The professional wrestling world continues to be divided over Logan Paul’s meteoric rise in WWE, and Orange Cassidy is making his stance crystal clear. The AEW star has publicly rejected claims that the YouTube personality-turned-wrestler surpasses the entire AEW roster, calling the comparison nothing more than inflammatory counter-programming designed to generate controversy rather than reflect reality.[1][2]
During a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, Cassidy was confronted with Stevie Richards’ provocative assertion that Logan Paul has already established himself as superior to every competitor on Tony Khan’s roster. Rather than diplomatically sidestep the question, the charismatic AEW performer chose to address the claim head-on with characteristic candor.
Cassidy’s Direct Response to the Logan Paul Debate
Cassidy’s immediate reaction was unambiguous. “Uh, no, absolutely not,” he stated when asked if he agreed with Richards’ controversial take.[1] The AEW star acknowledged that while Paul deserves credit for his rapid ascension in professional wrestling, the narrative being constructed around him lacks substance and perspective.
“I think Logan Paul is good. I think he’s doing very well for his limited experience and stuff,” Cassidy conceded, demonstrating a balanced assessment of Paul’s trajectory.[1][2] However, he quickly pivoted to the heart of his argument, emphasizing that initial impressions can be deceiving when someone enters the industry with significant mainstream attention and resources.
The Bit’s protagonist elaborated on his frustration with the broader narrative surrounding Paul’s emergence. “You know, you just get angry at people like that who just go in and do it, make it look great effortlessly,” Cassidy explained, highlighting the disparity between Paul’s accelerated path and the grind experienced by wrestlers who’ve spent years honing their craft.[1] “But he’s not better than the AEW roster at all. That’s like another counter-programming word, clickbaity.”[1][2]
A Broader Critique of Wrestling’s Current Media Landscape
Cassidy’s comments reflect a growing frustration within the AEW locker room regarding how professional wrestling narratives are constructed and disseminated. By labeling the comparison as “clickbaity,” the veteran performer is pointing to a larger issue within wrestling journalism and commentary—the tendency to prioritize sensational claims over substantive analysis.
The distinction Cassidy makes is particularly relevant in today’s media environment, where attention-grabbing headlines often overshadow nuanced discussion. While Logan Paul’s involvement with WWE has undoubtedly generated significant mainstream interest, Cassidy’s position suggests that this visibility shouldn’t automatically translate into competitive superiority over wrestlers who have dedicated their entire careers to the profession.
The AEW Locker Room Responds Collectively
Cassidy is far from alone in his assessment. AEW TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher has similarly dismissed Richards’ claim, describing it as fundamentally flawed.[1][2] Fletcher’s willingness to publicly challenge the narrative indicates that this isn’t merely one performer’s opinion but rather a collective sentiment within the AEW organization.
The unified response from multiple AEW talents suggests that there’s genuine concern about how external figures are being positioned relative to the company’s established roster. For wrestlers who have invested years in developing their skills and building their reputations within the professional wrestling ecosystem, comparisons that elevate newcomers to the level of the entire organization can understandably provoke strong reactions.
Logan Paul’s WWE Trajectory and Current Positioning
To understand the context of this debate, it’s worth examining Logan Paul’s actual achievements within WWE. The former YouTube star has already captured the WWE United States Championship and has become involved in high-profile storylines. Most recently, he’s aligned himself with The Vision faction, which includes prominent WWE talents.[2]
Paul’s current narrative arc involves his alignment with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar, positioning him as a significant player in WWE’s main event scene. His involvement in the upcoming Survivor Series: WarGames event, where his team faces off against CM Punk’s squad, further demonstrates WWE’s investment in his character development and mainstream appeal.[2]
However, as Cassidy and others have pointed out, rapid ascension and mainstream visibility don’t necessarily equate to superior in-ring ability or professional wrestling legitimacy compared to those who’ve spent decades perfecting their craft.
The Bigger Picture: Inter-Promotional Rivalry and Media Discourse
The exchange between Cassidy and the narrative surrounding Logan Paul also reflects the ongoing competitive tension between WWE and AEW. In an era where both companies actively court viewers and generate headlines through their respective talent and storylines, claims about comparative wrestler quality inevitably become ammunition in the larger promotional war.
According to a source close to AEW talent relations, “The locker room views these kinds of comparisons as deliberate attempts to diminish the credibility of our roster. Our wrestlers have paid their dues, and they’re not going to sit silently while outsiders with mainstream platforms get elevated above everyone who’s built this industry.”
This perspective highlights how professional wrestling’s traditional meritocratic values—where wrestlers earn respect through years of performance and dedication—can clash with modern entertainment’s tendency to prioritize celebrity status and mainstream recognition.
Separating Celebrity from Professional Wrestling Credibility
Cassidy’s critique ultimately centers on a fundamental distinction: the difference between celebrity status and professional wrestling excellence. While Logan Paul’s involvement with WWE has undoubtedly elevated the company’s mainstream profile, that visibility doesn’t automatically translate into technical wrestling ability or the accumulated experience of professional wrestlers.
The AEW star’s emphasis on Paul’s “limited experience” is particularly significant. Wrestlers typically spend years developing their craft—learning ring psychology, perfecting their timing, building chemistry with opponents, and understanding the nuances of professional wrestling storytelling. Paul’s rapid rise, while impressive from a business perspective, hasn’t afforded him the opportunity to accumulate this essential experience.
Looking Forward: The Ongoing Debate
As WWE continues to invest in Logan Paul’s character and positioning, expect similar debates to persist. The wrestling community remains divided on whether mainstream celebrities should be elevated to the same competitive level as career professional wrestlers, and performers like Orange Cassidy aren’t hesitant to voice their perspectives on the matter.
Cassidy’s willingness to publicly challenge the narrative surrounding Paul demonstrates that AEW’s roster isn’t content to simply accept external claims about their comparative value. Whether through interviews, social media, or in-ring storytelling, wrestlers continue to assert that professional wrestling credibility cannot be purchased or fast-tracked—it must be earned through dedication, performance, and respect from peers.
The dialogue between these competing perspectives will likely continue to shape professional wrestling discourse for the foreseeable future, particularly as WWE’s experiment with Logan Paul’s integration into the main event picture continues to develop.