5 most influential AEW stars of 2021

AEW has grown from a new promotion to one of the best in the world in three short years. It has given a new home to wrestlers looking for a fresh start or for their first big opportunity in the industry.

Because Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and The Elite were able to form this new promotion, it literally changed the game in the industry. Smaller promotions were operating in the USA, but none were a threat to WWE. AEW changed all that.

Hangman Page was the youngest member of The Elite and is now the new AEW World Heavyweight Champion. He's also the youngest AEW World Champion (30). Page spent the second half of 2021 posturing for a title shot.

Page could have earned that shot and challenged Kenny Omega at All Out, but he took time off for the birth of his child. He would later return and win the title at Full Gear in November.

It was a matter of when and not if regarding Page becoming AEW Champion. His influence on the industry, however, might not match that of these next five AEW stars.

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#5. Britt Baker has ruled over the AEW Women's division in 2021

Britt Baker may not have been the first AEW Women's Champion but it was clear she was being primed for that spot. Allie had more name recognition when the company formed but has primarily been used to make other stars look good.

Hikaru Shida was the most complete in-ring competitor in the division, but Baker put everything together in 2020. She challenged for the title at Double or Nothing in May 2021 and has been champion ever since.

Her impact is so great that the crowd cheers for her no matter what. The best pro wrestlers can hold the audience in the palm of their hand. They can chastise a city and get cheered by that city at the same time. Baker has done that as the DMD.

The crowd loves her and CM Punk even said that she replaced MJF as one of the "four pillars" of AEW. Baker won't hold the title forever, but 2021 was certainly her year. She came into her own and became one of the top women in pro wrestling.

#4. Cody Rhodes has been a polarizing figure for AEW fans

Cody Rhodes has been in and out of the lineup in AEW due to outside projects. He focuses on his reality show and the Go Big Show when he's not wrestling. Rhodes could have had more going on in the ring but chose to balance those outside projects with a part-time routine. He also became a father recently, so his focus hasn't been 100% on in-ring action.

That changed with his "return" from hiatus. He battled Malakai Black and Andrade before announcing himself as the next challenger for Sammy Guevara and the TNT Championship on Christmas Day.

Giving yourself a title match is a sign of a heel performer. Some fans didn't like how he just announced himself as the next challenger. He is not even a part of the top-five rankings.

During most of 2021, AEW fans booed Cody heavily. It's precisely unknown why most fans booed him, but they did so nonetheless. It could be because he left for other projects. It could be because he usually puts himself over almost everyone in feuds.

He may have lost the first match but even against stars like Black and Andrade, Cody ended up winning the feud. Part of the reason for the boos could be his reluctance to accept a heel turn. Whatever the reason may be, the fact that fans boo Cody Rhodes when he's supposed to be a huge face in AEW is a sign of his influence.

If fans didn't care about a character or wrestler, they simply wouldn't react. When Cody comes out for a match, even against a heel, he is usually booed more than the heel. Some fans don't want to see an EVP go over other stars. Perhaps other fans simply don't enjoy Rhodes or his brand of pro wrestling.

Whichever way it is explained, however, Rhodes is a polarizing figure in AEW. The fact that so many people want him to turn is a sign of his influence on the brand.

#3. Bryan Danielson's addition to AEW was a huge move

Bryan Danielson, formerly known as Daniel Bryan, joined AEW at the end of All Out in September of 2021. Before joining AEW, Bryan had a handful of shots at the WWE Universal Championship.

Since becoming a member of AEW, he has had two matches for the top title. Both contests ended in time-limit draws. Those finishes speak to how he is seen in the industry — as one of the best wrestlers.

Danielson and Kenny Omega's battle ended in a draw after a 30-minute affair. As one of the most beloved stars throughout the industry, the former WWE Champion was going to be cheered no matter what.

Once Hangman Page dethroned Omega, however, Danielson turned heel. He won the AEW World Title eliminator tournament at Full Gear and earned another shot at the gold. At the same time, Page had just won the championship and wasn't going to lose it in his first major defense at Winter is Coming.

While it could have been a bit shorter, he battled Danielson to a time-limit draw after 60 minutes. The match essentially put Page in the conversation regarding the top stars in pro wrestling.

Danielson's influence as a huge star without fanfare is a big reason why so many fans love him. He seems like a guy that could be found in anyone's hometown. But once he hits the ring, his opponents have to put forth their best effort.

The American Dragon is one of the most selfless wrestlers, known for putting over several stars in WWE (Murphy, Ali, Roman Reigns, Kofi Kingston). He even made Page look good despite their recent match ending in stalemate.

It's safe to say that Danielson's influential ability in and out of the ring is why so many other wrestlers want to face him in the squared circle.

#2. Kenny Omega carried the AEW Championship for most of 2021

Former AEW Champion Kenny Omega grew his profile so high while in New Japan Pro Wrestling that he became known as "The Best Bout Machine." He parlayed that nickname into the creation of AEW alongside the Khans and The Elite.

Alongside Danielson, Okada, and several others, Omega was always in the conversation for the best wrestler in the world. The Cleaner won the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley at last year's Winter is Coming event. He held the title for most of 2021, dropping it to Page at Full Gear in November.

In that time, Omega passed through the "Forbidden Door" to compete for and win the IMPACT World Championship. That alone is impressive since many wrestling promotions don't work together. Some have worked together over the years, but most larger ones in the USA have kept to their own promotions.

By showing that he and AEW were willing to work with other companies, it grew the product and his profile. While that partnership with IMPACT is over, it was still a huge deal for the industry.

Moreover, it had to be a wrestler of Omega's caliber and influence to make the partnership work. He's one of the biggest names in the industry outside of WWE and his profile made it possible.

Omega's status in the industry is also so great that he put over the younger Page in defeat. Some stars aren't willing to do so, but Omega helped the growth of AEW by doing just that.

Since he's wrestled at such a high level for over a decade, The Cleaner is currently out of action to heal from various ailments. AEW likely wouldn't be in the position it is in today without his work and influence in the industry.

#1. CM Punk's arrival in AEW was a historic moment for pro wrestling

AEW made many wrestling fans' dreams a reality when CM Punk showed up this summer. Punk had been out of the wrestling industry since 2014 but was still one of the most influential stars in the business. When the fans get bored with a star, segment, or match, they chant his name.

If that isn't a sign of the influence that someone has on the industry, then it's hard to tell what is. Punk is so beloved by wrestling fans that some cried when he showed up at Rampage in his hometown of Chicago.

Punk represented a performer that didn't pretend to be someone else, something that helped him to the top of WWE. He was an alternative to stars like John Cena, who some felt represented the WWE machine.

He may not speak fondly of his time there, but without it, he wouldn't be the cult-like figure that he is today. When asked if he would return to wrestling, Punk said it would take "the stupidest amount of money" for any company, WWE or AEW, to secure his services.

They must have dropped it at his doorstep because Darby Allin uttered "the best in the world" one week. Punk showed up a few weeks after that. There's a reason wrestling companies bring back beloved stars from the past — some fans love the nostalgia.

CM Punk was a star that retired with a lot left in the tank. He was just spent physically, mentally, and emotionally in 2014. He means so much to the wrestling business due to his cult-like status.

Punk might not be the same athlete that he was 10 years ago but can still cut promos with the best. His influence is so great that two of the four "pillars" of AEW have already feuded with him since his arrival in Tony Khan's promotion.