Brian Cage had a lot of time to think while he was away from AEW. After multiple injuries and three surgeries, “The Machine” admitted that his long absence made him consider switching things up when he finally returned.
Cage spoke with Diario Kayfabe and False Finish HQ about the mental side of being away from the ring. Instead of only focusing on rehab, he also started thinking about how he could come back in a different way.
“It made me think about possibly changing or evolving my character and my style in the ring a little bit.”
That does not mean Cage lost confidence in what made him stand out. He has always been known for his freaky mix of power, size, and agility, but the time away gave him a chance to think about adding something new to his presentation.
“I was excited about trying to come back in a different way.”
Cage’s absence came after a difficult injury stretch that included a torn quad and multiple surgeries. For a wrestler whose entire brand is built around physical dominance, the time away forced him to sit with his career in a way he normally would not.
Even with those thoughts, Cage said the injuries never made him question whether he would return. He knew he was coming back, even if the path looked different than before.
“I never doubted that I would come back, and it never changed my goals or aspirations.”
That is the important part. Cage may have considered evolving his character and changing parts of his in-ring style, but he never sounded like someone ready to fade away.
Now that he is back, fans may be watching to see whether “The Machine” sticks with what made him famous or brings something new to AEW. Either way, Cage made it clear that the injury layoff did not kill his drive.
What do you think about Brian Cage considering a character and in-ring style change during his AEW absence? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
