The former TNT Champion recently had an interview with WrestleBinge. He talked about things such as his dream matches, where he gets inspiration for his character, and more.
When asked about his response to people who constantly criticize AEW for their stories and business decisions, Cassidy discussed how they’re a very young company:
“I could say why do you care? I could say if you want AEW to fail then fine. I don’t know why you have to go on and say it out loud?
We are a very young company. We’ve been around for five years. We’ve just grown exponentially fast and gained traction very early thanks in to the part of Tony Khan.”
We’re Gonna Have Problems Throughout Our Tenure: Orange Cassidy
Orange Cassidy explained that changing their approach is not a one-time thing as people believe. Making adjustments is something they’re going to have to continue doing as long as the company exists:
“We’re going to have to go through adjustments. This isn’t going to be a thing that’s only now problem. We’re gonna have problems throughout our entire tenure. I mean this is just the way it is.
I always feel that the powers that be in AEW are trying to do their best to bring the best product. If that means we got to go somewhere else we’re gonna go somewhere else. This is just part of it. I really hope AEW doesn’t go anywhere.”
The 40-year-old challenged Jon Moxley for the AEW World Title at Full Gear this past Saturday but failed to dethrone him. The ending of the show hinted that Darby Allin was going to be the next challenger for Mox and we’ll have to wait and see where Cassidy fits into the picture now.
Orange Cassidy believes AEW is still figuring out its unique identity in the pro wrestling industry and it just needs to continue evolving.
The former International Champion recently spoke to amNewYork Metro to promote Saturday’s Full Gear PPV from Newark, New Jersey. He talked about things such as growing up as a wrestling fan and more.
Addressing the recent troubles of AEW, Cassidy claimed that it’s because the company’s fast growth. He explained that the Tony Khan promotion right now is in it’s ‘middle school age’:
“It’s tough for AEW because of how fast the company grew and for how successful it has been in just under, we’re talking five years.
We’re growing and we’re changing, and we’re going through that weird middle school age of figuring out who you are and do you want your hair short or long. It’s important that AEW just takes the natural evolution, and we don’t try to force anything.”
Orange Cassidy also praised the AEW President as someone who has an incredible eye for talent. He claimed to feel secure in knowing that Khan will continue recruiting the best talents across the board:
“Tony Khan has an incredible eye for talent, and he’s an incredibly generous person that understands professional wrestling.
And no matter what changes we go through; I feel very secure in the fact that I know that Tony Khan will make sure that the best are wrestling for AEW.”
The 40-year-old discussed his feud with Jon Moxley as well. He recalled their encounter at the 2023 Full Gear event and said that going to war with the AEW World Champion has actually changed him.
Talking about their upcoming match, Cassidy claimed that he is not worried about what Mox may do before or after the bell on Saturday, and he’s focused on winning the contest that’ll take place in between.
You can check out the updated Full Gear match card featuring Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley and more here.
On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Orange Cassidy officially challenged Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown at AEW Full Gear 2024. Known for his laid-back style, Cassidy surprised fans with a rare intensity, directly calling out Moxley.
Orange Cassidy makes a challenge to #AEW World Champion Jon Moxley!
Cassidy’s challenge goes beyond personal ambition, expressing a commitment to preserving AEW’s spirit amid recent upheaval from Moxley’s faction. This title match will not only test Cassidy’s skill but also serve as a proving ground against one of AEW’s most relentless competitors.
Fans and wrestlers alike are buzzing on social media, noting Cassidy’s evolution from comedic persona to serious contender. His performances as AEW International Champion have shown he can handle high-stakes battles, raising questions about his strategy against Moxley’s aggressive style.
AEW star Orange Cassidy has made it clear that he is not interested in becoming the face of the promotion.
On the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley and the Blackpool Combat Club yet again wreaked havoc and this time around assaulted Chuck Taylor. Claudio Castagnoli even stomped him with a steel chair wrapped around his neck before Orange Cassidy rushed down to attend to his best friend.
