Orange Cassidy

[10.0] "We've yet to see something OC can't do as a wrestler. He's had comedy matches, has entered the chaos of Blood & Guts, and has been involved in some of the best singles matches in AEW hanging with the likes of Will Ospreay, PAC & Jon Moxley. He's likely to never hold the World Championship, but his 31 title defenses as International Champion is a record that will likely never be broken. Do we always get him in peak form? No, but when he's ready to go - he can hold his own with the best of the best, he will be an AEW staple for years to come, and the wrestling industry is better for OC being around."

[4.0] "A comedy gimmick that was personally never funny to me, it neverthless must be pointed out that Orange cassidy did get over and successful which is basically the aim of being a pro wrestler. I cannot understand why he should ever be taken seriously even in the context of kayfabe but as long as theres an audience for it I guess it works. He has had a few average matches and seems to be a good enough guy in terms of moves and other in ring stuff."

[10.0] "Orange Cassidy is very athletic and can mat wrestle as well. Luckily he's a functioning adult with control over his emotions and doesn't have hissy fits when talking heads and fans claim he isn't good. I get that OC's gimmick isn't for everybody. We need more serious gimmicks like R-Truth, Doink the Clown, Nikki Bella, American Alpha's own Akira Tozawa, Chase U, Chelsea Green and some other deep, serious, business only characters that I'm missing. Aside from that, he can sell, he can do high risk, and has done some good chain wrestling when the situation calls for it. Orange Cassidy is for fans appreciative of passion and not posturing."

"It's unbelievable what the "creative" team has done to this dude. His best days were when he was the all atlantic champion, he was respected, he was maintaining his essence but having 5+ star matches. Now this completely unfunny and not a single bit entertaining character is what his haters always called him just "pockets". Now he's just the "Waltz Pockets". Bad for Toni as well. I'm completely disappointed with AEW in this aspect. Are they going to introduce mixed titles or are they doing this just because they don't know what to do with him? Everytime he appears on my screen with Toni my blood starts boiling. They killed a potential star. Shame on you TK."

[9.0] "Some of the thougest guys to rate. Like, I can talk a lot about his AEW time but that would be only five years of his twenty year long run. So, talking for what I SAW, Orange Cassidy is one of the most underrated wrestlers in the business, has a gimmick that nobody does and if you ask someone to do something near close, it will be straight up garbage. He make it looks cool, had an great mid card run with the International Title and some of his matches against dudes like Moxley, Ospreay and ZSJ felt special and legendary for me. Don't see him as a world title level wrestler, never did."

[5.0] "I can give him credit for coming up with a unique gimmick that is entertaining in its own way but that's about it. I have little reason to care about his matches other than that he has an unusual gimmick. I can't be fully interested if it doesn't matter to me whether he wins or loses within the contexts of the storylines."

[5.0] "I'm mixed Orange Cassidy. On one hand, he's a solid wrestler with a basic gimmick that's fun, but on the other hand, he lets the gimmick he represented in his matches way too much. Also, is it me or is he one of the indestructible wrestlers in AEW history? I mean, you can't keep this guy down half the time"

[1.0] "I find that James Cipperly's character does absolutely nothing for me. I find it to be a one-dimensional joke & that he fails to deliver any kind of well planned entertainment, which is a weird trap to fall into as a character centric worker. What's his ring work like, though? Well, he's very fit. However, he's not very muscular at all & when he lands moves on people, they often don't look like they'd hurt very much. It doesn't help that he's often booked to beat people significantly larger than him, making them seem foolish through the process. I have lots of comedy wrestlers I like, but sometimes, in this business, you are best served by stopping joking around & getting serious. James Cipperly's character duly limits his abilities to grow & get better."

[10.0] "When you are talking about character / gimmick mastery, the Elite Class includes "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, "The Real American" Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "The Deadman" The Undertaker, "The Bad Guy" Razor Ramon, "The Bizzare One" Goldust, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, "Cactus Jack" and "Mankind" Mick Foley, Crow Sting, "The Great One" The Rock, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, Joker Sting, The "Broken" Hardys, "The Man" Becky Lynch, "Le Champion" Chris Jericho, "Timeless" Toni Storm, is "Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy."

[6.0] "Orange Cassidy's stock has been declining for a good while. He can still wrestle a good match but is nowhere near as appealing as he once was in 2023. I hope we get that version of him back soon or he may just need a change."

[3.0] "i feel like the only person alive that does not like this man. his gimmick is boring, overdone, and unfunny. and don't get me wrong, i love gimmicks! just not this one on this guy. every time he goes to put his hands in his pockets, i want to rip them off of his arms. he makes me unspeakably angry. i would maybe like the gimmick on someone else, but i simply do not like this man. and he isn't even orange?"

