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AEW has assembled an all-time great roster that features a brilliant blend of established talent and rising stars. They have some of the best in-ring workers and talkers in the business today, but this list of competitors stands out even more for how the booking has had its eye on the future.
In particular, there are the Four Pillars of All Elite Wrestling. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, also known as MJF, coined the group on air just a few months back, and it consists of Sammy Guevara, Jungle Boy, and Darby Allin alongside him.
These four men will be the main event players in the next five to ten years for the company, and it makes sense for AEW to highlight that.
Two of the four pillars put on arguably the greatest pay-per-view opener in company's history this past weekend, while the other two picked up huge wins at Full Gear 2021.
With 2021 about to come to a close, it is an ideal time to look at where each man is right now. In this article, let's rank the four pillars of AEW right now.
#4 AEW's Jungle Boy
When Jungle Boy signed with AEW, many fans were unfamiliar with the young star. His Jurassic Express tag team with Luchasaurus gained popularity and grew with every passing week in All Elite Wrestling. The 24-year-old is unique from what the rest of the men considered a pillar.
Jungle Boy is a pure babyface and has a likability that is instant with most fans. AEW President Tony Khan only increased his connection with the crowd by adding the Tarzan Boy theme song to his persona. It has become a magnetic entrance that grips the viewer and makes them want to get behind Jungle Boy. The connection doesn't just end before the bell rings, though.
Jungle Boy's in-ring style is fast, exciting, and always moving. It is crisp and beautiful to watch sometimes. He has all the aspects that make a great underdog babyface, which is exactly what the Jurassic Express member is.
More than any of the other four pillars of AEW, he has to be regarded as the biggest potential to be a top babyface for the promotion.
Whether in singles or tag team action, the future is bright for the Jurassic Express member and will only hold bigger opportunities for this young competitor. Jungle Boy is so good, yet will continue to learn and grow into an even more seasoned in-ring worker.
Jungle Boy has shown in encounters against Chris Jericho, MJF, and Adam Cole that he has what it takes to be a future AEW World Champion.
#3 AEW's Sammy Guevara
Sammy Guevara has continued to make history since arriving in AEW. The Spanish God was in the first singles match in the company's history against Kip Sabian at Double Or Nothing 2019. He also competed in the first singles bout on Dynamite against Cody Rhodes. The 28-year-old joined Chris Jericho's Inner Circle stable on the first Dynamite and has only improved since then.
Sammy Guevara has remained a constant in All Elite Wrestling despite taking time off last year. He defeated Miro to win the TNT Title and has been an impressive Champion so far.
Guevara successfully defended the gold against Bobby Fish, Ethan Page, and Jay Lethal in strong contests. Sammy has delivered as a heel and now a babyface, making him a standout ahead of the other pillars.
#2 AEW's Darby Allin
When fans talk about the AEW TNT Championship, Darby Allin's name will have to be mentioned. Cody Rhodes was the first champion, and Brodie Lee broke out as a bonafide superstar with his short yet stellar stint with the title. However, Darby solidified himself as a future top star for the promotion with his 186-day reign as Champion.
Allin has been one of the most popular stars in All Elite Wrestling since his debut and that popularity has grown over time due to steady progression up the ladder for the 28-year-old.
His association with Sting has allowed him to resonate with older fans and have plenty of memorable moments this year. Darby Allin has what it takes to be a top star, despite his size and unconventional look.
#1 AEW's MJF
This list of the four pillars of AEW would always come back to the man who coined the phrase on television for the first time. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF, is far and away from a breakout star who has immediately entrenched himself into the fabric of All Elite Wrestling. He has presented and carried himself like a main eventer and has been treated as such.
MJF has had a lengthy undefeated streak in singles competition for AEW. He was a phenomenal talker who garnered heat by picking up a microphone. His betrayal of Cody Rhodes at Full Gear 2019 felt like a major turning point when the company decided to go full speed ahead with the 25-year-old as one of their top guys and future ace.
MJF has beaten Cody, Chris Jericho, and Hangman Page while also having some showstealers against Jungle Boy, Jon Moxley, and Sammy Guevara. Friedman is a two-time winner of the Dynamite Diamond Ring and the leader of the Pinnacle. His faction includes his hired muscle Wardlow, Shawn Spears, Tully Blanchard, and FTR.
MJF has just concluded a year-long storyline with Chris Jericho at All Out 2021. Although Maxwell lost to Jericho at the pay-per-view, he owns two pinfall victories over the first AEW World Champion and formed his group on the back of the Inner Circle.
MJF's latest feud might have been his best work to date. Friedman faced Darby Allin at Full Gear 2021 in an excellent opener that showcased the wrestling prowess of both men and told a wonderful story. MJF said leading up to the showdown that he could beat Allin with a headlock takeover. Following a knockout punch with the diamond ring, The Pinnacle Leader beat Darby with a headlock takeover.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is unquestionably going to be a future AEW World Champion. He checks the boxes in every single way and has knocked every opportunity put in front of him out of the park. The Pinnacle leader is an incredible talker, a compelling character, and continues to prove himself as an exceptional in-ring performer.
AEW has made him a special attraction of sorts. MJF doesn't wrestle every week, but he does show up for a promo because it's that damn good. He has also been the only man of these four to own a pinfall victory over the other three. That's why MJF is the best of the four pillars of AEW.
