The VOW 30 Underneath 30 2024: #15-1

Final 12 months, led by the cost of Voices of Wrestling contributor Griffin Peltier, we started a brand new yearly wrestler rating record: The VOW 30 Underneath 30. The 2023 record noticed an knowledgeable panel come collectively to appoint and vote on the highest professional wrestlers underneath the age of 30. This 12 months, we’re again with an all-star panel to create wrestling’s most complete 30 Underneath 30 record for 2024.

Very like the critically acclaimed FSM 50 record, the objective of this record is to be as well-informed and wide-ranging as doable. Our panelists are plugged into varied kinds of wrestling throughout the globe, together with American TV, lucha libre, deathmatch, Joshi wrestling, and every thing in between.

Each wrestler underneath thirty years previous was eligible for this 12 months’s record.

We’ve separated our record into a number of components. That is Half 3. Half 1, that includes Honorable Mentions and all wrestlers who acquired votes, is right here. Half 2, revealing Nos. 30-16 is right here.

With out additional ado, listed here are the 15 greatest wrestlers underneath 30:

#15
Rhea Ripley

Age: 27
Years Lively: 10
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: WWE Ladies’s World Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 2
Final 12 months’s Rating: 8

“Nonetheless one of many few individuals in WWE in a position to command buzz exterior of the wrestling sphere, mega in style and in a position to put within the work to again it up.” – Will Younger

“Ripley is without doubt one of the hottest wrestlers in WWE, which defacto makes her one of the crucial in style wrestlers on the earth. Her recognition stays considerably puzzling although, because it’s unclear if she is in style as a wrestler, or as a intercourse image for WWE followers, as her matches have been fairly bland and lifeless, however her segments are all the time well-received by followers.” – Jesse Collings

“It’s been a jagged 12 months for Ripley: A powerful year-plus title reign as WWE Ladies’s Champion, however most defenses had been in opposition to largely midrange to wholly unspectacular opponents. Second 12 months in a row with a marquee match at WrestleMania, however finally ends up with an harm and he or she’s stripped of her title. She’s undeniably a particular expertise, and WWE understands that with the character of her push, which ought to clearly simply restart as soon as she returns.” – Warren Hayes

#14
Atlantis Jr.

Age: 26
Years Lively: 6
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: World Historic Mild Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 7
Final 12 months’s Rating: NR

“This was an superior 12 months for the luchador in CMLL, and I’m betting he’ll break into the 30 Underneath 30 record this 12 months. I notably loved his work with Soberano Jr. and their long-running feud has the potential to go on for years.” – Warren Hayes

“I discover myself having fun with Altantis Jr.’s work on a week-to-week foundation. At this level, he may need the very best Q Rating of any CMLL within the English talking market exterior of Mistico. That feels justified. It’s thrilling to see a second-generation star thrive like this.” – Case Lowe

“Atlantis Jr. has set the world on fireplace since taking Stuka Jr.’s masks in 2022. He’s all the time dependable and has develop into a mainstay of Friday Enviornment Mexico reveals. Atlantis Jr. has all of the expertise wanted to dwell as much as his father’s title… and even surpass him.” – Griffin Peltier

#13
Toni Storm

Age: 28
Years Lively: 14
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: AEW Ladies’s World Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 3
Final 12 months’s Rating: 12

“On the run of her younger profession, onerous to consider she’s nonetheless in her 20s.” – Will Younger

“A real character in professional wrestling, actually one of many only a few left within the enterprise. Over-the-top gimmicks have largely aged out of the business, and for good purpose as nearly all of them are hokey and terrible. Some individuals undoubtedly really feel that means about Storm, however over the previous 12 months she has lived and breathed the Timeless Toni gimmick, and added lots of spice to AEW’s girls’s division within the course of. She’s additionally been very regular within the ring, regardless of a comparatively lackluster string of opponents, and assisted in serving to Mariah Could get launched to AEW and certain on a path to a significant feud and the title image.” – Jesse Collings

“I really feel like individuals preserve ready for Toni Storm to hit that subsequent gear as a employee, however in the end I don’t suppose that subsequent gear exists. She’s a great wrestler that exists on the cusp of being nice. Her character work is divisive, though I feel she’s tightened up the work the previous few months. However I feel Toni has hit her peak as a strong champion for a US TV promotion.” – Go well with Williams

