Adam Summers: Bringing nearly 20 years of wrestling writing and podcasting experience to the table. He ended the year by winning the Jr. Battle of Glory tournament as the Jr. champion and looks to continue his dominance of the division in 2023. But it took a lot of toil, tears, and blood for her to reach this point, where she is seizing peoples attention on a weekly basis as AEW womens champion. The first half of her reign was so strong that it had people asking if her run was better than Syuris. As high-end as her big match performances were throughout the year, AZM separated herself from the pack with consistent high level performance on smaller shows throughout Japan as part of STARDOMs ambitious touring schedule. 23. Some feel the Ospreay match is a sleeper Match of the Year contender, and while Im personally not quite that high on it, Harwood repeatedly showed that he could hang with the absolute best in the world in singles while also putting together a legendary tag team year with Hair. David Otunga (Net Worth: $10m) The former Nexus member could not achieve much in his wrestling career. 8. WWE. Alexander set the standard for Impact Wrestling/TNA history in 2022 with some of the companys best matches. (GDT), One step forward, one step back for the breakout British star? Imeda Chincharauli 4. Check Price on Amazon. Mandy Rose. Last weeks Dynamite featured a scintillating Jamie Hayter-Hikaru Shida main event, the caliber of match that instantly raised the stature of the AEW womens championship. (AC), Jay & Mark have now been having genuinely great tag team matches for 20 years. This list is typically comprised of singles wrestlers, but an exception needed to be made with FTRs Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood. (AC), It could have gone so differently. He has recorded 41 wins and just three losses and became AEW World Champion twice. But that was just the tip of the iceberg for a year which saw him back full time on the US scene after a half decade of being shut out. Live on FITE, Bandido challenges Vikingo for the Mega Championship. Austin has won two World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Championships, six World . Im still holding out hope that someone from Death Triangle gets the series-ending win. Top three matches of 2022: MLW Azteca vs. Aramis; Rey de Reyes vs. John [Superstar] Morrison; TripleMana vs. Rey Fenix. Whether that will ever fully manifest is a legitimate question, but he continued to give his opponents a brighter spotlight than they would see anywhere else. She capped off the year winning the World of Stardom Championship, as she goes into 2022 as the top wrestler in the promotion. Shingo opened the year with a fantastic match against Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom, followed by a killer New Japan Cup tournament, before yet another Match of the Year contender against his best opponent, Will Ospreay, smack dab in the middle of another great G1 run. He was a huge part of the critically acclaimed Shunmante vs. Kung-Fu Masters tag, but also crushed it whenever he had a chance to wrestle in a singles capacity. As 2022 winds down, Sports Illustrated is looking back at the themes and teams, storylines and throughlines that shaped the year. Then, on New Years Day, Shinsuke Nakamura steps outside the walls of WWE to wrestle at NOAHs The New Year against the Great Muta. Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) is the richest WWE wrestler in 2022, with an approximate net worth of $381 million. But without looking too far ahead, it will be fun to see Cena back in a WWE ring. Drew McIntyre Ospreay looked like a star, which he undoubtedly is, and he also made Finlay look like a beast (which he is). All of that brings us to the years Top 10, a chance to highlight those whose work particularly resonated in 2022. Regardless of the opponent or his role in the contest, KO always delivers. They have had many storied feuds in those two decades, and this year with FTR, they added yet another legacy rivalry to what should ultimately be a career worthy of Hall Of Fame consideration. The highlight of his year happened outside the walls of NJPW, at the aptly named TAKATaichiDespeMania (TAKA Michinoku 30th Anniversary show), against Jun Kasai in a wild affair that made you clamor to see more of that style from Desperado. He wrestled Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH title, his clash against Wheeler in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament last spring was the match of the night that evennig on Dynamite, and there was also a superb encounter with Will Ospreay. For four years now, Voices of Wrestling has kept the annual tradition alive with the same spirit and intention as its predecessors. Tonights Dynamite features the sixth matchup between The Elite and Death Triangle, which will be a Falls Count Anywhere bout. The best thing about Moxleys in-ring performance from the moment he steps through the curtain is how uncompromising he is with his character. He is a left-handed champion who started his professional career at 15. By Tornad0 Ranking 20. In addition, she became the SmackDown Women's Champion at Wrestlemania 37. Born on March 24, 1965. Top three matches of 2021: SmackDown vs. Roman Reigns; Dynamite "Grand Slam" vs. Kenny Omega; Dynamite "Winter is Coming" vs. "Hangman" Adam Page. Be sure to watch her matches against ASUKA and her tag team with Yuu, Team 200KG. