Examining Aiden English's Strengths, Weaknesses and Long-Term Potential

His peers emit roars and promises before battle, but Aiden English, NXT's resident thespian, songbird and artiste, begins each bout with a song.

English has all the charisma and stage presence one needs to succeed in WWE. His stock of physical gifts are less plentiful, though, limiting his options once he reaches the main roster.

So many of WWE's warriors and monsters preceded their wrestling career with stints in football or bodybuilding. For English, his journey began on the stage.

He has been acting since he was a boy. English tells Byron Saxton of WWE.com, "I was cast in a role as 'Dying Child 3' in a run of 'Les Miserables' when I was 5 years old." 

That experience comes through in his act on NXT as a snooty, scarf-wearing singer/wrestler. The gimmick and English's adeptness in playing that role is the driving force of his success.

Strengths

English's gimmick is fun, and it will get him noticed right away.

It's a character that makes good use of his theater background. Dancing has comprised much of WWE's history, but singing less so. English's shtick will afford him opportunities that his ring work alone wouldn't.

With as much as English has worked in theater, it's no surprise that he is so comfortable on stage.

While many Superstars come off as trying too hard or are overwhelmed by the spotlight, English is a natural in front of the camera. That results in confident, entertaining performances.

Once he puts down the microphone, acting is still one of English's best assets in the ring.

Selling one's opponents' offense is a difficult art. Do it too little and the moves lose their meaning. Do it too much and one begins to look like a rodeo clown goofing around.

English delivers the balance between those extremes. 

In a match against Bray Wyatt from 2012, he sold especially well. When Wyatt attacked, English's neck wobbled. He wore a dazed look, and his body contorted as if he was in a car wreck rather than a wrestling match.

That adds to the realism and entertainment value of his bouts.

Power is his other main in-ring skill. He may not have Ryback's bulking build, but he can toss his opponents around rather impressively.

Suplexes, for example, are convincing in his hands, as he sends his foes crashing to the mat with great impact.

The biggest concern WWE officials will have with him is that he looks far less powerful than he actually is.

Weaknesses

Appearances are vital in WWE, which unfortunately makes the scouting process a superficial one at times. Kassius Ohno found out just how much WWE values one's physique.

For English, it's not an issue of height (he's 6'3'', per WWE.com) or a lack of definition. He has worked to become far more muscular, but he still doesn't have an intimidating build.

Credit: WWE.com

If WWE believes fans will view him as a bottom feeder and perennial loser, then it will use him in that way. A part of why Roman Reigns is shooting ahead of his teammates from The Shield is that he looks the part of a larger-than-life warrior more than Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

After Reigns' impressive Survivor Series performance, Jim Ross noted that he had "transformed his former nose tackle body into a more healthy, appealing and more marketable one."

That's where English is behind his peers. His physique isn't as marketable as others around him. Whether it is Alexander Rusev's massive frame or Adrian Neville's chiseled look, his fellow NXTers' bodies are more fit for the comic-book world of WWE.

English is not an elite athlete, either.

He's quick, agile and smooth in the ring, but not to the extent that NXT's top talents are. As much as he has improved and grown as an in-ring storyteller, athleticism, as the saying goes, can't be taught.

When English took on Colin Cassady back when NXT was FCW, he looked good in the ring but didn't wow the same way that Sami Zayn or Mojo Rawley do now.

His movements aren't as fluid or electric as NXT's best.

In a more recent match, against Rob Van Dam, English shows off more of an ability to integrate his category into his wrestling, but his athleticism is still non-stellar. It's not something one can really work on. Men like Brock Lesnar were just born athletic freaks, and English is not among that group.

For that reason, don't count on English delivering a stack of classic bouts. His skills outside of the ring are going to determine his fate to a larger degree.

Long-Term Potential

With as many top-notch in-ring performers as WWE employs, it will be tough for English to move past the midcard.

His unique gimmick, acting chops and stage presence make him a valuable commodity, though. Perhaps WWE puts him in a role similar to what Bad News Barrett does at the moment. His other options are to play the constant victim to bigger predators or to serve as a manager.

The latter is where his greatest ceiling lies.

He has shown he can entertain as a narcissistic "drama king," and that translates well to a sidekick role, carrying the acting burden for a more physically gifted but less charismatic Superstar. That also allows him to brawl and grapple in limited bursts.

English isn't the kind of wrestler to produce five-star main event bouts, but he can certainly knock around a few heads in between verses.

He may be unhappy to hear WWE tell him that he's not world champion material, but as an actor, he knows better than anyone that there are no small parts. Whether he is a manager, a second banana or midcarder, expect English to treat it like the lead role. 

Be sure to check out previous installments in this ongoing series:

• Adrian Neville   
• Bo Dallas  
• CJ Parker
• Paige