WHAT HAPPENED TO AOP?

AOP, an acronym for Akam and Rezar, was once a dominant force in the world of professional wrestling. The powerhouse duo, known for their intimidating presence and devastating tag team maneuvers, quickly rose through the ranks and became NXT Tag Team Champions. However, their main roster run was marred by injuries, inconsistent booking, and a lack of creative direction. In this article, we delve into the factors that contributed to AOP's downfall and explore what might have been.

1. The Curse of Injuries

Injuries have been the Achilles' heel of AOP's career. Akam suffered a torn pectoral muscle in 2019, sidelining him for several months. Rezar, too, was plagued by injuries, including a torn bicep and a concussion. These setbacks prevented the duo from gaining momentum and establishing themselves as a formidable force on the main roster.

2. Inconsistent Booking: A Recipe for Disaster

WWE's booking of AOP was often haphazard and lacked a clear direction. They were initially presented as unstoppable monsters, but their booking gradually shifted towards comedy. This inconsistency left fans confused and unable to connect with the team. AOP's status as Paul Heyman's clients also seemed to work against them, as they were often overshadowed by Heyman's other high-profile clients.

3. Lack of Creative Direction: The Final Nail in the Coffin

AOP's creative direction was often lacking, and they were rarely given meaningful storylines or character development. This made them one-dimensional and prevented them from engaging with the audience on a deeper level. WWE's failure to capitalize on AOP's unique attributes and create compelling narratives ultimately led to their downfall.

4. The Missed Opportunities: A Tale of What Could Have Been

AOP had the potential to be a dominant force in WWE, but their main roster run was plagued by missed opportunities. They could have been positioned as legitimate contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championships or even been involved in a high-profile feud with a top team like The New Day. However, WWE failed to capitalize on these opportunities, and AOP's potential was left unfulfilled.

5. The Aftermath: Where Are They Now?

After their release from WWE in 2020, Akam and Rezar have been competing on the independent circuit. They have also made sporadic appearances in other wrestling promotions, such as Impact Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. While they have shown glimpses of their former glory, they have yet to recapture the same level of success they achieved in NXT.

Conclusion

AOP's downfall is a cautionary tale of how injuries, inconsistent booking, and a lack of creative direction can derail even the most promising careers. With their impressive size, strength, and athleticism, AOP had the potential to become one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history. However, a combination of unfortunate circumstances and poor decision-making by WWE ultimately led to their demise.

FAQs

1. Why was AOP released from WWE?

AOP was released from WWE in 2020 as part of the company's budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. What are Akam and Rezar doing now?

Akam and Rezar are currently competing on the independent circuit and have made sporadic appearances in other wrestling promotions.

3. Will AOP ever reunite in WWE?

A reunion between Akam and Rezar in WWE is possible but unlikely, given their release from the company and the fact that they have both moved on to other projects.

4. Who was AOP's manager in WWE?

AOP was managed by Paul Heyman during their time in WWE.

5. What were AOP's accomplishments in NXT?

AOP were NXT Tag Team Champions once and also competed in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.