Examining Aiden English's Direction, Upside and Long-Term Potential

Seemingly plucked from a bygone era, Aiden English is a mustached gentleman with his dukes at the ready. He has fashioned a character that is one-of-a-kind, a refreshing addition to the menagerie inside the squared circle.

As fun as he and his partner Simon Gotch have been, emulating wrestlers from the late 19th century, English has a rugged road before him. 

The Artiste is good at many aspects of the mat game: ring work, trash-talking, showmanship. But he isn't great at any of them. The group's call-up was a surprise to many.

Despite doubts from some about his and Gotch's potential, WWE recently moved the former NXT tag team champions from the developmental brand to Raw and SmackDown. 

English and his comrade have made it to the finals of the tournament to crown the new No. 1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Vaudevillains now have a date with The Realest Guys in the Room at Payback.

Regardless of the result that night, The Vaudevillains will have started their main roster run with strong momentum in terms of win-loss record.

The company, though, hasn't fully introduced who these throwback grapplers are. Aside from the screen going black and white as they enter, their gimmick hasn't been on display much. That promises to hold English back.

Diving into his character, showing just what makes English such an anachronism, is the ideal way to kick-start his career.

Strengths

In the ring, English is a solid all-around performer.  

He's a good enough athlete to hang in a fast-paced bout. He's both a competent bruiser and technical wrestler. And he infuses enough of his unique gimmick into his offense to set him apart from the roster's more stock grapplers.

His Vaudeville-inspired antics were a big part in why WWE called him and Gotch up from NXT. Their act hasn't been fully explored yet, but it is one with intriguing potential.

It's something for WWE Creative to tinker with, something more run-of-the-mill Superstars don't have going for them. Former WWE writer Court Bauer commented on what the group brings to the division:

Bauer is right. The Vaudevillains are not like anything else on the roster. Their characters offer startling contrasts when juxtaposed with everyone.  

English's acting background and singing ability helps distinguish him, too. He offers officials a set of skills they aren't used to having at their disposals.

Obstacles

English is no small man at 6'3'' and 215 pounds, but he doesn't come off as imposing. His lanky frame makes it hard to buy him as a threat in the ring.

In a world populated by Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Ryback, Big E and other titans, WWE may not be convinced that English belongs.

And as a heel, he's not nearly as convincing as one would hope. There are flashes of nastiness in his game, but it's not at the level that would give him a pit bull aura a la Mad Dog Vachon. 

Snarl and tighten his fists as he might, he just doesn't strike fear while on the prowl.

Not having more overall presence will hurt him as well. He's generally charismatic but not at a top-rung level. When he and Gotch clashed with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady on Thursday's SmackDown, for example, there was a distinct gap in electricity. Amore and Cassady compelled far more.

Lastly, English is better off at Gotch's side. He hasn't looked like he can make an impact as a singles star.

That ties his fate to Gotch. As Viktor is finding out right now with Konnor serving a 60-day suspension, your partner's mistakes bring you down, too.

Long-Term Potential

Expect English and The Vaudevillains to sit higher than The Ascension on the tag team hierarchy. They won't be a forgotten team, but they will struggle to compete for a top spot. Duos like Amore and Cassady, The Usos and Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows will be higher priorities.

English's best bet is that WWE finds some creative uses for his and Gotch's Vaudevillains gimmick.

Credit: WWE.com

It's that gimmick that will define English's ceiling. It will be his ticket to the spotlight by way of its entertainment value and originality, or it will fail to catch on and leave The Artiste sputtering.

Jake Barnett of ProWrestling.net wrote of The Vaudevillains, "I'm not convinced that The Vaudevillians are a gimmick destined for mainstream acceptance."

There is good reason to have that doubt. English and Gotch's act is a bit cartoony and won't fit into cookie-cutter narratives. It's something WWE will have to adapt to for it to really work.

But even should The Vaudevillains get hot at one point, it will be hard for them to build on that. English isn't special as much as he is solid. Championships will likely remain out of his reach.

Instead, hanging around the tag team midcard scene is his destiny.

Be sure to check out previous editions of this ongoing series:

• Bray Wyatt
• Zack Ryder
• Becky Lynch
• Neville