The AEW fanbase seems loyal and large enough to speculate about where the promotion may be in ten years time.
Stars like Cody and Jericho would be retired, titles will have a more rich history and new talent will be continuously pushing through every year. Therefor the original members of AEW roster(current roster) will be likely viewed as the big stars of the promotion come 2030.
That doesn’t mean that someone couldn’t show up in AEW in four years time and turn the company on it’s head, becoming AEW’s biggest star. However for this list I’m looking at the young guns who are currently signed and who fans would completely adore to see as champion or at least at the forefront of the company.
All of the listed names are aged 30 or under.
Who is the present and the future?:
#1 MJF
Not much needs saying about him, he’s money. Maxwell Jacob Friedman is one of wrestling’s hottest prodigies, if not the hottest. His promo work is ten years ahead of where it should realistically be and his matches are usually very good, he’s the perfect heel. This guy will, without question, be a world champion in AEW.
#2 Austin Gunn
Compared to most of the names on this list, Austin Gunn’s rise has been muted a little. His debut with his father, Billy, was not aired due to rumoured WWE interference but the Gunn Club quickly emerged and so far have gone undefeated in tag team wrestling. Austin is yet to have a singles match but it seems clear that he will end up there eventually. If anyone pays attention to him at ringside or to the segments he’s included in, young Austin Gunn oozes an irritating and yet excitable charisma which simultaneously shows he’d be a good heel or babyface too. Hopefully the recent addition of the Gunn Club to the Nightmare Family will kickstart his rise.
#3 Riho
The inaugural women’s champion. That’s a title only one wrestler can ever earn in a promotion and Riho is that wrestler. Fans have missed her deeply during the pandemic because Riho is a bubbly, smiley and highly talented young competitor. You’d have to imagine that Riho will not go down as just a single title winner, she will be a multi-time champion and will play a vital role in AEW’s women’s division until she decides to leave. She’s a wonderful talent.
#4 Jungleboy
Jungleboy is definitely considered one of the young heartthrobs of AEW with a natural magnetism and a very solid in-ring craft. His group, Jurassic Express, with Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt, are one of the most over groups in the company. Not only is he a well established tag team wrestler at this point but also a great singles competitor, highlighted when he took Chris Jericho to a time limit draw earlier in the promotions history. A future star, yes. However he is star already in many fan’s eyes.
#5 Sammy Guevara
Sammy Guevara, “The Spanish God” has thrived in his role as the protégé of his Inner Circle leader, Chris Jericho. He works well with teammates but first and foremost he is an exceptional singles competitor. Guevara could be a champion right now and not feel out of place. He’s solid in every department and it’s hard to name many younger wrestlers who are a better overall package, like most on this list. Guevara however offers something different to most heels in AEW. Most heels are that way because they wish to be that way, in Sammy’s case, people love to hate him and if people love to hate him, people will pay good money to see him get his ass kicked.
#6 Darby Allin
Darby Allin began his AEW career with a time-limit draw with Cody, immediately fans were in love with this Jackass-esk stuntman who just happens to love pro wrestling. Allin puts on great matches pretty much every single time, he is one of the stand out performers during AEW’s first season/year and he’s only going to become a bigger deal as time goes on. He is a perfect wrestler/character for the modern wrestling audience.
#7 Anna Jay
Anna Jay’s story is probably one of the most interesting in the women’s division. An interesting start including being squashed by Abadon on Dynamite, despite Jay having a promo package that suggested she may be away to get a push beforehand. Anna quickly joined the Dark Order soon after and hasn’t looked back. Now she’s one of the meanest women in that division, with a devastating choke hold finisher and of course the Dark Order at her side. Anna Jay could well win the women’s world title whilst being a member of the Dark Order.
#8 Tay Conti
Conti arrived not too long ago and hasn’t had the opportunity yet to cut a promo or have a title match to see where she stands. It won’t take long to get there though. When watching Conti wrestle, it becomes clear she will be regarded at the submission specialist of the women’s division. Her style is totally different from anyone else, plus with her look and smoothness in the ring, fans can’t help but be intrigued by her.
#9 Hangman Adam Page
When Kenny’s gone, when Cody’s gone, when the men who started it all begin to bow out one by one… The Hangman will remain. Hangman Page is going to be regarded as one of the biggest stars the company will see. He’s a fantastic wrestler, involved emotionally in so many feuds and friendships, not to mention that the fans absolutely are besotted with the Hangman. His name will only get bigger with time and calling him a world champion will be one of the most feel good moments we’d be likely to have.
#10 Rey Fenix
If there was ever a guy who could be the greatest luchador in AEW and be remembered as exactly that in the future, it’s Fenix. This man is one of the greats of his style of wrestling, I’ve yet to see a bad Rey Fenix match. Even in matches he gets injured in, the man pushes through and finishes his fights. Fenix will get huge backing from fans for years to come and it’s not that difficult to see him winning tag team gold with his brother(Penta El Zero M) or even earning a singles championship to emphasis his greatness.
If AEW stands the test of time and sign more TV deals above and beyond this current contract, these stars will influence the next generation.
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