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4) Eddie Kingston - The everyman of AEW
Eddie Kingston came into AEW and took the wrestling world by storm. Despite a storied near-two-decade run on the independent wrestling scene, the Mad King was a relative unknown when he showed up to accept Cody Rhodes's TNT Championship open challenge. From the minute he opened his mouth, Kingston had been earning fans ever since.
2021 marked a babyface turn for Kingston at the perfect time. His saving of Jon Moxley following the Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match at AEW Revolution 2021 was the lone bright spot for the botched ending. His partnership with Moxley became one of the most popular in the promotion. On his own, Kingston has had riveting feuds with PAC, Miro and CM Punk this year.
Eddie Kingston is the everyman of All Elite Wrestling. He is widely considered the most authentic and relatable professional wrestler on the planet today, from his gritty promos to his intensity in the ring. There has been nothing quite as organic as the AEW fanbase embracing and rallying behind Kingston in 2021.
3) Current AEW Women's World Champion Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. - The Role Model
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., made a claim for best gimmick last year with her heel turn being a revelation to AEW fans. The real-life dentist used all the cheesy characterizations of her cookie cutter babyface act and turned it on its head by becoming a self-absorbed narcissist who believes she's a role model.
If 2020 saw the introduction of this new gimmick for Baker, then 2021 was the year where she reveled in it. Her promo work has become some of the best in promotion and her improvement in the ring has been remarkable. Britt's feud with Thunder Rosa is among the year's best, with their Lights Out Match being a Match of the Year candidate and elevating the AEW women's division.
Britt Baker's coronation at Double Or Nothing 2021 as AEW Women's World Champion felt earned in the best way possible. She hasn't stopped since then with defenses against Kris Statlander, Nyla Rose, Tay Conti and Red Velvet. The latter took place in Britt's hometown of Pittsburgh in the main event of the first AEW Rampage. Without a doubt, Baker has been incredible this year.