“The primary downside I had with a great a part of the Timeless Toni stuff is that it obtained in the way in which of Toni’s matches. She is without doubt one of the greatest girls’s wrestlers on the planet and we had been caught watching her do schtick with Japanese Deathmatch Butler Luther, resulting in some bad-to-mid matches, which is unthinkable when you think about that is Toni Storm we’re speaking about. Granted, this has been a showcase for her leisure chops, however the gimmick appears to be loosening its grip and Toni has began to have a return to in-ring kind.” – Warren Hayes

#12
Kyle Fletcher

Age: 25
Years Lively: 10
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: ROH World Tv Champion, ROH World Tag Workforce Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 6
Final 12 months’s Rating: 13

“Whereas Kyle Fletcher has been primarily a tag staff wrestler for a few years as a part of Aussie Open, an harm to Mark Davis final 12 months has given Fletcher the chance to exit on his personal, and he’s undoubtedly proven that he’s obtained the potential to be an enormous singles star down the road. He hasn’t had the best win/loss report in AEW, however his performances within the Survival Of The Fittest Finals at Last Battle (together with an unbelievable closing stretch vs. Komander) and in opposition to Will Ospreay earlier this 12 months confirmed off the unbelievable strides he’s made as a wrestler.” – Sean Sedor

“Every time AEW needs to tug the set off, Fletcher has the products to be a significant star.” – Tyler Forness

“From an Ospreay clone to his personal man, Fletcher took the unhealthy fortune of his accomplice’s harm and has taken the highlight ably for himself.” – Will Younger

“A Will Ospreay protege with the potential to be as massive of a star as he’s, Fletcher is available in at 8 on my poll. Fletcher is a top-line employee able to go, as seen in his Survival of the Fittest efficiency at Last Battle final 12 months alongside his shocking matchup in opposition to Lee Johnson at Supercard of Honor. Fletcher is one other potential star AEW has simmering on the backburner, and one with the potential to interrupt out into superstardom ought to he get the possibility.” – Go well with Williams

#11
Mascara Dorada

Age: 22
Years Lively: 3
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: World Historic Welterweight Champion, Torneo Unbelievable De Parejas 2024 Winner, Campeon Common Del CMLL 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: 28

“Hype is a humorous factor. At the moment final 12 months, individuals had been salivating over Dorada’s potential. 12 months later, it feels just like the narrative round Dorada has turned and I’m unsure why. Because the final time we put an inventory collectively, Dorada crushed it on the Fantastica Mania tour, turned heads in AEW, and continued to be one of many many vivid spots on Friday evening in Enviornment Mexico. Dorada is nowhere close to reaching his apex, however he’s clearly one of the crucial thrilling and brightest prospects in all of wrestling.” – Case Lowe

“Successful the 2024 Campeon Common Del CMLL appears to be an indication the corporate is able to get behind the extremely proficient and extremely younger Mascara Dorada. It’s been a terrific 12 months the place he’s all the time appeared to be within the combine, however now it really feels he’s obtained the wind in his sails.” – Warren Hayes

“Mascara Dorada is the perfect younger wrestler on the earth proper now. Final 12 months I wrote that his execution within the ring was almost flawless – and one way or the other he has improved since then. His match with Titan finally 12 months’s Night time of Champions present was stuffed with drama, massive strikes, and had a movement that made each males look robust regardless of the end. Dorada is the way forward for CMLL and can proceed to impress as he ascends to the highest of the cardboard alongside Mistico.” – Griffin Peltier

#10
Daniel Garcia

Age: 25
Years Lively: 7
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: PWG World Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 7
Final 12 months’s Rating: 11

“AEW is taking the lengthy route in growing Garcia, but it surely’s clear that he’s prepared for it. He has constructed an actual crowd connection and ought to be an actual homegrown star for AEW ought to they keep the trail.” – Go well with Williams

“Criminally under-used, a charismatic teen with unbelievable wrestling acumen.” – Will Younger

“Daniel Garcia has emerged from a flood of early 20s signings that AEW made throughout its first few years to develop into a standout prospect within the ever-crowded AEW roster. It says lots about Garcia, who has mixed wonderful technical wrestling with underrated promos and depth, to have come out of that aggressive setting and stand out as one of many cornerstones of the long run for AEW. Garcia might not be on the prime of the cardboard within the subsequent couple of years, however he’ll nearly assuredly be one of the crucial constant and reliable employees in America if all goes effectively.” – Jesse Collings