Orange Cassidy told Good Karma Wrestling that doesn’t believe he is the face of AEW nor he wants that. He said:
“No, and I don’t think that I am, nor should I be. I don’t want that. I never wanted that. I wanted to do what I had to do and go home. After what happened last night, it’s been made very clear to me that I think I have no choice in the situation. Before, early in AEW, there was always this thing of ‘Oh, he’s going to try. He’ll care this time.’ I don’t feel that I have any choice in this matter. I have to fight now. I have to fight. I don’t want to, but if the people around me that I care about the most are going to be hurt, then I really have no choice in the matter.”
He then reflected on what went down on Wednesday night and said that he never imagined that Taylor would get assaulted by BCC. Orange Cassidy said:
“At that very moment, it was, I was literally one second late. I slid into the ring right as Claudio was stomping the chair on his neck. I’m not very calculated, obviously, I just react. All day, I was just reacting. Earlier in the night, Chuck said stuff to me that I needed to hear, it’s what a good friend would do. I’m just reacting. I never thought I’d see him laid out again. He was injured before by Trent, and to see that again, it’s something I never thought I would have to see, but I did. At that moment, I don’t want to take the cop out answer and say I blacked out. Just everything that was going on, it wasn’t something I expected. All of my thoughts will be made clear on Dynamite. The Fright Night thing.”
Orange Cassidy has said that his thoughts will be made clear on next week’s AEW Fright Night Dynamite. The show is set to air live on TBS and will emanate from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
For latest updates on AEW, keep an eye on SEScoops.
In recent days, Hurricane Helene has ravaged the United States, with at least 125 people losing their lives and many more being affected. Alongside national assistance, individuals have been trying to do what they can to help out, and the world of wrestling is opening its hearts, and its wallets, to those in need.
AEW’s Cash Wheeler has launched a GoFundMe to help those affected by Hurricane Helene which has proven to be a huge success. The fundraiser has already smashed past its original goal of $25,000 USD and at this time, is sitting at over $53,000.
Here are some notable names from wrestling who have pitched in:
AEW President Tony Khan – $10,000
Chris Jericho – $5,000
Nick Massie (aka Nick Jackson) – $2,000
Orange Cassidy – $1,500
Pamela Martinez (aka Bayley) – $1,250
MJF – $1,000
Matt Cardona – $500
Cezar Bononi – $300
Hurricane Helene has affected several plans in the world of wrestling, with MLW canceling its October 4, event due to the storm. TNA has similarly canceled its upcoming tapings in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that had been scheduled for October 4. CJ Perry’s mother was left stranded due to the storm, as was her father, though Perry has since shared that her mom and dad have now been reunited.
Hurricane Helene has devastated lives, and Wheeler’s GoFundMe will do a lot of good to help those most in need. We here at SEScoops are sending our very best wishes to those affected by Hurricane Helene.
AEW star Chris Jericho wants retribution on Orange Cassidy and The Conglomeration.
Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy have been involved in a feud for weeks. During the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, the pair collided in a singles match. In the final moments of the match, Cassidy took a stack of quarters from Jericho and hit the Orange Punch to secure the win. This marks Orange Cassidy’s first clash against Chris Jericho in four years and he has once again won the match.
In an AEW digital exclusive, Chris Jericho sent a stern warning to Orange Cassidy and called him a ‘cheater.’ The veteran star also made it clear that his feud with The Conglomeration is far from over. He said:
“You should be filming me. Filming Orange Cassidy, that cheater, after he beat me on Dynamite with a stack of rolled quarters in his hand. What is your problem with change, Orange? Now we know what you’re all about. So the Learning Tree has a lesson for you. The next time I see you or any of those dopey Conglomeration members that you call buddies, friends, pals, I’m gonna take this all out on the three of you with ‘The Redwood’ and ‘The Bad Apple.’ This is not the end of The Learning Tree versus The Conglomeration. Thanks, Orange, for being a low-life cheater. Shame on you. I should tell your orange mother what you did.”
The Conglomeration, which was formed a few months back, has become one of the most popular factions in the promotion. The faction consists of Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Tomohiro Ishii, and Willow Nightingale.
By the looks of it, the feud doesn’t seem to end anytime soon.
The Don Callis Family has brought a ton of heat so far in AEW. Now, Trent is their newest member.
During AEW Dynamite this week, Don Callis appeared in the ring to kick off the second hour of the show. He was there to supposedly extend an invitation to Orange Cassidy to join his family. Callis praised Cassidy, who then came out to greet him, receiving cheers from the LA crowd. Cassidy took Callis’ contract, ripped it up, and said, “Hey Don, no.”
Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway then joined them, as they stood on the entrance ramp. Stokely made a comment about Willow Nightingale, and Statlander accepted the invitation on behalf of her best friend. The attention then turned back to the ring, where Trent was standing in the corner, ready to strike.
Trent attacked Cassidy, bloodying him with punches. After the assault, Trent approached Callis, and they hugged, marking Trent’s entry into the Don Callis family.
Trent Beretta joined the DCF by hugging Don Callis right on top of Orange's Cassidy dead body.
WITH THE BEST FRIENDS ZOOM OUT AND EVERYTHING. He's already giving OC trauma… pic.twitter.com/clDcb0sw7k
The Don Callis Family, led by Don Callis, consists of Konosuke Takeshita, Will Ospreay, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Kyle Fletcher. Callis has been scouting Orange Cassidy in recent weeks.
Freshly Squeezed beat Trent Beretta at AEW Double or Nothing last Sunday in a grudge match between the former Best Friends. Cassidy won by rolling Beretta into a pinning combination after his usual finishers failed. Devastated, Beretta walked away dejectedly through the crowd without seeking revenge.
Fans wondered what was next for Trent and OC, and now we know that Don Callis is definitely involved.
Trent Beretta wants to take out Orange Cassidy FOR GOOD tonight.
Tony Khan has done a lot while booking AEW so far, but his transformation of Orange Cassidy has been impressive to see. Some were initially worried when TK signed the indie darling who couldn’t keep his hands out of his pockets. After introducing Cassidy to the world, they have not accepted him as a pro wrestling star. Still, it’s hard to shake that comic stigma that brought him to the table.
Orange Cassidy Speaks on Comedic Wrestling
Orange Cassidy, a prominent figure in Tony Khan’s AEW, is celebrated for his captivating in-ring abilities. Despite his silence and comedic routines, Cassidy has garnered immense popularity among wrestling enthusiasts.
The current AEW International Champion is often seen as a comedic attraction, known for his playful gestures such as teasing opponents with kicks and responding to others with his signature thumb raise.
During a recent interview with theathletic.com, Cassidy expressed gratitude towards AEW, highlighting the opportunity it provides to showcase a range of emotions. He emphasized the importance of versatility in professional wrestling, stating that being pigeonholed into one role would lead to stagnation. In the end, he doesn’t really care for the term “comedic wrestling.”
“I don’t really like the term comedy wrestler because I feel that professional wrestling is an art. This is the art I create and art, to me, should generate emotions out of people. Those emotions could be laughter. They could also be joy, it could also be sadness, it could be regret, it could be depression. If I was just a comedic wrestler, would people really care, would they be invested?“
Orange Cassidy remarked that in a movie solely filled with laughter for 90 minutes, there’s always a moment that deeply resonates with the audience. He expressed gratitude towards AEW for providing him with the opportunity to display various emotions, emphasizing that elsewhere, he might be confined to a single comedic role. Cassidy noted the risk of becoming stale if restricted to one-dimensional character portrayals. He stressed the importance of being a professional wrestler above all else to evoke genuine emotions from the audience.
It was once difficult to get more than three words out of Orange Cassidy. Now, he’s doing full-fledged interviews, while diving into his own version of pro wrestling theory.
What’s Next
AEW has built Orange Cassidy into a legitimate champion, as fans follow what Freshly Squeezed does next. We will have to see how Tony Khan books OC in the future, because he has certainly done a lot for him so far.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of AEW and Orange Cassidy whenever new headlines drop, so keep checking back for more.
Fans who attended the most recent Revolution Pro Wrestling event received a huge surprise in the form of reigning AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy.
Cassidy was part of a multi-man scramble match that saw the International title on the line at the company’s High Stakes show. He defended the gold against Sha Samuels, Spike Trivet, Richard Holliday, Cameron Khai, and TNA Wrestling’s Flash Morgan Webster. On Twitter, Rev Pro shared the moment Cassidy made his entrance and the electric response he received from the fans.
In a tweet of his own, Webster shared his delight at challenging for the AEW International Championship and believes it is a strong start to what will be an epic 2024.
