“Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.”
—Gianni Versace
Christian Cage is among one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, but the Turtleneck Era could be his best yet.
Fashion is something that has eluded wrestlers over the years. While the world moved on, the fanny pack and jean short trend continued into the world of pro-wrestling for 30 years or longer.
It’s almost in it’s own bubble – a time capsule of things that weren’t even fashionable in the 1990s. Yet, once in a generation, an icon comes along to revolutionise the industry in a way only he can.
In the 1980s, Hulk Hogan ran wild by saying his prayers and eating his vitamins – for American.
In the 1990s, Steve Austin kicked ass and beat up his boss, echoing the sentiments of the working man at the time.
In the 2000s, John Cena preached the virtues of Hustle, Loyalty and Repsect, wearing the terrible aforementioned jean shorts.
In the 2020s, the Christian Cage era is upon us. With his sleeveless turtleneck and bullying people’s dead dads, there is simply no way he does not become the biggest star in wrestling history.
He’s got it all – the look, the presence and the hatred for anybody with a dead father.
While the first victims of his warm-necked vitriol are only Jungle Boy and Wardlow, Christian Cage is certain to move on to some other fatherless AEW Superstars.
Maybe a feud with Bryan Danielson could be in his future, mocking the 2014 passing of his late-father Buddy. Or maybe they can play on the idea of a father figure, and he can mock Darby Allin’s uncle (the inspiration for his face paint, no less.).
Is what Christian Cage is saying to these wrestlers horrific? Yes, it is the worst.
There’s no justification. It’s awful. What a horrible man.
But you look at a man who wrestles in a sleeveless turtleneck, and tell him to stop.
You can’t. It’s simply impossible.
I’ve never been a “peep” before. Christian was always fine. He was never the best, but a solid midcarder.
Give Turtleneck, dad-killing Christian Cage all the belts.