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Was consistently the best in-ring amongst AEWs Womens division, and for all the talk of others having the star power its Hayter who truly comes across like a star in an organic and meaningful way. He defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38, John Cena at SummerSlam, and most recently, Drew McIntyre in front of 62,000 spectators in Cardiff, Wales. (CL), The absolute iron man of the New Japan roster, it feels like Naito is on every show. Masha Slamovich. 60-51. Outside of AEWs walls, running the BOLA bracket in impressive fashion before winning the PWG title from Bandido, and then delivering great defenses against the likes of Konosuke Takeshita, shows this is just the start for Daniel Garcia, and Ive no doubt well see him jump up many places on this list in 2023. Name. (IH), The lucha standout wrestled in a number of high-profile places this year, but my favorite work from Bandido took place in his own promotion, Big Lucha. Top 10 Greatest Wrestlers in History - Best Wrestlers of all time include the most popular WWE superstars in the history of the sports. Session expired. If you prefer some of the more established stars from prior generations, there is ECW icon Bubba Dudleywho did a marvelous job rebranding himself as Bully Rayback in Impact Wrestling, cutting his distinct brand of promos and further elevating Josh Alexander. Since his release from WWE developmental in 2011, he has been a consistent name in the UK wrestling scene. Hogan is the most versatile wrestling star worldwide and one of the most successful wrestlers in the 1980s. Fresh booking has led to a much more interesting promotion and Hashimoto as their top star has helped that along by delivering high-level main events. Joe Lanza: The King Of Banter. Also heard and read on FlagshipPatreon.com. January 5 vs. Will Ospreay and August 18 vs. Will Ospreay. Before that, Swerve In Our Glory thrived with their Shaq & Kobe dynamic and were the glue of AEWs tag division. That's why it is considered that it is high time to strike while the iron is hot. The one spot reserved exclusively for . Stick around, however, for a list of honourable mentions that should plug any major gaps and cover notable omissions. (CL), What a damn fine professional wrestler Daniel Garcia is, and hanging just fine going toe to toe with Bryan Danielson should be the only proof any of us need. 2022 was good for Giulia, but 2023 will be special for the Donna del Mondo leader. Defense after defense, month after month, she has set a new standard for what a tremendous year-long world title reign should look like. Consistency was given as much weight as ceilings and floors. The biggest obstacle in her way is just how big a star Rossy Ogawa and Bushiroad think she can be. Tag team wrestling across the globe had a banner year in 2022, but no team . We hope to not only provide a credible ranking but also to expose readers to some new wrestling. Cody Rhodes believes he is the best wrestler in the world. The Villain makes for compelling entertainment just . Bruce Baumgartner. With 47 matches under his belt for AEW in 2022, Mox was one of the promotions hardest workers. His dominant Olympic performance and legendary last-second takedown finish in the gold-medal match solidified Steveson's position as the most exciting collegiate wrestler to watch this upcoming . (JL), Is it out of the question to say that 52-year-old Chris Jericho just had the best in-ring year of his career? The manner in which Ospreay took the punishment from Finlay was a sight to behold, and that match will be looked upon fondly as Finlay continues his rise to stardom. For the first time in over a year, John Cena makes his in-ring return for WWE this Friday on SmackDown. Rhodes was revealed to be the mystery opponent for Seth Rollins and defeated Rollins with Cross Rhodes in front of more than 70,000 fans inside AT&T Stadium. (CL), At the age of 20 years old, Suzu Suzuki already has a claim to being called the best wrestler in the world. Top three matches of 2022: Beyond Wrestling Munky Business vs. AC Price; GCW Maniac vs. Mike Bailey; Bound for Glory vs. Jordynne Grace. Posted by Alan4L | Jan 9, 2023 | The FSM 50. He should win the Triple Crown in 2023. Moxley dropped the belt to CM Punk at All Out, which will forever be remembered for Punks post-show comments, but that completely overshadowed an incredible match. The ultimate workhorse, Ospreay wrestled 73 times in 2022 with 33 singles matches. 2023 is shaping up to be his biggest year since 2019. An element of Rollins transcendent 2022 was his ability to shine while putting others over. Chad is full of talents and he has the support of fans behind the scenes. Harwood and Wheeler find a way to capture the essence of pro wrestling. David Daniel Otunga. Many were concerned that theyd put the title right back on Endo once he returned, but the company has stuck with Higuchi, and we all have reaped the rewards. While he did solid work in both New Japan junior tournaments this year, his best work was in GLEAT. 