Just wrestled for the @AEW International Championship in front of 2000 rapid @RevProUK fans.
While Cassidy’s appearance at the show was a surprise, it was no secret that the Freshly Squeezed wrestler was overseas in the United Kingdom. Cassidy, alongside AEW World Tag Team Champion Darby Allin, was seen with AEW President Tony Khan at a Fulham FC soccer game. Unfortunately for the AEW trio, Fulham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Orange Cassidy in AEW
Cassidy is in his record-setting second reign as the AEW International Champion. His first reign with the title is the longest in the title’s history. Cassidy also holds the record for the most successful title defenses in AEW. Outside of singles competition, Cassidy is part of the Best Friends stable alongside Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, and Kris Statlander. Cassidy made his debut for AEW at their inaugural Double or Nothing event in 2019 and would sign with the promotion that same year.
We’re six weeks away from AEW’s first pay-per-view of the year. Revolution will be the home of Sting’s final match. Matches have steadily been added to the show.
Since the Undisputed Kingdom were revealed as The Devil and The Devil’s Masked Men, they’ve made it clear that they’re on the hunt for gold. Matt Taven and Mike Bennett have a head start with the ROH Tag Team Championships. Roderick Strong has his sights set on the International Championship.
Last week following Cassidy’s match, Strong let Cassidy know that he wanted to wrestle him for the title. The champ was ready to go right then and there, but in true heel fashion, Strong wanted to wait. Weeks. He named the time and place: Revolution.
The Undisputed Kingdom left the ring before getting an answer. During a backstage segment, Renee Paquette asked Cassidy what his reaction was. He replied, “my reaction is…okay. I will wrestle you, Roddy for my International Championship at Revolution on March 3.”
The #AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy has a message for Roderick Strong.
Orange Cassidy hasn’t defended his title on a pay-per-view since Full Gear. Since his match with Strong is six weeks away, he wants to continue defending his title. In his segment with Paquette that he asked Tony to “get some of my friends, some of my enemies, some like, friends and enemies. Put them together in a match on Rampage and then the winner of that will wrestle me on Collision on Saturday for my International Championship.”
Kip Sabian, The Butcher, Komander, and Vikingo will face off this Friday for a shot at Cassidy’s title on Saturday.
Orange Cassidy leads by example and he believes Jon Moxley does too.
In a new interview with Adrian Hernandez, Cassidy commented on how Jon Moxley, a recent rival of his, has earned the respect of his pro wrestling peers and is undoubtedly a leader behind the scenes in AEW.
“Jon Moxley is a leader for AEW. I think a lot of people look to Jon Moxley for leadership. I am too, like Jon Moxley, a person that leads by example and I saw the example that he was setting and I was like, ‘You know what? I want to do that.’ I tried, but no one can be Jon Moxley because there’s no Jon Moxley.”
Orange Cassidy Thanks Jon Moxley
Cassidy continues giving Moxley his flowers, noting that it was the aggressive nature of Mox in the squared circle that unleashed a new Freshly Squeezed identity in the current AEW International Champion.
“I am forever in his debt for him changing and bringing up this version of me that is clearly a better version because I still have this thing (the AEW International Championship belt).”
Orange Cassidy has certainly established himself as a name star for All Elite Wrestling, getting his polarizing “peeled back” persona over with the fans. Cassidy has even earned the admiration from the likes of Kevin Nash, who once noted on his podcast that he loves his character.
On this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Cassidy will team up with Dustin Rhodes, Adam Copeland and Preston Vance to face The Gates Of Agony, Lance Archer and Brian Cage in an eight-man tag.
Please credit Adrian Hernandez and h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
The winner of the triple threat All-Atlantic Championship match between Orange Cassidy, Luchasaurus, and Rey Fenix would get to defend the title in a dream match this Friday on Rampage.
Jungle Boy returned with a surprise attack on Luchasaurus to take care of him. PAC tried to get Fenix to use the ring bell hammer to cheat. Cassidy ended up pinning Fenix and immediately paid for it when PAC attacked the champion. “The Bastard” was about to live up to his moniker and attack Cassidy with the hammer when Katsuyori Shibata’s music hit (yeah, you read that right).