[9.0] "He puts a smile on my face all the time. Not only that I get to hear pixies (top 5 band btw) every week because of him. He's funny, he can wrestle...and not care"

[9.0] "The best TV wrestler of all time. Ever since OC's International title reign he has done nothing but put on absolute classics on dynamite and collision. Anyone who says he does the "hand in the pocket thing too much" is simply someone who has never watched his matches. For most of these matches OC is working his a** off and absolutely deserves more respect in the IWC"

[8.0] "The guy is an enigma. Simple as that. He's just fun and always a joy to watch. He also knows when to get serious and has put on some truly incredible matches including his matches against PAC, Ospreay, Moxley, Shibata, his triple threat with Omega and Pac, etc. I also love 'Where Is My Mind' for his theme. He's the type of wrestler that won't be given his flowers until he retires. Overall just a great wrestler that exceeds any role he's given through main events, midcard, tag, trios, stipulation. Orange Cassidy is cool."

[0.0] "This will be my first 0 on the site. For me, Orange Cassidy has one of the worst gimmicks ever, to the point of making any of his matches unwatchable. Every time he's in the ring, it's a sign of something boring, unconvincing, and unfunny, and often even insulting to pro wrestling its about to happen. For me, the biggest problem is the way he's booked, constantly involved in matches with relevant and important names, when his entire character should be limited to being a jobber, and at the very best, an irrelevant mid-card performer. It's insulting to me that this "clown" character has already had several competitive matches against Moxley, Wardlow, Adam Page, ZSJ, Swerve, and Ospreay. It's the same as Goldust having competitive matches against The Rock, HHH, Undertaker, Stone Cold - LOL. Is he competent enough to do that? Yes, but it makes 0 sense to the carachter. I think, overall, he's a competent wrestler, with a character that could be useful for some comic relief, but is taken too seriously. TOO MUCH indeed. All respect to the human being behind the wrestler, but as a character, for me, he's one of the worst things we've ever had."

[7.0] "No one can doubt his commitment to the gimmick, and yes, he maybe crosses the line into novelty comedy act. Then again, this is 'rasslin. Don't mind him really and he can certainly go. Took a brutal 20 minute beating from Moxley in dropping the Int title at All Out 23. Must be said that his offence is weak, both his Tornado DDT & Stunner are heavily assisted. The Superhero punch is never anything less than candy arsed. Even for a 400 pounder. Was definitely over used for ages doing the underdog routine weekly and less is maybe more at this point. He's fine in moderation."

[9.0] "Orange Cassidy is fantastic. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. He mixes the comedy aspects in with his actual wrestling skills so well. An ultimate workhorse too. The perception of this guy has been totally screwed by people who don't watch anything outside of 10 second clips."

"A complete embarrassment to professional wrestling. AEW giving him a spot near the top brings down their credibility. Comedy is subjective but I never found this amusing outside his first appearance."

[9.0] "Orange Cassidy is a great mixture of a comedy gimmick and outstanding athleticism when he decides 'he's gonna try'. His International Title run was an outstanding spotlight to his abilities as a performer while remaining impressively consistent with his character work. OC sticks out as 1 of 1, something that becomes harder to do every year the wrestling world progresses."

[8.0] "I mean come on... He's like fresh air in dirty atmosphere, not so much wrestlers can do what he can and he desorves even more, but comic charecter closing him up on some opportunities. Maybe in the future, He's still only 41"

[8.0] "Orange Cassidy is one of the most unique performers of the modern era. What started as a comedy gimmick became a movement -- blending satire with genuinely solid in-ring ability. His "King of Sloth Style" persona might seem like a joke on the surface, but under that denim jacket is a workhorse who consistently delivers on big stages, especially in AEW. His matches against guys like PAC, Will Ospreay, and Jon Moxley showed he can go when it matters. Some fans might not vibe with the gimmick-heavy style, but there's no denying his impact, creativity, and crowd connection. "Freshly Squeezed" isn't just a nickname -- it's a brand."

[0.0] "Cassidy is a comic relief character. Which is fine. But he's treated seriously in AEW. He had an International title run with loads of defenses and challenges twice for the world title. Maybe I'm the one who's not getting it but.... He's a COMEDY Act and should be treated as one. He'd do a good enough job at that. But they actually have him go out there 20 minutes with a lot of the top stars. He's not a good worker in the ring. How am I supposed to take someone seriously as a Main Eventer when they've lost to a guy who wrestles with his hands in his pocket. I really don't get it. Not the wrestling and definitely not the gimmick. He could be fun as a manager or an out of the ring act. But Orange Cassidy should not be a top star, or hell even mid card star in any serious wrestling promotion."

