having humorous non-finishes as both looked for their first win, and eventually Cutler would become victorious and go on a win streak on Dark, finally gaining momentum. It wouldn’t be long until Cutler was back on Dynamite, putting people once more. Whilst his fortunes in terms of wins and losses haven't necessarily improved in more recent times being featured on television is likely more important.
One thing that potentially held Cutler back at times was a reputation of being ‘friend’ of the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. This was due to Cutler being the brains and work behind the popular ‘Being The Elite’ YouTube series, following around his friends, vlogging and filming other skits with the AEW roster - with now a legitimate championship which these wrestlers fight for in unqiue games and challenges - it's just a whole lot of fun. This was gaining him some following too, and people were noticing his charisma. BTE overall has played a huge role in establishing talents such as The Dark Order, notably John Silver, so Cutler is having a huge effect up and down the AEW card.
Brandon Cutler Is An Entertaining Punching Bag
Once The Elite fully turned heel, with the Young Bucks finally aligning with the AEW World Champion Omega, Cutler became a featured member. His job was to be the lackey, the distraction, and more or less the bag carrier. In what started as something he was doing without wanting to, showing signs of restraint and unwillingness to follow through the dastardly villainous deeds that he would have to undertake, he has developed into an entertaining, heel sidekick, diving headfirst into this new role of his.
On commentary, he is very rightly branded as a ‘stooge’, which is a perfect way to sum him up. He bounces around after The Elite, filming them as they walk, doing their bidding. He is a perfect addition to their group, as he can be at the receiving end of punishment from face rivals, which manages to protect the more prestigious members of the group. He is often the punching bag, yet he is a compelling punching bag. Often it's important for wrestlers lower down the card to do strong work in order to elevate everyone else, whilst not stealing all the spotlight, but still making it entertaining.
It’s All About The Little Things With Brandon Cutler
The little things around Cutler’s character are what make his performances so fun to watch. His ridiculous-looking tracksuit, fit in several different colors, makes him stand out from everyone else, which, in a group where obscene fashion is more than common, is impressive. His face mask, whilst initially necessary due to a legitimate face injury, is something that adds to the silliness of his role, and it completes the look. His attire has truly become a staple of his entire character - even Colt Cabana dressed as him during a Halloween episode of AEW Dynamite.
His mannerisms and actions are constantly great too. From facial expressions to body language, Cutler is always over the top but convincingly so. He is always engaged, fretful, celebratory, depending on what goes on in the ring, something which also upheld with his footage on BTE, usually performing an entertaining, running commentary. As a distraction he works well too. His ice-cold spray has been a huge part of The Elite’s matches. Whether it’s constantly spraying the shoulders, back, and neck of hurt group members, or spraying it in someone’s eyes, it’s something effective and Cutler has made it his own. Every time Cutler is on screen, you’d now expect to see him wielding a phone and a can of spray, and those little objects and props are subtle parts of creating distinctive characters.
Cutler has even changed up his in-ring style, opting for a more goofy moveset, often marching around the ring to try and mimic the cockiness and coolness of his fellow Elite members, yet failing miserably. His tendency to lose the group matches, accidentally spray the Bucks by accident, as well as getting ejected from ringside are all different parts of this quietly pivotal character, who plays a huge role in important matches.
With him originally working under duress, it sets up a wealth of possibilities in the future, with a face turn a potential route to go down once tensions inevitably arise in The Elite. Either way though, Cutler has proved time and time again that no matter what role he’s put into, whether that be losing squash matches, being in comedic tag teams, playing up to his D&D love, or being The Elite’s resident stooge, he always thrives and makes himself entertaining.