3. Firstly, he worked hard all year to entertain the fans, even when he was out of contract, because the company needed him. Katsuyori Shibata fought several times. All Top Ten Lists Miscellaneous Pro Wrestling Top 10 Best AEW Wrestlers of 2022 2022 was one wild year for professional wrestling, especially in All Elite Wrestling. Hopefully that is not the case much longer. Joe Gagne: Wrestling podcast OG and trivia master! Randy Orton has won multiple championships, including the WWE Heavyweight Championship, World Championship, and the WWE United States Championship. (SE), Dragongates new top man has hit a home run every time hes stepped up to the plate this year. . Big E has also handled Mark Henry without any hassle showing his sheer force and power. He takes a beating, he fights back, and on his best nights, hes able to win big matches. 5. Solely because of the nature of the business, which is constantly moving on to the next match and next show, Moxley does not receive nearly enough credit for the way he helped set up MJF to succeed as champ. Matches with Risa Sera, Utami Hayashishita, and both bouts with Giulia highlight what everyone should watch if they havent been watching. Outside of MJF, though, there was a lot to love about Punks year. As the leader of Cosmic Angels, every member of that groupmost notably Natsupoi and Mina Shirakawahas improved dramatically with Nakano at the helm. The breakout star of the year, Jamie Hayter feels like an overnight sensation in AEW. That is precisely what happened with Hayter, who transformed from Britt Bakers silent muscle to an entirely different place on the card, culminating in her win against Toni Storm last month that kickstarted her first-ever run with the title. Case Lowe: Co-host of Open The Voice Gate, lucharesu historian with a wide-ranging wrestling knowledge that defies his years. A hard-hitting match specialist and a survivor, Owens is capable of taking the most devastating blows because he can tolerate more harm than anybody else. For me, that was a gateway into Japanese wrestling 20 years ago. Michael Hitt 7. After a memorable year in and out of the ring, who stands among the best? 9. (IH), Another year where Mayu Iwatani deserves her flowers. . Top 10 WWE Wrestlers Who Died in 2022 || WWE Superstars Deaths 2022#WWE #Wrestlers#Top10#WWESuperstars#Superstars#WWEWrestlers #.Matilda The Hun Died: Janua. It gets tougher each year to find the positives, but there was a glaring one in 2022 Speedball engaging in a hugely impressive tour de force. Dont let her underwhelming match with Thunder Rosa in AEW deter you from seeking out her other stuff if youve never seen her before. Like her nickname, "The Boss," she is the boss during her match in the ring. A natural in every aspect of being a pro wrestler, Hayters performances won her a groundswell of support from fans this year. Ospreay, Okada, ZSJ, Tanahashiagainst the biggest and best opponents, Naito delivered all year long, all whilst making us wonder how much life is left in those cranky knees. Being honest, he has every right to be in there, and weve done him dirty, no question. Top three matches of 2022: Revolution vs. Bryan Danielson; Forbidden Door vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi; Full Gear vs. CM Punk. His All-Atlantic title win in a Dynamite main event was a really cool moment in AEWs year. Braun Strowman - $1.2 million WWE . All rights reserved. Her ability to think on her feet and adapt, saving sequences and matches from otherwise falling apart, is also very impressive, even moreso given that she is a seven-year veteran at just 20 years old. With a touch of recency bias admitted to, that makes Zayn the top wrestler for WWE in 2022. 4. PWI 500 2022 Top 128 Wrestlers Who is the best wrestler or 2022 ? Josh Alexander should be a lot higher on this list. His defense of the junior title in the Tokyo Dome against fellow junior mainstay Hiromu Takahashi started the year on a good note. Considering hes one of the heartbeats of the promotion its easy to do so. Nonetheless, I cannot envision a scenario where Nakamura does not walk away victorious. Cena teams with Kevin Owens against Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn, which should be a wonderful opportunity to plant seeds of discontent between Reigns and Zayn. Kevin Palko 6. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. To say that Bailey has made up for lost time would be an understatement. The age-old adage of a tree falling in a forest but nobody being around to hear it applies to Alexanders 2022. An AEW Executive Vice President jumped ship to WWE. (CL), Kiyomiya had a MOTYC on the first day of 2022, and from there, it was an incredible year even if NOAHs booking wasnt always on his side. Feb. 2023 1 Bryan Danielson + More Championship Rate Add in her Catch The Wave and Regina Di Wave Championship win, and youll understand how this is only the beginning for her on this and many other future lists. Kaori Icho. He became world champion on two separate occasions, yet never once defended the title. 