[8.0] "My Rating 8.2 Fire ant is a worker (pun intended). I find Orange Cassidy's gimmick fun at some times but most of the time I feel like it has been over used. I think with his wrestling abilities and physicality he wouldn't really need such a huge gimmick."

[8.0] "Whether or not I enjoy the act, he's insanely over and very talented. Eventually the act will wear thin and he'll have to do something else, but he's killing it in every aspect right now"

[10.0] "I do not enjoy the Orange Cassidy gimmick. But I am capable of understanding that "I do not like it" is not the same as "It is bad." The character's ability to connect with a huge audience is undeniable. But aside that, his skill level as a worker is insane. His matches are super dynamic, and every move he does he does with perfection. Frankly, this is a guilty thought, but I keep hoping he goes back to Fire Ant and we get the Colony on a televised promotion, because I freaking loved the Colony. Ever since I watched his Fire Ant stuff, I've been enamored with the sheer freaking talent he emanates in the ring in every match he's in."

[8.0] "A good solid wrestler who can hang well with great workers, but often falls a bit flat with lesser opponents, even if his comedy repertoire helps there. All time great gimmick that will be remembered for decades. Doesn't talk too much, but can give a decent promo when needed."

[9.0] "Probably the most underrated worker in the industry today. This guy can work with anyone. He is the king of selling. He's second to none at working from underneath and stealing a win believably. He has a decent move set that he could undoubtedly expand a little. He's recently added a little bit of weight and muscle and gotten a little more serious with his gimmick which helps the character as well. To bad he tore his peck and we likely won't see him for another half a year."

[9.0] "One of the absolute best in the world right now. His run with the International Championship was legendary. Fantastic gimmick as well that truly resonates with the millennial spirit, while creating a unique psychology that gives a beautiful variety to every show he's on. Variety is the spice of life. Whether in a comedic match or a 20-minute sprint, Orange Cassidy wrestle, and always is over with the crowd. Always. What's not to love about this guy?"

[9.0] "Orange Cassidy is the workhorse of AEW and is a great product for them. I really enjoy his character work and have been quite invested in the development of his character to be more than just the lazy guy with his hands in his pockets. I most enjoyed his run as International Champion and hope he continues to be a mainstay of AEW. My only gripe is that I think he should get a better finisher rather than the Orange Punch, it feels like after the match he had with Hangman that was the burial of it and now it looks weak. Maybe he could adopt a submission or really just anything better. Still one of my favorite wrestlers."

[5.0] "very gimmicky. his Superman punch is terrible, and he weighs less than many of the lasses, just not a believable move to knock out the people he is fighting. He has had some fun matches though especially the last couple of years in the promotion, or I have gotten more tolerable. Just not a fan of his over-gimmicky, silly stuff he does. not for me. Not good on the mic either but can hide that well with his "gimmick""

[8.0] "Orange Cassidy rules. Lots of people will try to discredit him by going, "Oh! He's too goofy! " "How can I take that crap seriously? " And to that, I ask: Do you remember the Attitude Era? It was filled with unserious gimmicks/acts up and down the card, with even the top guy getting being a drunk Southerner. So no, I don't wanna hear any complaints about the comedic nature of Orange Cassidy, as there's always been a place for funny in wrestling -- and that's the under card. I don't think he should be a main eventer, given the gimmick he's got. But that doesn't mean he can't fill the role like that of a Mankind."

[10.0] "One of my favorite wrestlers to watch. People write him off as a gimmick wrestler, but he always delivers in the ring and connects with the fans. His International title reign (the first one) in my opinion was one of the best title reigns in AEW history. Orange is the real deal."

[8.0] "I'm not a huge fan of comedy wrestling, but I have a lot of respect for Orange Cassidy, I think the guy is great, very entertaining, and brought some unique style and skits to the wrestling television, to a point he became the workhorse of AEW, which is ironic, because his gimmick is supposed to be lazy, he claims to be the king of sloth style, but wrestles more than everyone else. Orange Cassidy's moveset is amazing and he has the ability to put a great match against opponents of every style imaginable, his character has some limitations because of the gimmick choice, but that's who he tries to be and I think it's awesome. OC is a wrestler that I could easily dislike, but I love him, he's probably the wrestler that I like the most from styles that I'm not a huge fan, and that's because his timings are sensational, he walks into a thin line incredibly well, and becomes a legit threat when he wants to. His match structure is generally great, a lot of smart stuff, and he's a hell of an underdog, one of the best underdog babyfaces ever without a doubt."