Following him out of the tunnel was Rocky Romero and Best Friends. Shibata also had a hammer in hand while PAC safely awaited on the other side of the ring. He needn’t worry because “The Wrestler” wasn’t coming for him, he was coming for the All-Atlantic Champion. Cassidy handed Shibata the contract and a pen, which he signed on the spot.
😱😱😱
The #AEW All-Atlantic City Dream Match HAS BEEN SIGNED! It's Katsuyori Shibata vs. Champion @orangecassidy!
Shibata had Orange Cassidy’s back at Forbidden Door
Shibata was last seen in AEW back in June at Forbidden Door. Will Ospreay attacked Cassidy and Shibata made the save. That makes it surprising that he wants to challenge Cassidy for his title.
Shibata hasn’t wrestled since January at Wrestle Kingdom 16. He beat his protege, Ren Narita. Last October, Shibata made his surprise in-ring return at the G1. He and Zack Sabre, Jr. went to a time-limit draw in a grappling match. Shibata stopped wrestling (he says he wasn’t retiring) in 2017 after suffering a subdural hematoma in a match against Kazuchika Okada, which left the right side of his body paralyzed.
His match on Rampage will only be his third match since that fateful day.
AEW made its Canada debut this week with Dynamite coming live from Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum. The main event of the show saw Orange Cassidy challenging Pac for the All-Atlantic Title.
At one point in the match, Pac tried to use the title to get himself disqualified but Danhausen made a surprise appearance and stopped him.
Pac then retrieved a hammer from under the ring. However, Cassidy prevented him from using it. The Freshly Squeezed delivered a couple of Orange Punches to pick up the victory and win his first championship in the company.
The show went off the air with Orange Cassidy celebrating his title win alongside Danhausen and the Best Friends. Though this wasn’t the end of the night.
What Happened With Orange Cassidy After Dynamite
After the cameras stopped rolling, Cassidy mentioned how he doesn’t like to carry things. He called out for someone to bring his bag and it turned out to be none other than Kris Statlander.
After they put the title in the bag, Cassidy cut a promo thanking the fans. You can check out the new champion’s post-show promo in the video below:
In the wrestling business, characters often switch things up. Whether it’s a babyface or heel turn, or an entirely new gimmick, change happens all the time in this industry.
AEW has certainly made some adjustments to its performers but Tony Khan’s favorite change seems to be licensed music. That is apparent with this latest transition set for an AEW star.
Orange Cassidy Getting New Theme Song
(AEW)
Fightful is reporting that AEW has secured the rights to use “Jane,” which is a 1979 track by Jefferson Starship. OC used this song while he was on the indies and he will be using it once again.
Orange Cassidy teased “something new” in a Tweet just before the June 26 Forbidden Door event.
“This is tomorrow. Will said he has a special costume. I guess I’ll get something new too. Oh, and the IWGP US Championship.”
Cassidy will be challenging Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door. There will be no physical title, however, as in storyline Juice Robinson hasn’t let go of the championship despite being stripped of it officially.
SEScoops will have you covered throughout the Forbidden Door PPV event. We’ll be providing live results and video highlights throughout the night.
AEW had plans for an extended storyline involving Orange Cassidy and Danhausen, but those plans have been put on hold due to Cassidy’s shoulder injury.
Cassidy competed in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at AEW Revolution back on March 6th. He suffered a “significant injury” after Keith Lee tossed him outside the ring, as seen below.
Thankfully, Cassidy was able to avoid shoulder surgery. However, he remains on the sidelines 6 weeks later with no updates on when he’s expected back.
AEW President Tony Khan is this week’s guest on Robbie Fox’s My Mom’s Basement podcast. During their discussion, Khan revealed that Cassidy’s injury derailed plans for him and Danhausen to continue working together at Revolution.
It’s unclear exactly what AEW had planned for the two polarizing comedy figures, but wrestling fans can expect them to reunite when Cassidy is healthy enough to return.
Danhausen made his AEW debut earlier this year during an Orange Cassidy match. The duo is aligned with the Best Friends faction and interacted a bit before Revolution.
With Cassidy on the sidelines, Khan said Danhausen won’t be forgotten. Khan said he sees Danhausen as a crossover star for AEW who can represent the company in various forums outside of wrestling.
