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AEW has one of the best rosters in wrestling today, with an influx of young talent who have had unsuccessful runs in WWE. These superstars end up wrestling in one of the best wrestling environments in the world, and naturally become better wrestlers.
While not every wrestler who has made the jump has flourished or become a megastar, there are quite a few who have improved significantly. Younger talent get ample chances to improve, especially when working beside some of the biggest legends in wrestling.
Not every wrestler gets to wrestle beside legends. AEW provides young wrestlers with opportunities that they would never get in other promotions. These younger guys end up wrestling matches that they could only dream of getting on the Indies or other promotions. Let's take a look at the most improved wrestlers in AEW this year.
5. Miro has improved significantly during his time in AEW
Miro has had one of the best transformations in AEW since leaving WWE behind. Not only did he have one of the most powerful TNT Championship runs, but he also managed to rebrand himself entirely.
Miro's early days at AEW were met with some criticism. His early persona was a gamer/wrestler who was not just Kip Sabian's Best Man, but the best man at everything. Miro played video games and sports alongside Sabian. However, soon his pairing with Sabian would fall flat and Miro would become TNT Champion.
During his time as champion Miro became "The Redeemer". Now sporting a far more aggressive wrestling style and dedicating everything to his God. Miro was a fierce champion, eventually losing the title to Sammy Guevara. Since then, he's taken a back seat but his amazing promo vigenettes are still played to keep fans' attention.
Miro will likely return to the championship scene very soon and could even go after the AEW Championship.
4. Sammy Guevara became the AEW TNT Champion in 2021
Sammy Guevara had a decent run in 2020 in AEW. Guevara had some memorable matches alongside The Inner Circle and even feuded with WWE veteran Matt Hardy. Unfortunately Guevara was suspended for comments made in 2016 and underwent sensitivity training.
After his suspension, AEW fans thought his career would likely stagger and he'd fade away. Luckily for Guevara, his core fanbase remained strong. Shortly after his return, The Inner Circle welcomed MJF and Wardlow into their midst. This was until MJF betrayed them.
On the March 31st episode of AEW Dynamite, the Inner Circle would return and attack The Pinnacle in retaliation. This would begin a long feud between both groups, mainly between MJF and Chris Jericho. Guevara would frequently face off against Shawn Spears during the feud.
To the surprise of many fans, Guevara became the first AEW wrestler to defeat Miro. After his victory he claimed the title and has since been TNT Champion. Guevara's run as TNT Champion has been unique and has seen him become the first real opponent of three newly signed AEW wrestlers. Guevara is set to face Cody Rhodes for his title on the Christmas episode of AEW Dynamite.
3. Britt Baker is arguably the best AEW Women's Champion so far
Britt Baker started off her run in AEW as an awkward face. She soon began to settle herself into the role of a dominant heel wrestler. It wasn't until her match with Hikaru Shida, where Baker suffered a broken nose, that the wrestling world truly began to notice her.
While Baker is only the 4th AEW Women's Champion, this will undoubtedly not be her only reign. Baker will likely have to drop the title at some point, but until then fans can all enjoy her performances on the mic and in the ring.
2. Dante Martin is one of the rising stars in AEW
It's crazy to think that AEW superstar Dante Martin is only 20 years old. The young wrestler would easily have gotten lost or used as enhancement talent on other promotions. Martin has enjoyed a massive push on AEW and is likely on his way to earning a championship sooner rather than later.
His debut might have been exciting but Martin quickly fell back into AEW Dark. Unfortunately, the second member of Top Flight, Darius - Dante's older brother - has been injured and won't return until sometime in 2022. Martin has been paired with the impressive Lio Rush and may capture some tag team gold beside him.
1. Kenny Omega has become an even bigger superstar
While it might be crazy to think of Kenny Omega as a wrestler who improved in 2021, Omega is far bigger than he was in 2020. Longtime Omega fans from his time in NJPW and even before have always known about his skill. This year he showed the larger pro wrestling community what he's capable of.
Kenny Omega is no longer one of the greatest Indie wrestlers, but one of the greatest professional wrestlers today.