[9.0] "In my review of Eddie Kingston, I said that the man from Yonkers was a brilliant litmus test on whether you're an actual fan or you prefer to get your takes on wrestling from over-the-hill podcasters. And so it is with Orange Cassidy. Seriously, you can pretty much tell if someone's worth listening to by seeing whether they call him "Pockets". Because, honestly, him being in the single digits on Cornette's Public Enemy List is more sour grapes than anything, because Cornette as a booker could never get somebody as over as OC. The "sloth style" antics never seem to get old, which is a marvel, and it's bolstered by his fiery intensity when the switch flips and he becomes the reluctant hero a story often needs. Just watch the Blood Orange matches against Moxley, his Ospreay match, or the Pac/Kenny matches, and you'll see one of the most impressive workers in the business."

[10.0] "Orange Cassidy is brilliant. His talent explodes late given his age but better late than never. He is a perfect mix of talent in the ring and an excellent gimmick. Since the beginning of AEW the character has been the same and I never get tired of him as he always manages to create exciting situations and incredible rivalries. Under his nonchalant airs, when necessary he can do crazy things and gives his all. His match against Zack Saber Jr demonstrated it, he could have been content to let himself be guided by Zack's genius but no he shone just as much as him and followed the pace and style without problem. The best reign of an international champion. In short, an excellent wrestler and I thank AEW for introducing this nugget to the whole world."

[3.0] "This guy is cheesy af. I can't take him seriously as a wrestler. I prefer not to watch his matches, even against fantastic workers. I find him that irritating. It's not heat either, just total indifference. There are so many great wrestlers out there that deserve a break. Yet somehow someone thought this guy was more deserving. If he focused more on trying to wrestle a good match, and less on gmmick and being funny, then maybe he could be taken a bit more seriously. Some like his schtick, but real old school wrestling he is not. I don't know I'd even call him a wrestler, more like a comic relief."

"Big fan of this guy. His style is fun. F. U. N. Fun. He doesnt show the worlds most athletic moves but certainly has a ton of athleticism to pull of what he does best look silky smooth."

[9.0] "Great worker, all time legendary character, can cut a pretty darn good promo. Versatile as hell, but most impressively has built up this character with one of the most consistent ids in wrestling history, and a great match catalogue to go with it. He connects with the audience incredibly well. If his character isn't for you, fine, but its a lot of pro wrestling fun"

[7.0] "Orange Cassidy's shtick isn't for everybody. That said, he's still a solid talent who has connected with a wider audience as one of the most iconic AEW wrestlers who weren't famous from WWE, TNA, NJPW, etc. He wrestles well, and his weak promo game is forgivable due to his gimmick. There is a lot of things he can do with the current gimmick to avoid being stale, yet Orange Cassidy has had a great run in AEW thus far. At the very least, he's a good midcarder who stands out from the sea of forgettable wrestlers across numerous companies."

[2.0] "Um All I can say that he has dope shades. Another thing is his cool sense of themes. Small as an ant marching one by one. Heraw. Whatever... I guess. Why does he wear jeans? Um. Im not a fan at all, I mean he cannot do the stundog better than Mark Andrews. He seems so over pushed for absolutely no reason whatsoever other than him being cozy with the millionaire boss. Him vs Will Ospreay was his best feud and uhhhhhh yea, he is from wherever, weighting in whatever, meet him at who cares. OC woohoo dont care."

[9.0] "Theres more to Orange Cassidy than just the sunglasses and denim. Beneath those layers of nonchalant coolness lies a true wrestler. A masterful technician, OC can hang with the best of the best and has proven time and time again that he belongs in this business. One of the most favored wrestlers in the AEW roster, he can do it all. He can whoop your ass with his hands in his pockets. With OC, less is more and it speaks volumes for him. To me he is the quintessential babyface of AEW. He is someone the kids could look up to. Isnt afraid to get his hands dirty (or bloody). His first reign as All Atlantic/International champion was legendary. This specific reign helped raise that belt to new heights and gave it a prestige so strong that it elevated the International belt into the second most important title in AEW. Even with that said, he can still be a polarizing figure. Hes not everyones cup of tea and thats okay. This is what pro wrestling is all about. Versatility and variety. Always reliable to kick off a show and fire the crowd up. When his back is against the wall, his intensity is unreal. Honestly, I didnt really understand the guy. I always wondered why people admired him so much. Then it hit me. If you pay close attention, youll see someone that embodies the meaning of pro wrestling. A true entertainer and an excellent hand in the ring. Please check out his matches with Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr. his gimmick might be carefree and aloof, but theres a lot of heart there. Once you peel back the layers, youll really understand."