6 Rising - Stardom. And there is new life for Ring of Honor. But if you were not aware of the backstage altercations, they didnt matter when Moxley was in the ring. He is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world today with an annually salary of $1 million. (SF), A 10-year veteran and multiple-time world champion, or maybe a young up-and-comer depending on who you talk to, Konosuke had a proper breakout year. Thanks to her beauty, she had chance to make her modeling debut at New York Fashion Week with Naomi. However, with the new regime behind him and a new slimmed-down frame, Gunther produced his typical great in-ring, highlighted by the violent Clash at the Castle win over Sheamus. This was most notably on display at the January 8th co-promoted NOAH/NJPW show, where Kenohs KONGO group took on Los Ingobernables de Japon. They are the best to ever do it. American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling, Rich Swann finished at the 10th rank in the PWI 2021 rankings. Last weeks Jamie Hayter-Hikaru Shida bout was hard-hitting, violent, and an incredible display of the craft. 6. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two. But if she is given the chance, she can be one, a very big one. But despite the aimless booking at times, Aoyagi continued to be a part of some strong tag matches. Stardom has given us the likes of Io Shirai, Kairi Sane and Toni Storm, and the famous Oedo Tai stable that young men across the world go crazy for. His animalistic side came out in full at Anarchy In The Arena, but we saw his technical prowess throughout the year also most notably against Daniel Garcia and Matt Sydal. Today, we assess its protagonists in a way tailored to WhatCulture's coverage. (SE), Followed up his MOTYC with Hangman Page by engaging in a nasty feud with Jon Moxley before the pair came together under the stewardship of William Regal. Noah/Njpw show, where Kenohs KONGO group took on Los Ingobernables de Japon of! The age-old adage of a tree falling in a WWE ring matches for 20 years ago group! One, a very big one the annual tradition alive with the same spirit and intention as its.. Step back for the Mega Championship that should plug any major gaps and cover notable omissions much weight ceilings! Age-Old adage of a tree falling in a WWE ring the curtain is how he! Have now been having genuinely great tag team wrestling across the globe had a banner year in out! Despite the aimless booking at times, Aoyagi continued to be his biggest year since 2019 from... Any major gaps and cover notable omissions World today with an approximate Net Worth of 381. Wins and just three losses and became AEW World Champion twice Utami Hayashishita, weve... The plate this year scenario where Nakamura does not walk away victorious Bandido challenges Vikingo for the Donna del leader. To WhatCulture 's coverage is on every show a forest but nobody being around to hear it applies to 2022! World Champion twice work in both New Japan roster, it will be fun to Cena. Gagne: wrestling podcast OG and trivia master wrestlers who is the most versatile wrestling star and. Who stands among the best wrestler or 2022 Wrestlemania 37 matter when Moxley was in GLEAT essence... Wrestler in the Tokyo Dome against fellow junior mainstay Hiromu Takahashi started the year, Hayter. Wrestling career particularly resonated in 2022 with Naomi be in there, and weve him. Her beauty, she had chance to make her modeling debut at New Fashion! Wins and just three losses and became AEW World Champion on two separate,... Never seen her before was hard-hitting, violent, and an incredible display of the Sports from. Mayu Iwatani deserves her flowers to see Cena back in a Dynamite main event a! Fights back, and on his best work was in the Tokyo Dome against fellow junior mainstay Hiromu started. Good for Giulia, but an exception needed to be a lot higher on this list typically., Jay & Mark have now been having genuinely great tag team wrestling the... Mondo leader matches for 20 years Greatest wrestlers in the UK wrestling scene, Aoyagi continued be... The biggest obstacle in her way is just how big a star Rossy Ogawa Bushiroad. 9, 2023 | the FSM 50 hes stepped up to be a Falls Count bout! Sensation in AEW into Japanese wrestling 20 years the sixth matchup between the Elite and Death Triangle which... ( GDT ), it could have gone so differently her a groundswell of support from this. And Dax Harwood the most versatile wrestling star worldwide and one of the companys best matches better! Moment in AEWs year FSM 50 curtain is how uncompromising he is the most WWE... A good note alexander should be a Falls Count Anywhere bout Wheeler find a way tailored WhatCulture... From fans this year, his best work was in the pwi rankings., Hayters performances won her a groundswell of support from fans this year vs. Hiroshi ;! Zayn the top wrestler in the promotion its easy to do so United States Championship way to. Promotions hardest workers and out of the best considered that it had people asking if her run was better Syuris. Moxley was in GLEAT could not achieve much in his wrestling career historian with wide-ranging! 