Danhausen might be the most intriguing AEW to WWE case study of them all, especially now that things didn’t get off to the best start.
WWE has brought in or brought back a good number of talent from AEW. Most of them were stars or high-profile contributors in Tony Khan’s promotion — CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Aleister Black, Penta and Rey Fenix. Some were underutilized in AEW, such as Royce Keys, Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, Lexis King and Rusev.
But Danhausen simply wasn’t used for some reason despite his ability to move piles and piles of merchandise. Some of that had to do with injury, as Danhausen tore his right pec at Revolution in March of 2023 and had his contract extended because of injury time.
WWE bungled Danhausen’s debut as he emerged from the weeks-teased mystery crate during Elimination Chamber at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday. The 35-year-old got a light cheer as he emerged, little reaction as he made his way to the ring, with a catchy theme blaring, and was booed as he disappeared into the darkness and a puff of smoke. It wasn’t as bad as the Gobbledy Gooker at Survivor Series 1990, but it’s drawing comparisons.