[10.0] "He's my favorite wrestler, pretty much. I won't lie - I find his in ring work SUPER entertaining, his plights and story arcs compelling, and I admire so much his commitment to character (gimmick) that he adheres to pretty much 24/7. If I could rate higher than a ten, I probably would. Haters just don't like fun."

[9.0] "The incorporation of comedy into Orange Cassidy's character is so warm, fun, and delightful. I love wrestlers who can show us every thing wrestling can be. It can be brutal and bloody, it can be athletic and acrobatic, it can be funny or heart breaking or romantic, it can make you feel anything that any kind of art can make you feel. I have fun every time OC is on tv, he is such an amazing babyface. He is completely underrated in his ability to bring in new fans and how much kids and women like him. A monopoly of american wrestling for 20 years has taught lots of people a very narrow vision of what professional wrestling can be and I think it's refreshing to see something different that doesn't fit what Vince McMahon wanted. Orange's commitment to kayfabe is rivaled only by MJF in the modern game. He wrestles his character, he cuts promo in character, his social media presence, his twitch stream, it's all in character. That tilt a whirl DDT makes me pop every time. His ability to play off of others, the long term story telling. His match against Mox at All Out 2023 is my favorite match I've ever watched. His reigns as International Champion elevated that belt to the level that Mox, Ospreay, and MJF want to hold it. The jansport, the sunglasses, the denim joggers, his hatred of taking a chop, it all builds to a fully realized character. His 20 year+ career has culminated in him headlining PPVs and reliably putting on great matches week after week. A true shame they never put the trios belt on him and the best friends. Made me fall back in love with wrestling and for that I'll be forever grateful."

[8.0] "A workhorse with criminally underrated in ring skill and a hell of an entertainer. In the 5 years of AEW he over 200 matches alog with holding the record for most title defenses in AEW history at 30 defenses. He dosen't do to many promos, and I can see the reasoning for finding his matches boring and formulaic, but I think it's awesome. His matches with Shibata, Ishii, and Jon Moxley are some his best matches in that reign and some of my personal favorites. Not world champion material but still great."

[10.0] "Orange Cassidy is one of the best wrestlers on the planet, one of the very few gems that combines great in ring work with character work, he is one of the most nuanced characters in all of wrestling, with so many different layers, and works every crowd, that is a statement, his many classic matches speak for themselves"

"Orange Cassidy has a corny gimmick that makes me cringe every time he comes on TV. I think the only thing going for him is his theme. Other than that he shouldnt be featured on tv, comedy character or not."

[4.0] "Safe to say Orange Cassidy belonged to the likes of Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano and R-Truth as a comedian wrestler who relies on comic relief to entertain the people and to be frank, we have enough of those already. His goofy character totally killed and ruined the mystique of pro-wrestling in entirety. No doubt his matches are entertaining, but not to the point of being competitive. He somewhat has skills if they managed to make him serious. Just don't like the Orange Punch as one of his signature moves, it felt unrealistic for the guy who is like 5'9 and around 160 lbs. Like hardcore wrestlers, comedian wrestlers are not my thing and therefore receives a low rating for me. His gimmick being aloof and carefree is somewhat unique though, the major problem here is they overindulge his character to the point that he is just becoming a joke. Sadly, OC needs to have a gimmick repackaging if they wanted him to be a serious competitor just like "Scapegoat" Jack Perry in which is a massive character improvement from being a horrendous Jungle Boy. It will be the biggest blunder if they made him a world champion with that persona."

[3.0] "I used to love OC when he was still Fire Ant in CHIKARA. The character, the moveset, The Colony; it was all incredible. But since he focused on being Orange Cassidy he became a joke in my eyes. He makes professional wrestling look like a joke, which I can't respect. It's sad to see someone you used to admire disrespect one of the things you love most in life. The insistence of promoters and fans on him is something I can't understand. But truth be told, he can still be interesting when he at least tries to be serious, which is the only reason my rating isn't 0."

[6.0] "Orange Cassidy is alright, he's capable of putting on a good match and his nonchalant gimmick is incredibly fun. He's the only guy I could say is capable of pulling that off, hands in pockets + tiny kicks is just brilliant and really suits him as a character. BUT... he's just the kind of guy who is only good at being a midcard wrestler, there to make you laugh and go "wow" whenever he does a good move, will not be a main event talent in wrestling."

[9.0] "Always amazing to watch, have loved him since the Fire Ant days! Love his style, and seems an all round good egg."