The Dark Order, The Dark Side, things are getting pretty dark over on AEW Dynamite. Last week, wrestling legend Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts made his first televised appearance since a brief cameo with The Shield in 2013, addressing Cody Rhodes and alluding to a mysterious client that we’ll see surface in the near future.
Fans have been left scratching their heads wondering who might be Jake’s newest pal, naturally they’re going to be someone that’s ready to embrace the more macabre side of professional wrestling, so we’re going to have a stab at running down 5 potential wrestlers that could be revealed as ‘The Snake’s’ client on Dynamite.
Make sure you lend us your own predictions on who could turn out to be ‘The American Nightmare’s’ impending nightmare.
1. Brodie Lee (Luke Harper)
Jake Roberts is notorious for his cryptic promos, it’s what made him such an intriguing character in the 90s. Fans immediately took to Twitter to try and decipher what ‘The Snake’ was preaching on Dynamite last week, with some speculating that the references to ‘Caesar’ somehow linked to the upcoming AEW tapings in Rochester, New York. This being the home of one Brodie Lee.
Lee, who recently parted ways with WWE, has been highly rumoured to be signing on with AEW and making his debut in his hometown. It’s going to be great seeing Brodie back to his old tricks on the indie scene, but perhaps there’s a lot of work to be done to undo the past few years spent as Luke Harper.
Maybe instead, AEW will pitch Lee as a similar, zombie-like character on Dynamite, making the most of his recent experience and the image that the majority of fans have of Brodie’s character. Having him embrace the dark side and align himself with ‘The Snake’ would be a fantastic way to re-introduce Brodie Lee as a huge threat on AEW: Dynamite. Not only would Roberts be able to make up for Lee’s lack of mic time, but he would manage to put over just how incredible of a performer Brodie is.
Just being around Jake Roberts would rub off on him and give him the necessary career reboot we fans have longed for. Playing on the established chemistry between Lee and Cody would be a great start to the rest of Brodie’s life on the indies.
2. Lance Archer
The second suspect is another recently confirmed signee for AEW, former IWGP United States Champion, Lance Archer. Archer has had quite the year in NJPW, making waves across the world with his impressive G1 Climax performances and feuds with the likes of Jon Moxley. Lance has quickly become one of the most talked about big men in all of wrestling, along with the likes of Keith Lee and Luchasaurus. AEW is the perfect home for him to start to build on his already stellar career.
Lance Archer might not be the first man you’d pair with the sinister Jake Roberts, but depending on how AEW want to brand Archer going forward, he might start to fit in with the dark imagery. Roberts will undoubtedly be able to make any wrestler look like the most threatening six-footer since Michael Myers, I’m sure by partnering the relatively fresh star with someone so iconic will do Archer nothing but favours as he starts to find his feet among the rest of the AEW roster.
Lance Archer has a tonne of potential going forward. Hopefully we’ll see Archer start to develop more as a performer on US soil and prove to the rest of the wrestling world that he’s not someone to sleep on.
3. Jimmy Havoc
Jimmy F’N Havoc might not be everyone’s first choice to see side with Jake Roberts, but when you start considering who exactly fits in with the ‘dark side’ of AEW, Jimmy is the perfect candidate. Havoc’s hardcore hijinks has been more than enough to win over the American audience, but he’s yet to be given a big opportunity to show off his range on Dynamite. Havoc has occasionally been featured in feuds with Joey Janela, Darby Allin and most recently, the maniacal Luther.
Introducing Jimmy Havoc as Jake Roberts’ newest student would be a shocker for sure, but one that could develop into something truly special on AEW television. A bloody feud between Havoc and Cody would be a great way to give ‘The King of Goths’ some decent mainstream exposure, even if Havoc might not necessarily need someone to cut promos for him, having him be flanked by Jake Roberts would be a huge nod of appreciation.
Regardless, AEW needs some more Jimmy Havoc.
4. Christopher Daniels
AEW have teased a turn to the dark side for SCU’s Christopher Daniels. While Daniels has been tipping his toes into the Dark Order brood, he’s yet to fully turn towards the cult and remain on the side of Kazarian and Scorpio Sky. With that opportunity passing him by, perhaps there’s another route for Daniels to break out as a more sinister version of himself, and that could be with Jake Roberts.
Christopher Daniels might not be the most likely candidate here, especially when in the same conversation as the aforementioned three, but nevertheless, if AEW consider Chris Daniels to be a valuable singles star, then this could be their one big chance.
Daniels hasn’t exactly been the squeakiest of clean babyfaces in the past, so it’s not totally implausible for him to side with Jake Roberts and start picking apart AEW’s brass. Again, I think Daniels is more likely to stay fighting with SCU, but there’s enough of a seed being planted for a potential turn to the dark side in the near future thanks to Evil Uno and co.
5. Cody Rhodes
This one’s a little far out, but what if all this is one big ruse? Jake Roberts targeting Cody could be the start of a very long game between the two, maybe ‘The Snake’ is trying to manipulate the AEW head-honcho into handing over the keys of the kingdom? Perhaps this is a way for Cody to start breaching the walls of villainy and break out with a new character alongside the legendary Roberts.
Jake and Cody go way back, being a friend of Dusty’s way back when would make their relationship strong enough to suggest a partnership down the line. This will be a huge jump for Cody, especially seeing as he’s so popular with the AEW crowd. But with the AEW Championship now out of sight for the foreseeable future, Cody might need to start testing some new waters to start building him up as a threat to Jon Moxley later on in the year.
Cody’s definitely the least likely here, but I’d respect AEW for attempting something a little more convoluted than simply going with the expected names.
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