#9
Gabe Kidd

Age: 27
Years Lively: 12
Promotion: New Japan Professional Wrestling, Revolution Professional Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion, NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Workforce Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 2
Final 12 months’s Rating: NR

“A dynamic performer with a wild charisma that may translate previous the ring.” – Will Younger

“Kidd walks the road of working too far into schtick, however there isn’t any denying that he has one thing in professional wrestling. Kidd has the aggression and bodily presence that a lot of his fellow younger gaijin in NJPW lack, and will emerge as the highest foreigner within the firm earlier than the tip of the 12 months.” – Jesse Collings

“The query isn’t if Gabe Kidd would be the subsequent main international star in New Japan, it’s when. He’s gotten spotlight singles matches everywhere in the world, together with in several promotions. He’s proven up massive in these matches too, having stormers with Shingo Takagi and Kaito Kiyomiya. Kidd additionally has a ardour that informs his wild rants on the mic, a ardour that would simply be was babyface fireplace ought to they select to take that route. A part of that is me stumping for the man I noticed on BritWres reveals as a standout teenage star, however most of that is seeing what New Japan sees in him: the subsequent international ace of the promotion.” – Go well with Williams

“He’s a madman.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Gabe Kidd is exclusive in at present’s wrestling in that he really comes off as unhinged and scary in a really possible way. On the time of this writing, his current title match in opposition to Kaito Kiyomiya in NOAH actually confirmed his potential as a important eventer.” – Kelly Harrass

“Gabe Kidd’s depth and savage methods had been a breath of contemporary air in a 12 months the place NJPW felt stiff and musty and rose above a lot of his contemporaries.” – Warren Hayes

“Gabe has come so extremely far within the final 12 months. His presence has been there just about because the second he got here again as a Struggle Canine, however this 12 months he’s constantly been the perfect in-ring employee in New Japan, exhibiting he had one other stage to get to (simply in time for a G1 the place he ought to be a significant focus). He’ll be the highest gaijin in that firm earlier than too lengthy, until he bolts for AEW cash first.” – John Carroll

#8
Yuma Aoyagi

Age: 28
Years Lively: 9
Promotion: All Japan Professional Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: Triple Crown Champion, AJPW World Tag Workforce Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 3
Final 12 months’s Rating: 15

“Aoyagi’s Triple Crown reign final 12 months was an enormous success with nice matches and attendances. He’s taken a backseat to date in 2024, however there’s no denying he’s now established himself as a important occasion participant and might be an enormous a part of All Japan for years to return.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Aoyagi had an ideal 12 months, lastly getting over the hump to win the Triple Crown from Yuji Nagata and having a noteworthy reign as champion. He’s one of many guys All Japan have efficiently constructed as much as carry the corporate into its subsequent era, and he’s worthy of being in that group.” – Go well with Williams

“Aoyagi churned out a monster final 12 months, absolutely asserting himself as a real equal of longtime firm ace Kento Miyahara. Aoyagi arguably had the perfect world title run in all of wrestling in 2023, and whereas issues have been a tad slower for him in 2024, he stays one of the crucial reliable figures in all of wrestling and a much-needed elite expertise for All Japan.” – Jesse Collings

#7
Utami Hayashishita

Age: 25
Years Lively: 5
Promotion: Dream Star Preventing Marigold
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: Goddesses Of Stardom Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 4
Final 12 months’s Rating: 16

“Stardom’s tremendous rookie appeared to flounder a bit after she misplaced the World of Stardom Championship again in December 2021 however she was too younger and too rattling good to jot down off. The creation of Marigold provides her one other probability to develop into an ace, particularly as soon as Giulia heads off to WWE. The following 12 months might be an enormous determinate in simply how massive a star over the long run Hayashishita may be.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Only a couple months in the past, I felt like Utami had hit her ceiling in Stardom. Now with Marigold, she has an entire new frontier to develop and thrive in. The leap was the absolute best factor she might have executed for her profession.” – Kelly Harrass

“Shifting to Marigold will most likely be nice for Hayashishita’s profession. She was getting a bit misplaced within the combine in STARDOM (which is unusual, truthfully), and with Giluia quickly departing the Japanese scene, she is in the perfect spot to hit the heights she as soon as had and be the beacon to information Rossy’s new promotion.” – Warren Hayes

#6
Shota Umino

Age: 27
Years Lively: 7
Promotion: New Japan Professional Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: N/A
Highest Panel Rating: 2
Final 12 months’s Rating: 10

