Everybody likes Paul Rudd. Whether he’s starring in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, in cinemas February 16 across the Middle East, or he’s reaching new levels of affability on a chat show, Paul Rudd has made a career out of being one of the most genuine and kind people in Hollywood–as well as one of the funniest.
But perhaps no one likes Paul Rudd as much as AEW wrestler and All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy, the 38-year-old star whose real name is James Clipperly, whose extremely popular wrestling character was inspired by Paul Rudd’s character in the 2001 cult comedy classic Wet Hot American Summer, in which Rudd plays Andy, the man who seems to base his personality on being too cool for everything around him.
Orange Cassidy, genuinely one of the more gifted wrestlers in the business, first started going viral even outside the wrestling world not from his acrobatic work in the Chikara promotion, but for his nonchalant character who is too disinterested at times to attack with anything more than a slight tap, who gives half a thumbs up and rarely talks, who struggles with motivation. The character has grown and changed of course as he has soared in popularity, becoming far more than a comedy sideshow, but the antics remain a central part of the character’s charm, with Paul Rudd to thank.
Heck, he even comes out to the song “Jane” by Jefferson Starship now, after All Elite Wrestling owner and booker Tony Khan was able to secure the rights.
Word, however, had not travelled to Rudd, until I myself told him this evening about Cassidy.
“Are you aware that there’s a wrestler who is based his entire character on you in Wet Hot American Summer?” I asked Rudd to start our Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania interview, showing him a photo of the freshly squeezed one.
“No!” he said with shock on his face.
“That’s amazing. How did I not know this? Thank you for telling me.”
“You need to know this,” I responded.
“I do!”
I encouraged Rudd to look into it more, so we can only hope that Rudd will be making an appearance in AEW soon.
How about it, TK?
Read my full interview about Ant-Man and the Wasp tomorrow on the site. Have a good night everyone!
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is in cinemas February 16 across the Middle East
All Elite Wrestling is available only on Starzplay Arabia in the Middle East