In the early days of AEW, there was a ton of debate over who the four pillars of AEW were. Although the phrase has been mentioned many times by multiple AEW stars, many agree with MJF's list of four which included himself, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, and Jungle Boy. It makes sense since all four are massive players at AEW and all four grew to prominence at the company.
The recent AEW has not represented the four pillars well and has shockingly put into question whether they are still the future of the company. There has been a ton of movement up and down the card for all four stars and this will examine five reasons why the four pillars (MJF, Guevara, Darby, and Jungle Boy) are the future of AEW and five reasons they've been replaced.
10 Why They've Been Replaced: Half Of The Pillars are Away From AEW
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Darby Allin and Jungle Boy have continued to make a name for themselves on AEW despite a ton of recent changes. Jungle Boy and Luchsaurus are hot and cold, while Darby and Sting have hopped feud to feud with good matches and decent storylines. The same can't be said for MJF and Sammy Guevara.
Guevara recently got married and took some time away from the ring. Although it hasn't been a major drawback for him as a talent who can compete with anyone, the AEW roster has become so stacked his presence is barely missed. MJF took his ball and went home months ago despite being one of the top heels in AEW. No one seems to be sure if he'll return before the end of his contract in 2024.
9 Why They Are Still The Future: The Ceiling For All Four Is Still High
Anyone who thinks any member of AEW's four pillars has peaked is wrong. Sammy Guevara had a five-star match with Cody Rhodes just this year. Jungle Boy is finally getting a story that shows new dimensions to him. Darby is on course to be the next Jeff Hardy.
MJF is the only question mark in terms of the ceiling. Although he likes to think he's at the level of Randy Orton or Seth Rollins, he has a long way to go and a lot to prove before he can carry a company on his back. He's great on the mic, but he hasn't been world champion for a good reason, he's not ready. He'll either be the next CM Punk or the next Mr. Kennedy, only time will tell.
8 Why They've Been Replaced: AEW's Main Event Card Is Stacked
Since CM Punk and Bryan Danielson arrived at AEW, the roster has become stacked with big-name stars. A big aspect that also hurts the four pillars is the fact that many "dream matches" still haven't happened among the likes of Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, CM Punk, and FTR.
All four men are extremely talented, but none of them have the drawing power of Punk and Omega and have become replaced by stars that are international draws. Omega, Moxley, and Danielson are in their prime and that's also led to the pillars falling to the background.
7 Why They Are Still The Future: Most Of AEW's Top Guys Won't Be There Forever
CM Punk turns 44 later this year. Kenny Omega is set to turn 39. Moxley will be 37. The top names at AEW have a handful of years left at the top of the card and the four pillars will all be in their early 30s by the time those names are gone. They may have fallen out of the limelight for now, but their time will inevitably come. Will they all be in AEW when it does is the real question.
6 Why They've Been Replaced: AEW's Bloated Roster
At this point, Rampage and Dynamite could both be two hours and it would still leave a ton of talent on the table. With so many names and so many different storylines, the AEW roster has become bloated. Although there will always be time for MJF, Guevara, Darby, and Jungle Boy to have a segment or match, the four will be trapped in the middle of the program until the herd starts to thin or programming time increases. A few minutes of a show will never be enough to build them as future stars.
5 Why They Are Still The Future: As AEW Continues To Grow So Will They
AEW has made massive strides in the world of wrestling. A program that was once expected to be a quick treat for wrestling fans has built a great fanbase of its own.
Ten years from now, when AEW has a legacy to add to its great programming, the four members of the pillar will always be respected as founding members from "the early days." The same way Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan would always get a legacy pop in the WWE no matter where they went or how long they were gone.
4 Why They've Been Replaced: Aimless Booking
Although their talent is undeniable, the booking has been hit or miss for all four pillars. MJF had a few duds but took himself out of the booking discussion. Darby has had some highs since his pairing with Sting but has not remained in interesting storylines.
His feuds post-CM Punk were great, but his rivalry with Andre El Idolo and The Butcher were misses. Jungle Boy had to lose the tag team titles because he and Luchasaurus grew stagnant. Guevara has been in and out of stables for the past two years. All three have lost steam, at one point or another, due to poor booking.
3 Why They Are Still The Future: Each Member Exists In Their Own Lane
MJF, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, and Jungle Boy all represent different aspects of wrestling. Their styles are all different and their backstories couldn't be more different. They add such a variety to AEW programming that they will eventually rise to the top. Everyone after them who is in their lane will always be considered "another MJF" or "another Jungle Boy," which works in all of their favor in the long term.
2 Why They've Been Replaced: MJF
MJF's polarizing departure from AEW is still a topic of discussion. Regardless if AEW officials are in on the story or not, his prior actions hindered the pillar thanks to his notorious statements about joining the WWE. At one point, all four pillars appeared as AEW lifers on the outside. The departure of Cody Rhodes changed everything.
The pool of wrestling superstars seems to be a free for all now and brand loyalty has diminished for a fair reason, money. Still, MJF, one of the "pillars of AEW" has been one of the faces leading the departure discussion. Right or wrong, he might not be the future of AEW and the company has moved on without him.
1 Why They Are Still The Future: MJF, Guevara, Darby, and Jungle Boy Stand Out In Their Generation
The next generation of wrestling superstars is stacked. From Adam Page to Montez Ford, there is a ton of talent waiting for their run atop the world of wrestling. Even with an immensely talented generation, MJF, Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin, and Jungle Boy stand out. They will be premiere wrestling stars when their time comes. Regardless of how the cookie crumbles, these four will all have a shot to be the Roman Reigns or Jon Moxley of their generation.