With the recent update on the development of AEW: Fight Forever, it has been noted by Kenny Omega that the Roster will feature around 50 superstars from the company’s roster, including names such as Chris Jericho, Nyla Rose, and wrestling legend Owen Hart.
With the integration of Hart’s legacy to sports entertainment being spotlighted in video game form, it does leave to wonder, what could a potential Legends Roster for the game look like?
While current wrestlers have to be prioritized to reflect the real-life product, a good legends roster in a wrestling game can attract the vital casual viewer more than anything.
The game needs to compete with the WWE series to warrant a sequel, and this very well could be an option for AEW if they want to gain attention from old-school wrestling game fans.
While a legends roster would mostly consist of those who’ve made their name outside AEW, their contracted status to the company would give the added privilege to include them in video games, something that should definitely be taken advantage of.
It should be noted this is not official news on the game, but speculation on what Omega and the developers could do to gain extra eyes on the product.
Active Wrestlers for the AEW Legends Roster
While it’s tricky to attach the title of legend to roster members still currently active, it is undeniable that AEW does indeed have stars of the past that, if included, can make for a fun cast of dedicated retro stars that can be put up against the younger talent of the roster.
While graphics have received a mixed reception, it could put the advantage in Yuke’s favor to tweak certain stars to be added as their younger selves via alternate costumes.
With ROH now a property of AEW, classic versions of Samoa Joe and CM Punk could very well be feasible as inclusions. To give an example, here is a compiled image of what a potential legends roster with active wrestlers would look like:
AEW Backstage Personnel / Connections
Beyond the active roster, several producers, coaches, and agents in AEW hold extensive résumés in wrestling, and similar to the Legends contracts that WWE operates with, could feasibly add some more big names to a possible legends roster.
This could be one way in which the new AEW game thrives, especially if it means honoring the longstanding careers of their coaches.
In some cases, like Brian Pillman Jr., it could be possible for his father, the late Pillman Sr., to make an appearance due to the obvious connection they share. Another compiled image of what this could look like would be:
Historic ties to AEW
While these competitors are not currently on the books with AEW, their past connections could warrant a spot as a surprise pick. This could also include guest superstars such as Suzuki or Dreamer, who’ve competed in one-off appearances and matches in the past.
These superstars are the least likely out of everyone here to ever make a game appearance, but if they were to, would make some bit of sense given their histories.
AEW Legends Roster: Final thoughts
Fundamentally, it’ll be impossible for a grand list of names like this to all make appearances in the new AEW Fight Forever game.
However, if it does prove to be a success, and spawn a series thereafter, it could open the door to seeing wrestlers with extensive careers be honored in video game form, especially those you don't often see in the WWE games.
The partnership with the Owen Hart Foundation has set a precedent similar to this and is something that should be expounded upon.
Upcoming news will determine if the future is bright for the game, but for the time being, legends would be a good idea to keep in the back of the mind, especially with the dream matches that can take place in your game because of it.