During Cassidy’s absence, Danhausen has been working with Hook. Khan says he’s very excited for Danhausen and Hook’s “journey together,” which should lead to some interesting interactions.
Watch Tony Khan’s appearance on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox:
Tony Khan always admired the athletic ability of Orange Cassidy but he was iffy on his gimmick at first.
Cassidy garnered a lot of attention on the indie scene. Many fans loved his gimmick of being the chill wrestler who puts his hands in his pockets. Others felt that OC had no shot of getting over on television.
Cassidy has been well received since coming to AEW and his gimmick hasn’t been as over the top as it was on the indies. Still, OC is allowed to be himself and has garnered success.
Tony Khan Didn’t Get Orange Cassidy At First
Tony Khan appeared as a guest on Busted Open Radio and said that he wasn’t sure what to make of the Orange Cassidy gimmick initially.
“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 [laughs]. 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.
“The first time I ever really talked to him was after a PWG show I think and I had really not gotten to know him very well, and 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 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.”
On the Dec. 22 Holiday Bash episode of AEW Dynamite, OC will be going one-on-one with Adam Cole. OC and Best Friends, who recently joined the NJPW faction CHAOS, have been in a feud with The Elite.
Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article
Mark Henry has given his take on Matt Hardy’s recent injury.
The Aug. 25 edition of AEW Dynamite opened with a matchup between Hardy and Orange Cassidy. At one point in the match, Cassidy landed a flying crossbody and Hardy was clocked right on the nose. Hardy began bleeding and the aftermath was a busted face. Cassidy ended up winning the match.
Henry was asked about Hardy’s injury during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio and had the following to say.
“I don’t know if you all paid attention, but Orange Cassidy, right before they went to the finish, he did a flying cross body where he cross bodied Matt Hardy right across the face. I hope that Matt Hardy is alright because I saw him later on in the evening, and his eye was shut, his nose was broken, his face was swollen up to where I couldn’t recognize him if I didn’t know what clothes he had on.”
Hardy has been in a feud with Orange Cassidy that started when Cassidy took issue with Hardy’s treatment of Wheeler Yuta. It was explained on AEW TV that Cassidy felt Hardy targeted Yuta, who has aligned himself with Cassidy and Chuck Taylor, because he’s a newcomer to the promotion.
Matt Hardy says his feud with Orange Cassidy is personal now that he’s busted his face.
When you come for the KING, you’d best not miss. Your best shot missed, OC. You didn’t finish me. You couldn’t end me. This is personal now.
“When you come for the KING, you’d best not miss. Your best shot missed, OC. You didn’t finish me. You couldn’t end me. This is personal now. You can’t BREAK what’s already BROKEN.”
The group of Chuck Taylor, Kris Statlander, Orange Cassidy, and Trent joined the latest episode of Busted Open Radio. The AEW stars talked about a wide variety of topics during their appearance.
The King Of Sloth Style has become an internet sensation since joining AEW. His unique wrestling style and persona has made him one of the most beloved babyfaces of the industry.
When asked if he ever saw himself getting this level of success in the wrestling world, Cassidy admitted that he didn’t imagine it when he first got started:
“To answer your question without getting too much into it, no, never ever. I just put a denim jacket on and started wrestling. You know, whatever happened, happened.”
Orange Cassidy was then asked how he feels about AEW’s return to the road next week and getting to work in front of fans again. Replying to it, he said that he is looking forward to doing more of what he wants to do:
“I had to wrestle more, which I wasn’t a fan of, but luckily during that time, a bunch of people like Chris Jericho and the great Brodie Lee, they pissed me off hard enough to make me actually wrestle. Now that the people are back I can, you know, get back to doing what I want to do, which is more of nothing.”
During the interview, Chuck Taylor mentioned how many people believe Orange Cassidy to be an overnight success. In reality, he has worked on indies for many years before joining the promotion.
On AEW Dynamite last night, the match between Orange Cassidy and PAC was ended early. Cassidy was noticeably hurt following a powerbomb and he had also took a stiff superkick to the face.
After some stalling, Kenny Omega hit PAC in the back of the head with the title belt and both wrestlers were unable to make Aubrey Edwards’ 10-count. The match was declared a draw and both Orange and PAC will face Omega for the title at Double or Nothing.