“Umino is one other younger NJPW wrestler who has taken main steps within the final 12 months. His in ring work has been a little bit extra constant, and maybe extra importantly his reference to the crowds has significantly improved since final 12 months’s G1 Climax. He seems to be like a wrestler who’s greater than able to serving to to hold New Japan into a brand new period, even for those who’re nonetheless left questioning generally if he could possibly be THE man or not.” – John Carroll

“This previous 12 months, Shota Umino has lastly begun to beat the identification disaster that troubled him since he graduated from his Younger Lion days. He feels extra assured and has a clearer sense of course. His in-ring work is sharper and has began to point out indicators of what one expects from a prime tier wrestler. He’s began to point out the potential everybody’s seen in him. Possibly he’s, certainly, the man?” – Warren Hayes

“Umino was going to get each probability to be a star in New Japan together with his household title, however he’s labored his ass off to earn the appropriate to be known as one. He had a strong G1 and an ideal match with Will Ospreay within the fall earlier than falling into the Home of Torture orbit for a lot of the final 12 months. He has grown a crowd connection within the meantime, and had a rattling good IWGP Title match with Jon Moxley that was inexplicably in America as an alternative of Dominion. The one Musketeer on my poll – Tsuji aged out, Narita stinks – Umino has a robust probability to beat the opposite two to the height of New Japan.” – Go well with Williams

“Has all the instruments to develop into the subsequent man and is seemingly being positioned to take action.” – Will Younger

“Umino has lots of Kiyomiya in him, as he has been tabbed by NJPW as the subsequent future star even earlier than he was totally prepared. The distinction proper now’s Umino hasn’t been pushed all the way in which to the highest, however he’s been in a position to thrive in massive matches for probably the most half over the previous 12 months, and together with Yota Tsuji, looks like the perfect wager to make it as the subsequent era star for NJPW. “ – Jesse Collings

#5
MJF

Age: 28
Years Lively: 9
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: AEW World Champion, ROH World Tag Workforce Champion, Blind Eliminator Tag Workforce Event Winner
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: 1

“Of the crop of younger wrestlers on the market, undeniably leads the way in which in star energy.” – Will Younger

“Whereas MJF’s world title run final 12 months was imperfect and polarizing, it’s nonetheless onerous to disclaim that he stays probably the most proficient wrestler within the enterprise underneath the age of 30. In relation to having an enormous match, few are higher (so long as the opponent isn’t Adam Cole) and he’s arguably probably the most charismatic wrestler on American tv. There’s undoubtedly extra skepticism about MJF than there was a 12 months in the past, however he nonetheless stays a generational expertise, leaps and bounds forward of most of his friends.” – Jesse Collings

“The Brochachos shit almost made me hand over on US wrestling altogether.” – Griffin Peltier

“Brochacho’s bullshit apart, MJF has every thing to be an all-timer. He simply wants somebody to be a filter for his concepts, as a result of after they land, they’re unbelievable.” – Tyler Forness

“Nothing about MJF himself has modified. The issue is that he allowed his worst instincts to information him within the again half of 2023. The Brochacho storyline was antithetical to the idea that AEW was speculated to painting, and worst off, it overstayed it’s welcome for individuals who did take pleasure in. All for a flat, apparent payoff and a revenge storyline dropped as a result of each MJF and Adam Cole being injured. MJF returned at Double or Nothing with a promise to go away 2023 within the rear view and lower the bullshit. If he does, I can simply see him returning to the highest of my poll. This is similar man who had the unbelievable Ironman match with Bryan Danielson, and made rooster salad within the 4 Pillar 4 Means. If he can tweak these instincts to be extra to the tone of an alternate product, he ought to win again even probably the most burnt AEW followers on the market together with his overwhelming expertise.” – Go well with Williams

“MJF solely has himself in charge for falling off the highest of this record as a result of his multitude of artistic missteps final 12 months. He now has the chance to remind everybody why they thought so extremely of him within the first place. His resume can’t be ignored, and I’m nonetheless intrigued to see what he does subsequent.” – Adam Berger

“Our scumbag slips down a couple of pegs for me this 12 months due to a 2023 that induced him extra hurt than good. The Brochachos stuff with Adam Cole was a showcase of his worst instincts, which had me shaking my head like a disillusioned father whose child tripped on the 5 yard line as a result of he began celebrating too quickly. I knew Max was higher than the capers he subjected us to, which made the entire thing equal components irritating and baffling. His post-injury return in 2024 appears to be underneath a refocus on what he does greatest, which I’m able to welcome again even when I’m standing on eggshells.” – Warren Hayes

