System of a Down’s Daron Malakian Names His Favorite Wrestlers

System of a Down’s Daron Malakian Names His Favorite Wrestlers

YouTube: Ernie Ball / Brian Bradley

System of a Down’s Daron Malakian is a massive wrestling fan. On a new episode of Talk Is Jericho, the guitarist and singer shouted out some of his favorite wrestlers, both from WWE and AEW.

Malakian wore a ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm shirt while talking with Chris Jericho. He bought the merch during Storm’s masterful feud with Mariah May, specifically when Toni revealed her bout with “amnesia” was all an act.

“I love her character. I think it’s unique, that’s why I’m repping her right now,” Malakian said. “That day when [Mariah] was walking out of the ring and on the mic, [Toni] turned around and she says, ‘You think I forgot who I am?’ I got goosebumps, bro. I was like ‘yes!’ I went online and I bought this t-shirt. I am now a fan.”

Malakian also named Swerve Strickland, MJF and Will Ospreay as three of his AEW favorites, while also giving respect to Gunther and Chad Gable in WWE.

As for classic wrestlers, Malakian’s all-time favorite is George ‘The Animal’ Steele. Malakian was captivated by Steele’s believability growing up, which the guitarist says is Toni Storm’s strength today.

“Wrestling, to me, brings art and sport together in a way,” Malakian explained. “You create this character and that’s art, and what they’re doing is athletic and there’s nothing else in the world like it.”

Addicted to the Violence, the new album from Malakian’s band Scars on Broadway, is out now. Check out the musician’s full interview with Jericho below.

5 Greatest Feuds in AEW History

"It was so unique and so personal," Swerve Strickland said about his blood feud with Hangman Adam Page. "It got so personal because it wasn't just two wrestlers, it's two human beings, and crossing the line of men. How far you're willing to go to push those buttons of someone that you truly hate? Why are you hating them? What are you going to do about it?"

"It's that hatred that actually brings out the best in the product of what AEW is, in my opinion. People get uncomfortable because we pushed the line so far." 

Throughout its short lifespan, AEW has created some of the most iconic and vicious feuds in pro wrestling history. A brand that isn't afraid to turn the violence up to sickening heights, AEW has allowed its rivalries to escalate to Tarantino levels, solidifying stars like MJF and Toni Storm in the process.

Some of these rivalries were simply to prove who exactly was the best in the world inside the ring, while others devolved into deeply personal wars based on hatred and the thirst for revenge. Regardless of intention, these are the five greatest feuds in AEW history.

Gallery Credit: AEW

10 Most Emotional Returns After Career-Threatening Injuries

Mick Foley famously said that wrestling isn't about how many great matches you have... it's how many classic moments you can create. Few moments in pro wrestling can compare to a return after injury, especially when that injury threatens to end a top talent's career far too early.

Just think about the moment Edge returned to WWE at the 2020 Royal Rumble. His career had been over for nine years, he'd suffered a serious neck injury that require triple fusion surgery... it was an absolute impossibility for Edge to return, right?

"Once the music hit, and that reaction... I mean, I truly feel like I could have beat King Kong's ass," Edge told ESPN about his 2020 surprise return. "It was all surreal, kind of like a dream sequence, but everything's so focused and hyper-focused that I can't really explain it. But I think when you look at the video of me walking out, I think you see it in my eyes."

Iconic moments like these only come once in a while, but they're unforgettable every time! Check out these incredibly emotional moments when wrestlers returned after suffering career-threatening injuries.

Gallery Credit: WWE / NJPW / AEW / NWA

Filed Under: System of a Down
Categories: AEW, Articles, Music, Rock & Wrestling, Video, WWE
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