Cassidy was generally ‘okay’ and will be good to go by May 30th for the PPV. He was seen socializing with others in the back after the show and does not seem to have sustained any significant injuries.
Orange Cassidy Update (5/13)
The injury scare was also addressed on Wrestling Observer Radio. It was noted that the planned finish of the match had been a 20-minute time-limit draw. It had always been the plan for a 3-way match at Double or Nothing.
“They were going to do the 3-way at the PPV and the hope is that they will still do the 3-way at the PPV. It depends on Orange Cassidy,” said Dave Meltzer. “Although, he was fine later in the night but he took a nasty kick in the face and the powerbomb looked kind of ugly too. And he was knocked out, or close to knocked out, whatever it was.”
“They were going to a 20-minute draw, that was the plan. They were about 14-minutes in when this happened,” he continued.
The #1 contender match between Pac and Orange Cassidy on this week’s episode of Dynamite ended in double count-out after the latter got knocked out.
However, this wasn’t the planned finish for the bout and the officials had to call an audible during the show, according to PWInsider. The original plan was for the match to continue a bit longer and for the match to end in a 20-minute time limit draw.
However, Cassidy got legitimately hurt after taking the sunset flip powerbomb to the floor towards the ending of the match. While he still kept trying to get back in the ring and finish the match as intended, the decision was made on the spot to end the bout.
Though it didn’t change the plans for the championship match for Double Or Nothing and according to the report, the company always intended for the AEW world championship match to be a triple threat.
Regarding Orange Cassidy, it was noted that the young star was ok after the match and he was seen socializing with a number of talents after the show.
Kenny Omega will defend his AEW world championship against both Pac and Orange Cassidy in a triple threat match at the Double Or Nothing PPV on May 30.
AEW star Eddie Kingston appeared on this week’s episode of the Talk Is Jericho podcast. The independent veteran would discuss a number of topics from his time on the road, working with a number of AEW stars and his tryout with WWE.
During the show Chris Jericho and Kingston would discuss characters in AEW, with special praise being given to the younger talent such as Orange Cassidy. Jericho and Cassidy have been feuding on Dynamite and their program seemingly culminated at this past weekend’s ALL OUT PPV.
Even still, Jericho would admit that there were three younger ‘characters’ in AEW that he did not like initially. Chris Jericho would even say that he needed to get his “head out of my a**” to appreciate them as workers.
Chris Jericho on Younger Talent
“The idea of wrestling is to be different and get over” Chris Jericho began on the podcast. “If you can do that? You’ll make money. And listen, is it a six foot eight muscle guy? We went through that phase. Is it a five foot six guy with a mask? We went through that phase.”
Chris Jericho would then reveal the three talents that he had an issue with initially. “When I first came in here [to AEW]? I had a big issue, or problem, with Marko Stunt, Orange Cassidy, and Chuck Taylor.”
“Instead of Rey Mysterio and Bobby Eaton…and I don’t know what Orange Cassidy would even be related to, you know!? You now have Marko who’s a smaller guy, and we have Chuck Taylor, who’s doesn’t have the best physique but he’s a great wrestler. Then we got Orange, he was completely carved out this whole new character for himself. As soon as I actually pulled my head out of my ass I went ‘holy sh*t this guy is over.’ That’s what it’s all about.”
Do you agree with Chris Jericho? Were you not a fan of Orange Cassidy and you’ve changed your opinion of him? Let us know in the comments
The third match between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy was quite the spectacle.
The fan favorite star and former AEW World Heavyweight Champion battled in a Mimosa Mayhem Match. The contest, which was different, took place at the AEW All Out pay-per-view event in Jacksonville, Florida with the rules of there being a winner by pinfall, submission, or by throwing your opponent into a vat of mimosa.
The bout had a lot of brawling and various weapons being used. The finish saw Cassidy hit the Orange Punch to Jericho who was on the middle rope into the pool for the win.
When it was first revealed that Jericho wanted to feud with Cassidy, there was an initial backlash as Jericho has been a main eventer since he joined the promotion while Cassidy had been a comedy mid-card talent. As the program started to develop, that started to change.