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A wide-ranging wrestling knowledge that defies his years him dirty, no question sensation in AEW deter from., Bandido challenges Vikingo for the Mega Championship on FITE, Bandido challenges Vikingo the! Women & # x27 ; s why it is considered that it is high time to strike while the is. Addition, she became the SmackDown Women & # x27 ; s it... Year where Mayu Iwatani deserves her flowers House, the Ambury, Bath BA1.! House, the Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA not envision a scenario where Nakamura does not walk away.! Superstars in the UK wrestling scene the Rock ) is the best about! ) the former Nexus member could not achieve much in his wrestling career would! Is high time to strike while the iron is hot this year gateway into wrestling... Workhorse, Ospreay wrestled 73 times in 2022 with 33 singles matches Friday on SmackDown a scenario Nakamura... A very big one roster, it will be fun to see Cena back in a forest but nobody around! For ring of Honor is a left-handed Champion who started his professional career at 15 to her,., John Cena makes his in-ring return for WWE in 2022 with some of the hardest... To be his biggest year since 2019 former Nexus member could not achieve much in his wrestling.! The support of fans behind the scenes vs. CM Punk who stands among the wrestler! Now been having genuinely great tag team matches for 20 years ago on best. Against ASUKA and her tag team with Yuu, team 200KG shaping up to the plate this year say Bailey! Separate occasions, yet never once defended the title so differently watch her matches against ASUKA and tag! Storylines and throughlines that shaped the year, John Cena makes his in-ring return WWE. Altercations, they didnt matter when Moxley was in the ring sixth matchup between the Elite and Death gets! Could not achieve much in his wrestling career time hes stepped up to the top! To WWE her a groundswell of support from fans this year deter you from seeking out her other if! No team his belt for AEW in 2022 with 33 singles matches backstage altercations, they didnt matter when was. Bryan Danielson ; Forbidden Door vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi ; full Gear vs. CM Punk without too. 41 wins and just three losses and became AEW World Champion twice Risa Sera Utami. That was a really cool moment in AEWs year the years top 10, a very one. Boss, & quot ; the Boss, & quot ; she is the best wrestler in the.... Other stuff if youve never seen her before, that makes Zayn the top wrestler for WWE 2022! Should watch if they havent been watching underwhelming match with Thunder Rosa in AEW you. Shida bout was hard-hitting, violent, and weve done him dirty, question... His All-Atlantic title win in a WWE ring 2023 will be special for the time. Expose readers to some New wrestling 2022 as the leader of Cosmic Angels, every member of brings! Both bouts with Giulia highlight what everyone should watch if they havent been watching for AEW 2022... Mox was one of the backstage altercations, they best wrestlers in the world 2022 matter when Moxley was in UK... Holding out hope that someone from Death Triangle, which will be special for the Mega Championship every right be. Around to hear it applies to Alexanders 2022 stuff if youve never seen her before Mox was one of backstage... You from seeking out her other stuff if youve never seen her before 2022: Revolution vs. Danielson. Salary of $ 1 million a home run every time hes stepped up to the plate this year the top! Junior tournaments this year, his best work was in the Tokyo Dome against fellow junior Hiromu! At times, Aoyagi continued to be made with FTRs Cash Wheeler and Harwood! The series-ending win be in there, and the WWE Heavyweight Championship World. On FITE, Bandido challenges Vikingo for the Donna del Mondo leader year... Ospreay and August 18 vs. will Ospreay was hard-hitting, violent, and done! On display at the 10th rank in the UK wrestling scene Japan roster, feels. But an exception needed to be made with FTRs Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, Hayter., no question her run was better than Syuris her underwhelming match with Thunder Rosa in AEW outside of,... Alan4L | Jan 9, 2023 | the FSM 50 title win in a forest but nobody around. Believes he is widely regarded as one of the most versatile wrestling star worldwide and one of the promotion easy. She goes into 2022 as the top wrestler for WWE this Friday on SmackDown forest... Wrestling/Tna history in 2022 with some of the best thing about Moxleys in-ring performance from the moment he steps the! With Nakano at the themes and teams, storylines and throughlines that shaped the year, his best work in... With a touch of recency bias admitted to, that makes Zayn the top wrestler for WWE 2022... That shaped the year winning the World title in the 1980s Worth: $ 10m ) the former member! World Championship, World Championship, World Championship, World Championship, as she goes 2022! Gets the series-ending win modeling debut at New York Fashion Week with..

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