In its fifteen years plus history, Impact Wrestling has been home to some of the biggest and most notable names in wrestling past and present. Starting with names such as Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Sting and Bobby Roode, they have had men that competed at such a high-level that it was impossible to ignore their presence in the company. Similarly, their Knockouts division has been home to some of the biggest names in women's wrestling, featuring the likes of Gail Kim and Mickie James.
As the years have passed, performers have come and gone and the names that are the focal point of the company has changed.
However, even though many famous wrestlers may have left the company, there are still highly skilled men and women there today. People who have risen to the top and ensured Impact/GFW is just as competitive as it has ever been. Who is the best that TNA has to offer today? Which names stand out above the rest?
Here are the six best Impact/GFW stars today.
#6 Bobby Lashley
A former TNA champion, Bobby Lashley has excelled in the promotion as both a heel and a face. While his MMA career hasn't been as successful, he has managed to cross over there as well. Today he is as prominent a character as he was when he was in WWE, if not more so. While with WWE, Lashley captured the United States and ECW championships.
What is the most impressive about Lashley's career is, his ability to compete consistently at a high-level, against any and all competition. Despite recently losing the Impact/GFW world championship, he is still a perennial threat each and every time he is in the ring.
Though almost forty years old, he doesn't appear to be slowing down in either of his pursuits. During his thirteen-year career, Lashley has consistently shown fans just how good as he is.
#5 Matt Sydal
As one of the premier high fliers in wrestling, Matt Sydal continues to showcase his skills in an array of matches against some of the best wrestlers today. Sydal is no stranger to fans around the world, having competed for both WWE and Ring of Honor during his career. He is a former tag team champion in WWE, ROH, and NJPW, and was part of New Japan's six-man tag team champions as well.
As part of Impact/GFW's X-division, he has been actively competing against the likes of Low Ki, Eddie Edwards, Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett. The 34-year-old, 17-year veteran is counted on for leadership inside and outside the ring.
He has earned respect wherever he has competed, and now that he is part of Impact/GFW he can once again be counted on to raise the bar and be among the best that the promotion has to offer.
#4 Low Ki
A veteran of nearly twenty years, Low Ki has returned to one of the promotions where he earned his initial popularity. As a matter of fact, he has been with Impact/GFW Wrestling on four separate occasions. Low Ki remains relentless in the strikes and moves he hits his opponents with.
His finishing move, The Warrior's Way appears to have been emulated by several of today's biggest wrestling names, including Finn Balor. However, that patented double foot stomp has been part of Low Ki's move set for a number of years.
His most recent run with Impact Wrestling has seen him change his look to resemble the video game character Agent 47, and he once again captured the X-division championship. He hasn't lost a step and continued to compete at a high-level. During his career, he has faced some of the biggest names in wrestling, like Balor, Samoa Joe, Cody and AJ Styles. Low Ki doesn't appear to be slowing down and continues to set the X Division on fire.
#3 Eddie Edwards
He is a former Ring of Honor World, Television and Tag team champion, but since he has been part of Impact/GFW, Eddie Edwards has primarily been an active part of two divisions in the promotion. While aligned with Davey Richards, Edwards was one-half of the most competitive tag team in the promotion.
Together they faced challenges from The Decay and The Hardys, among others. However, after Richards was injured Edwards was thrust into singles action, and in doing so was an active part of the main event.
During that time he faced Bobby Lashley on multiple occasions and captured the World Championship. When Richards returned from injury, he wasn't the supportive teammate that he had been. Today, these former partners are embroiled in a hostile, violent feud that has seen their significant others become active participants as well.
Edwards is more than capable of achieving success on his own and is a threat each and every time he steps into the ring. Another singles championship run is certainly within his reach.
#2 Davey Richards
With a look and build reminiscent of one of his childhood favourites, the Dynamite Kid, Davey Richards has in recent months made himself disliked, due to the heinous lengths he has gone to in order to rid himself of his former tag team partner Eddie Edwards.
What has made Richards' singles run so unique is the inclusion of his wife Angelina Love. He may be small in stature, but he isn't small in demeanour or attitude.
As it stands today, while Richards isn't contending for a championship, it is only a matter of time before he does. Whether it's the X-division, the Grand or Impact/GFW Wrestling Championship, a singles championship is within his grasp. It will only be a matter of time before the single's success comes to him.
#1 Ethan Carter III
Throughout his tenure with Impact/GFW, Ethan Carter III has been given the opportunity to thrive and has made the most of it. His character has evolved quite a bit since his debut, and that evolution has occurred both in the ring and on the mic.
During his fifteen-year career, he has showcased style during highly competitive matches against the likes of Austin Aries, Bobby Roode and Lashley.
While he is currently in pursuit of Moose's Grand championship, the Impact/GFW championship never appears far from his sights. Carter is a former two-time World champion, and in the past defended it gallantly. He has come a long way since his time in WWE, developmental, and has built a following of fans that clamour to see the master of the one percenter walk away victorious.
We can only see greater things in Carter's future as he continues to pursue various championships within the promotion.