Their first match took place at Fyter Fest – Night 2 when Jericho beat Cassidy in a singles bout. This led to Cassidy asking for a rematch, but had to do various attacks on Jericho and The Inner Circle before Jericho accepted the challenge.
One of the attacks included Cassidy dumping orange juice from the ceiling on Jericho, which ruined his expensive white jacket. They had a debate that was hosted by Eric Bischoff before their rematch that saw Cassidy victorious on the August 12th episode of Dynamite.
Chris Jericho will face Orange Cassidy in a Mimosa Mayhem match at All Out. It will be the third match they have had in what has been a months long rivalry now between the two. Jericho recently spoke to SI.com and noted that at first, he didn’t really like Orange Cassidy.
“When I first came to AEW, I was not a fan of Orange Cassidy. I just didn’t get it. When I actually spent some time with him, watching his matches and seeing how he connected with the audience, I realized that he’s over. That’s the secret of wrestling: getting over. He’s over because he’s doing something no one’s ever done before,” Jericho said.
Jericho said that Cassidy being a type of character fans have never seen before is why he wanted to work with him. He spent some more time during the interview discussing what he wanted fans to see from Orange Cassidy during the program.
“This is a guy that hasn’t been in a main-event program before. I thought, let’s put him in one and see a side of Orange Cassidy, a violent side, that we’ve never seen before. Let’s see the Orange Cassidy that cuts a great promo and see how he does in an extended program. I believe we started this the week after Stadium Stampede, so it’s close to 14 weeks for this program.”
Jericho also noted that they two have had some entertaining segments on Dynamite and now will have a big match on PPV.
“We created some really good TV, and this is going to be a great pay-per-view blow-off match for this program,” Jericho continued.
Orange Cassidy has shared how he believes The Young Bucks signed him to All Elite Wrestling as a “middle finger to professional wrestling.”
Speaking with ESPN, Cassidy reflected on how Matt and Nick Jackson were determined to sign him. The brothers eventually got their wish granted when Cassidy officially debuted for AEW at 2019’s All Out pay-per-view. He had previously participated at Double or Nothing’s Casino Battle Royale.
“The Young Bucks were the people that were like, ‘We need to get Orange here,'” Orange Cassidy said. “Because my character is a giant middle finger to professional wrestling, so they were like, ‘Of course, let’s get him in.'”
Cassidy aligned himself with Best Friends, Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta. The trio have been teaming with and accompanying one another ever since.
Recognizing Cassidy had a following, Khan explained how “[…] he wasn’t somebody, when we started, that I was really particularly aware of or had real big plans for,” Khan said. “[After Double or Nothing,] I spent a lot of time with Orange Cassidy and got to know him a lot better, and also talked to him about ideas, and that opened a lot of doors for both of us.”
Since then, Khan has acknowledged how Cassidy is a multitalented team player. This recognition has seen Cassidy become involved in a major feud with former AEW Champion Chris Jericho.
Orange Cassidy has become one of AEW’s biggest stars. Lately, he’s even been involved in a memorable rivalry with “Le Champion” Chris Jericho. The two main event’ed night 2 of Fyter Fest and on last week’s episode, Cassidy had orange juice dumped on his rival from up above.
Tony Khan was recently interviewed by ESPN and noted he didn’t originally have big plans for Cassidy when he first booked him for last year’s Double or Nothing. Cassidy was in the 21-person Casino Battle Royal at the 2019 Double or Nothing event.
“He clearly had a following, but he wasn’t somebody, when we started, that I was really particularly aware of or had real big plans for,” said Khan to ESPN. “[After Double or Nothing,] I spent a lot of time with Orange Cassidy and got to know him a lot better, and also talked to him about ideas, and that opened a lot of doors for both of us.”
Khan continued to say he was surprised by how much thought the performer actually puts into his rather unique character.
“I had no idea what an intelligent person Orange Cassidy is, and he is very, very smart. And really, I had no idea how well-thought-out this all was.”
Khan also noted that he feels Cassidy has been a real team-player in AEW.
“He’s multitalented, he’s a team player, he’s tried to make other people look good as much as possible, and the most important thing above all else is his work is phenomenal. He’s a great wrestler.”
Khan (and many, many other wrestling fans) dressed up as Orange Cassidy for Halloween last year.