“I’m actually torn on MJF. Over the past 12 months plus, he’s executed among the greatest in-ring work of his complete profession, and has actually develop into an superior wrestler. On the identical time, whereas he nonetheless had some very strong promos right here and there, his exterior of the ring shenanigans had been among the worst issues that AEW has placed on tv within the 5 12 months existence of the corporate. It’s really type of ironic given his status when he first signed in 2019 was that he actually good promo, however his in-ring nonetheless wanted lots of work. I nonetheless think about him to be among the best throughout guys within the enterprise proper now (and he’s executed some completely insane issues in a few of his matches over the past 12 months or so), although he undoubtedly confirmed that his artistic instincts (when utterly left to his personal gadgets) are….lower than stellar. Hopefully he discovered from the errors of his 2023 run, however time will inform on that one.” – Sean Sedor

#4
Shun Skywalker

Age: 28
Years Lively: 8
Promotion: Dragongate Japan Professional-Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: Open The Triangle Gate Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: 9

“Shun Skywalker – The unequivocal “important character” of Dragongate. Skywalker has gone from extraordinarily promising excessive flyer with dashes of “this might go mistaken,” to flawed babyface champion, to probably the most charismatic wrestler working at present. There’s no weak spot in Skywalker’s instrument package after discovering the fountain of charisma after he turned heel in 2022. What makes Skywalker particular proper now’s the truth that he discovered the Fountain of Rizz and he has Mad Blankey-era YAMATO stage fandom as a heel. Every time Shun turns face once more, and it shouldn’t be any time quickly, he’ll erase no matter unhealthy emotions I had about Masquerade and his earlier missing babyface run.

Because the departure of Stronghearts in 2018 and the retirements and exits over the past six years, Dragongate handled the large existential query of what’s going to Dragongate appear to be after the Toryumon originals all retire. The promotion tried to reply this in Could of 2023 with the Reiwa New Technology Leaders (the “new” Huge Six) and included Shun Skywalker in that group. What’s develop into abundantly clear within the 12 months since is that though the others are robust, nobody else in Dragongate is on the extent of Shun Skywalker and it’s his period we live by means of.” – Mike Spears

“Skywalker is the center and soul of Dragongate as of late and even when he isn’t immediately within the title image, the corporate nonetheless largely revolves round his actions. He’s come a good distance since his authentic push as a teen, solidifying his in-ring work and actually rising into his psychotic persona that has set him other than lots of the excellent wrestlers in Dragongate. It’s onerous to ascertain Dragongate’s future over the subsequent decade that doesn’t contain Skywalker in a pivotal position.” – Jesse Collings

“Final 12 months I wrote, “Not solely the perfect wrestler underneath 30, however arguably probably the most full wrestler on the earth.” Guess what? Shun Skywalker solely obtained higher since then. The chief of Dragongate’s Z-Brats routinely weaves high-level character work with an beautiful match catalog. For the final three years, Dragongate has been at its greatest when it revolves round Skywalker. There is no such thing as a one doing what he’s doing, on the hit price he’s doing it at. In some ways, Shun Skywalker is the wrestler that folks declare that they desperately need on American TV wrestling. The fascinating factor about him, although, is that I’ve little doubt that he’d command the identical stage of consideration if he bounced to another wrestling promotion on the earth. He’s a ok wrestler that he’d have the ability to hold with prime AEW expertise, daring sufficient that he’d have the ability to conflict with CMLL’s massive stars, and undeniably proficient sufficient to hold on the prime of the New Japan card. He’s tailored for DG, however his skills are otherworldly. He’s unquestionably the entire bundle.” – Case Lowe

“Probably the most fascinating man in wrestling. The straw that stirs the drink in Dragongate. One of the vital underrated wrestlers on the earth. Shun Skywalker belongs in conversations for the perfect wrestler on the earth, as his expertise one way or the other pales compared to his means to make his house promotion revolve round him in a means that isn’t overbearing or title-reliant. Skywalker hasn’t been Dream Gate Champion in a 12 months, but Dragongate nonetheless looks like his promotion. His betrayal of Diamante final 12 months immediately led to the person now often called Luis Mante successful the Dream Gate Title at Last Gate. His fixed pursuit of former unit member Jason Lee led to his betrayal of long-time accomplice Jacky Kamei, resulting in the Useless or Alive cage match this 12 months by which he was a significant a part of. He’s the one way or the other the axis of consideration in Dragongate whereas not hogging all of the air or parking himself in the principle occasion scene. And the actual fact of the matter is that he ought to park himself within the title scene, as a result of he’s a wonderful wrestler in addition. He had the perfect match of Mante’s reign as champion in January, all whereas being a wonderful tag and trios wrestler because the chief of the Z-Brats unit. Shun Skywalker is a singular expertise on the earth of wrestling, and it’s about time he begins getting the popularity that he has earned.” – Go well with Williams

