Stokely Hathaway Discusses Highlighting Black Culture On AEW Television

AEW

An AEW star has discussed highlighting black culture on All Elite Wrestling television.

At Double Or Nothing 2022, Stokely Hathaway signed with AEW and quickly aligned with TBS Champion Jade Cargill.

Since then, Hathaway has become one of the most prominent managers in all of wrestling, representing W.Morrissey, Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty, Austin and Colten Gunn with The Firm stable.

Besides his amazing gift of gap, Stokes has made a mark by often making references to black culture and pop culture in promos and social media posts.

Speaking to The Root, the AEW star opened up on how he wants to represent black culture while appealing to the AEW demographic.

He said:

“I try to appeal to everyone but obviously I’m Black. I love Black culture, as I should, [and] I wouldn’t change who I am, what I love, for the world,” he said. “When I first got into this, my goal was to have other people who look like me go, ‘Oh, I can do this too.’ Not to necessarily be a manager, but whatever they want to do, right? I’m on national television, twice a week and hopefully some kid who looks like me or who can identify with what I do, they can hear the references, they can watch the promos, and they go, ‘Oh, that’s cool, he’s appealing to me. Maybe I can do this too.’ So it may sound crazy but that’s been my goal.”

Hathaway continued on to explain how he feels some of the stuff he says goes over the fans’ heads, saying:

“The other interesting part of that is honestly some of what I say may fly over people’s heads, so it’s been kind of a struggle to appease both worlds. Obviously, I want to keep doing what I’m doing, but AEW’s demographic is a little different. It’s me trying to blend in so many things and so many demographics and just trying to make it work. I don’t think I’m there yet but obviously, that’s a challenge. And people like me look forward to those challenges and just trying to make it work to where, even if you aren’t Black, you can go, ‘Oh, I know what he’s talking about. I get it. That’s funny.’”

Stokely Hathaway recently appeared at GCW Fight Club alongside W. Morrissey to attack AEW World Champion Jon Moxley on behalf of MJF.

Hathaway and MJF handpicked every member of The Firm ahead of Friedman’s return at All Out.

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• black culture
• television
• Stokely Hathaway
• AEW

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