Orange Cassidy has built one of professional wrestling’s most recognizable personas around doing as little as possible. From his relaxed posture and minimal movement to his hands-in-pockets offense, Cassidy’s presentation has long made lethargy part of the act. But when discussing the way he gets ready for major matches, the former AEW International Champion revealed that his real pre-match approach remains very much in line with the character fans see on television.
Speaking with Catch Club, Cassidy described a deliberately low-key process centered on rest, a little physical maintenance and deciding which pair of jeans will make the trip to the show.
“I like to sleep a lot, maybe do a little stretching, see which pair of my denim jeans are dirty or not, throw those in my bag, maybe throw on some like Dua Lipa or something to kind of like get the blood flowing. But then I’d really just take it easy. Just kind of lay around, you know.”
It is a response that fits Cassidy perfectly. The routine does not sound like a conventional image of an athlete preparing for high-pressure competition, particularly in a sport where performers often speak about intense training sessions, detailed scouting and heightened focus before major events. Cassidy instead framed sleep, comfort and a laid-back state of mind as the foundation of his preparation.
For more background on this topic, read Jon Moxley Documentary ‘I FOUGHT JON MOXLEY’ Set for October 13 Premiere.
That does not mean the relaxed approach should be confused with a lack of ability or a lack of competitive urgency. Cassidy’s AEW career has repeatedly been shaped by the contrast between his casual demeanor and the level he reaches when a match demands it. His presentation encourages opponents and viewers alike to underestimate him. Once the pace rises and the stakes become clear, however, Cassidy has consistently shown he can absorb punishment, work at a punishing pace and deliver in long, physically demanding contests.
A Character Built Around Doing Less
For Cassidy, the details in his answer matter because they are central to the identity that has made him stand out. Denim jeans are not merely ring gear; they are a defining visual element of his character. The slow movements, the sunglasses and the apparent refusal to expend unnecessary energy have all helped establish a persona unlike the more traditionally intense wrestlers around him.
His comments also underline the appeal of that persona. Cassidy’s style is not based on loudly declaring himself the toughest competitor in the room. It is built on understatement. Even when talking about a big match, he does not present an elaborate motivational speech or a dramatic ritual. He mentions sleep, stretching, music, laundry decisions and lying around.
That dry simplicity has been a consistent part of Cassidy’s connection with AEW audiences. The humor in his work often comes from how far he is willing to take the appearance of indifference, whether that means moving at a crawl, offering minimal-effort kicks or treating an opponent’s aggression with a shrug. Yet the joke works because there is always a credible wrestler underneath it. When Cassidy decides to engage fully, the audience understands that the situation has changed.
The balance between comedy, character work and high-level wrestling has been one of the most important elements of his run. A performer with Cassidy’s presentation needs to be able to transition from lighthearted material into meaningful competition without losing the crowd. His biggest bouts have demonstrated that he can make that switch, often using the exhaustion and damage he accumulates during a match to give added weight to the moments when his laid-back exterior finally breaks.
Rest, Music and Keeping Things Simple
Cassidy did include a couple of familiar pre-performance staples in his answer. Stretching is a practical part of getting ready for physical activity, while music can help establish a preferred mood before stepping through the curtain. His choice of Dua Lipa, however, was delivered with the same casual tone as the rest of the routine.
The larger message was clear: Cassidy prefers not to overcomplicate the hours before an important match. Rather than describing a process designed to build visible intensity, he talked about conserving energy and staying comfortable. For a character whose entire philosophy seems to be avoiding effort unless it is absolutely necessary, that approach is entirely on brand.
There is also a difference between appearing calm and being unprepared. Cassidy’s answer was humorous, but the demands of AEW competition remain significant. Major singles matches can require speed, timing, endurance and the ability to adjust to an opponent in front of a live audience. The former International Champion’s body of work has made clear that he is capable of meeting those demands. His preferred method simply does not involve making a spectacle out of the preparation.
In that sense, the routine mirrors the way Cassidy often structures a match. He may begin with deliberately low-energy antics that frustrate an opponent or invite a reaction from the crowd. As the contest develops, the pace changes. The small gestures give way to urgency, and the wrestler who seemed content to avoid exertion becomes someone willing to endure a tremendous amount in pursuit of victory.
The Former International Champion’s Competitive Edge
Cassidy’s time as AEW International Champion remains an important part of understanding why fans take his big-match performances seriously. Holding a championship changes the expectations placed on any wrestler, particularly when the title is defended against a broad range of opponents and styles. Cassidy carried that responsibility while preserving the personality that made him popular in the first place.
His success has never depended on abandoning the gimmick. Instead, it has come from proving that the gimmick can hold up in serious situations. The hands-in-pockets offense, the slow kicks and the nonchalant reactions are part of the package, but they do not prevent Cassidy from wrestling with urgency when the moment calls for it. If anything, they make those shifts more impactful. An opponent may expect a joke and find themselves in a fight.
That is why even a playful answer about naps and jeans offers a useful look at Cassidy’s approach. He is not trying to manufacture the image of a conventional big-game athlete. The image of Orange Cassidy has always been different. He is most effective when he seems completely unbothered by the pressure around him, only to reveal that his calmness is not the same as weakness.
His preparation, at least as he described it, is an extension of that confidence. Sleeping a lot, doing some stretching, selecting denim and listening to music may not sound dramatic. But Cassidy has never needed dramatic presentation away from the ring to make an impact inside it.
Why the Routine Fits Orange Cassidy
Professional wrestling thrives on distinctive personalities, and Cassidy’s commitment to his particular style has helped make him one of AEW’s most identifiable performers. The character can generate laughs in seconds, but it can also generate genuine concern when he is pushed beyond his limits. Fans have seen both versions: the wrestler who barely seems willing to stand up, and the competitor who refuses to stay down once a major match becomes a battle of endurance.
That versatility gives Cassidy’s comments added context. His easygoing routine is funny because it is exactly what audiences would expect him to say. It is also believable because he has spent years presenting himself as someone who values doing only what is necessary. If taking it easy helps him arrive fresh for a demanding match, then it follows the same logic that guides his in-ring character.
For Cassidy, a huge match apparently does not require a grand declaration or a dramatic change in personality. It calls for rest, a little stretching, the right jeans and some music. Then, when it is time to compete, he can let the match itself show the level of effort he was saving.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.