#3
Yuma Anzai

Age: 25
Years Lively: 1
Promotion: All Japan Professional Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: Triple Crown Champion
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: NR

“Saving All Japan from evil outsider, beating the ace at Korakuen. Yuma Anzai is simply 25 years previous and simply have 22 months of in-ring expertise, however nonetheless he’s the Triple Crown Champion. He’s one of the crucial thrilling skills within the land of the rising solar and somebody we’ll hear lots from sooner or later.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Extra thrilling than his AJPW cohort, Yuma Aoyagi, given his youth and relative lack of expertise, Anzai has been rocketed to the highest of AJPW in among the most progressive reserving that AJPW has executed up to now decade. Anzai possesses all of the instruments to make {that a} clever resolution, shortly excelling in professional wrestling nearly from his first match.” – Jesse Collings

“Yuma Anzai could also be younger from a world standpoint, however he’s a child within the wrestling world. He has not reached his second anniversary as a professional wrestler, but he stands as a assured and worthy Triple Crown Champion. He’s important eventing reveals, doing good enterprise as a marquee title, and main All Japan into its subsequent era. His title protection over Kento Miyahara on Could twenty ninth proved that not solely is All Japan hitching their wagon to this tremendous rookie, however that he’s greater than able to bearing the burden. At 25 years previous, All Japan might have discovered a star for the subsequent 20 years.” – Go well with Williams

“The supernova. Has only in the near past cemented himself atop All Japan by defeating Kento Miyahara to retain the Triple Crown. Lower than two years into the enterprise and he’s already among the best bumpers and sellers on the market.” – Gerard Di Trolio

#2
Konosuke Takeshita

Age: 29
Years Lively: 11
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling, DDT Professional Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: N/A
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: 2

“Konosuke Takeshita shouldn’t be solely the perfect wrestler underneath the age of thirty, however he’s among the best wrestlers on the earth interval. Whereas his reserving in AEW within the final 12 months has been….removed from excellent….the man remains to be an extremely thrilling performer who can put collectively wonderful matches when given the chance. His singles bout with Kenny Omega (all All Out 2023, a present which I went to dwell) and Will Ospreay (at Revolution this previous March) are two that stick out to me from the final 12 months (the latter of which being a legit MOTYC). He’ll now be getting into the G1 Climax for the very first time, and I can not wait to see how he does!” – Sean Sedor

“Konosuke Takeshita, like Kiyomiya final 12 months, is without doubt one of the greatest on the earth who’s at present being held again by his promotion. Will he break by means of? Solely time will inform, however he’s greater than able to being a important occasion participant if he’s given the possibility.” – Brady Trappett

“Takeshita is the textbook definition of a wrestler of their prime. Explosive, hard-hitting, polished, expert past perception. He has every thing one seems to be for when in search of the subsequent greatest professional wrestler on the earth. The sky’s the restrict for his expertise, now all he wants is to be positioned in massive spots for him to shine.” – Warren Hayes

“Whereas it may be argued that Takeshita is underutilized by his present house promotion, he has racked up so many nice matches up to now 12 months. His presence on this record is simple.” – Kelly Harrass

“An unbelievable in-ring performer that also appears to be stifled in catching fireplace like lots of followers need him to.” – Will Younger

“Takeshita is without doubt one of the easiest wrestlers on the earth and able to headlining each within the US and Japan. As nice as he’s been, he nonetheless has the potential to get even higher. An unbelievable expertise.” – Adam Berger

“Takeshita’s seemingly fixed losses has develop into a degree of consternation amongst many followers. Regardless of AEW not taking full benefit of his skills, he’s just too good to maintain off this record. He’s nonetheless among the best wrestlers on the earth.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Konosuke Takeshita is a as soon as in a lifetime expertise who had unbelievable performances in Japan, but additionally got here to the USA and have become an enormous asset to the AEW reveals.” – Chris Gascoigne

