AEW President Tony Khan was the latest guest on Busted Open Radio to discuss a wide range of topics, including Khan’s thoughts on Orange Cassidy and how he didn’t really understand the O.C. gimmick at first. Highlights from the interview are below.
Says he didn’t understand the Orange Cassidy gimmick at first but now he’s one of his favorites:
“That’s really what got him over with me in the first place, and that’s why he is a pushed wrestler in AEW. The gimmick is very entertaining and people love it. But the thing I really love about Orange Cassidy is how great of a wrestler he is when he really wants to try. It’s what really made me fall in love with Orange Cassidy. I didn’t understand it at first either and I’ll be the first to admit that.”
Recalls the first time he spoke to Cassidy at a PWG show:
“The first time I ever really talked to him was after a PWG show, I think. I had really not gotten to know him very well. I spent a lot of time with him and talking to him about how I saw the character and how I would want to see Orange Cassidy in AEW. One thing I’m really proud of is that if you’re an independent wrestling fan, then you probably would know this. Or maybe looking back, this would make sense to you. The Orange Cassidy in AEW is very different from the independent Orange Cassidy from pre-AEW,” Khan stated. “What’s really cool is, at first, he was pretty similar.”
Recalls the build to Cassidy’s first match in AEW against PAC:
“Really what I thought was great was building this transition that really built up to Revolution 2020,” he said. “Where I didn’t really want him to do much or do anything. And then he was going to have this match with PAC that would really be where it all would be revealed that he’s actually a great wrestler. And he’s actually going to try here. That would be when he would reveal himself to be a great athlete, that was Revolution 2020. Of course, I thought that was one of my favorite matches that year and one of my favorite PPVs we’ve done. Since then, he hasn’t let up.”
(H/T and transcribed by Wrestling Inc.)