“AEW seems to be to have Takeshita slotted as a heel gatekeeper proper beneath the principle occasion scene, which is each a great spot and a disgrace, as Takeshita is able to being a World Champion within the US. After an odd finish of 2023, the place his wins over Kenny Omega weren’t instantly adopted up on, he’s been a continuing on AEW TV in 2024 with nice matches in opposition to Darby Allin, Chris Jericho, and Jon Moxley. His peak was the otherworldly Revolution match with Will Ospreay, which is the best skilled wrestling match I’ve ever seen dwell. Add in his appearances in DDT, and you’ve got a man who’s nice whereas one way or the other being able to a lot extra.” – Go well with Williams

“Will he ever be a significant star within the US? I’ve actual considerations about that together with his current reserving however there’s a lot to work with. He could possibly be an all-time nice.” – Tyler Forness

“Takeshita is the perfect in-ring wrestler underneath the age of 30, and in addition one of the crucial charismatic wrestlers within the business. He’s thrived working main American matches and strikes across the ring with the well-earned confidence of a famous person.” – Jesse Collings

#1
Kaito Kiyomiya

Age: 27
Years Lively: 8
Promotion: Professional Wrestling NOAH
Accomplishments Over The Final 12 months: GHC Heavyweight Champion, Open The Twin Gate Champion, Victory Problem Tag League 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Rating: 1
Final 12 months’s Rating: 4

“Weathered the storm of humiliations in 2022 and remains to be the younger face of Professional Wrestling NOAH.” – Will Younger

“Insane to suppose that Kiyomiya is wrestling for eight years now, but it surely felt by no means like NOAH was absolutely invested in him. Nonetheless he’s lastly again on prime of the NOAH ark and hopefully he might be on prime for lengthy(er). He’s a pure gifted expertise and would he have been booked correctly the final years, he can be an absolute famous person throughout the nation.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Kiyomiya stays a conundrum in lots of methods. By way of embellished accomplishments, he laps just about each different expertise underneath the age of 30. On the identical time, a lot of Kiyomiya’s success got here at instances throughout his profession the place he didn’t really feel like a whole performer and had been made in hopes that issues like successful the GHC Heavyweight Championship would make him right into a prime man. An extended and not-particularly-fruitful feud with Keiji Mutoh adopted, which put Kiyomiya within the highlight, however not all the time in one of the simplest ways. This previous 12 months has been stabilizing for Kiyomiya, as he has been vital to a rebuilding NOAH, with sufficient time now spent on prime of the promotion that his standing feels earned.” – Jesse Collings

“Kiyomiya is so near being an enormous star and is popping into the ace that NOAH believed he may be.” – Tyler Forness

“It’s wonderful what occurs when a promotion actively will get behind the supposed ace of the promotion. Kiyomiya has gotten his confidence again after Keiji Mutoh used him as a stepping stone to a different test, and has reached the potential so many followers noticed in him. He had a profitable tag run with Ryohei Oiwa earlier than successful the GHC Heavyweight Title from Wagner 3 and having an unbelievable protection in opposition to Gabe Kidd. Add that alongside a noteworthy set of matches in Dragongate alongside Alejandro as Twin Gate Champions, and you’ve got a 12 months a expertise of his caliber ought to be having. I can’t say I belief NOAH to maintain it going, which is why I don’t have him larger. But when NOAH fumbles him once more, not less than we had this final 12 months to look again on.” – Go well with Williams

“Kiyomiya has managed to rebuild himself after the Okada feud final 12 months after which shortly shedding the GHC title to an uninspiring Jake Lee. His tag staff with Ryohei Oiwa has been a significant component in dramatically bettering the NOAH mid-card. And regardless of all of his ups and downs, he stays among the best employees within the enterprise. His continued use of Keiji Muto strikes and mannerisms might come again to chunk him sooner or later as he nonetheless does have to outline who he’s, however issues are wanting higher than they had been final 12 months. Hopefully he has a lenghty reign with the GHC title.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Lastly free of the grasp of Keiji Mutoh, Kiyomiya has convincingly develop into the true-to-form firm ace for NOAH that almost all of us had seen in him. He all the time had the axiomatic “it,” however whether or not he had the abdomen and confidence to dwell as much as these expectations was the query. It’s loopy what good reserving can do for somebody with such immense expertise.” – Warren Hayes