In the wake of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) singing industry veterans Sting, Paul Wight, and Christian Cage (all over the age of 45, who are legends of yesterday from WCW, TNA, and WWE), there has been backlash from critics of the promotion that claim that the promotion needs to focus on who they have, rather than bringing in old, established legends. One of AEW’s many strengths is that they do an excellent job at integrating older and younger talent together, whether at commentary, with managers, or actually in the ring. However, it does feel like AEW hasn’t yet established some of their wrestlers as stars, despite the fact that they are ready to break out. Personally, I’m excited to see Christian Cage challenge for the AEW World Championship, and I think that he and Kenny Omega would tear the house down in a Double or Nothing Main Event, if that is the direction Tony Khan decides to steer his ship.
However, there are a plethora of singles stars who I feel aren’t as special, over, or utilized as they could be. So, I’ve decided to rank the top 20 AEW singles stars of the future, and rate them in terms of longevity, ability, and upside. They are ranked from 20 to 1, with 1 having the potential to be the biggest long term star for the promotion, with talent, ability, longevity, and/or a plethora of other characteristics declining from there. For the purposes of this list, Christian Cage, Sting, Paul Wight, Dustin Rhodes, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Darby Allin, Jon Moxley, and Kenny Omega will remain unmentioned, as they are all either legends or already major stars that the organization is building around.
20) Eddie Kingston
Ability: 6/10
Charisma: 9.5/10
Look: 8/10
Age: 39
Ceiling: A quality hand
Rounding out our list at number 20, we have the internet’s favorite talker, Eddie Kingston. Kingston burst onto the scene as part of Cody’s open challenges last summer, and he proceeded to become a fan favorite and a major player within the company. He even main evented the Pay Per View Full Gear in an I Quit Match for the World Championship. Going forward though, I don’t see Kingston having much value other than his promo ability. He can still go in the ring to an extent, but I don’t see him being a singles star for more than another year or two. I’d like to see him become purely a mouthpiece, whether as a commentator or manager. For now, Kingston will play the role of Jon Moxley’s friend and drinking buddy, which is a good spot for him to be in.
19) Lance Archer
Ability: 8/10
Charisma: 7/10
Look: 8.5/10
Age: 44
Ceiling: A quality hand
While I know that I am in the minority here, I don’t see what value Lance Archer and Jake “The Snake” Roberts bring to the table for AEW. Archer has already fought for the World and TNT Championships, like Brian Cage, and he is by far the oldest “future star” on this list. His promos are overrated and, despite being a great athlete, I’m just not drawn to him. Over the next couple of years, I would look for him to serve a similar role as the one I describe for number 18 on this list.
18) Wardlow
Ability: 8/10
Charisma: 5/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 33
Ceiling: A quality hand
Wardlow, who has been used effectively as MJF’s enforcer, may not have as high of a ceiling as many fans and people within the promotion may think. Being 33, he is hardly an up-and-comer, and his promo ability is nowhere near that of his peers. Despite this, Wardlow is still a tremendous physical specimen who has size and a great presence, and is a good looking threat to any babyface standing across the ring from him. Wardlow will serve as a great stepping stone for resilient, underdog baby faces on their way towards superstardom.
17) Sonny Kiss
Ability: 7/10
Charisma: 6/10
Look: 7.5/10
Age: 27
Ceiling: A quality hand
Kiss is a hell of an athlete, and this gender-neutral, flamboyant superstar may have a high ceiling, but as of right now it seems as though Kiss may just fit as a good hand for the company to have. Her mic skills aren’t that great, and she is still developing as a wrestler alongside Joey Janella. Moreover, more conservative or bigoted fans may have no interest in watching Sonny Kiss matches, however that hasn’t stopped AEW from pushing Nyla Rose (and it shouldn’t). Kiss proved that she has potential when she stepped up to the plate and wrestled Cody in a really solid singles match for the TNT Championship last summer. Going forward, I look forward to seeing more solid singles feuds and matches for Sonny Kiss.
16) Kip Sabian
Ability: 8.5/10
Charisma: 8.5/10
Look: 8.5/10
Age: 28
Ceiling: Someone capable of Main Eventing and wrestling for Championships
The winner of AEW’s first ever singles match, Kip Sabian has the talent, look, and charisma to be a major player in the wrestling world. His presentation since the launch of Dynamite, and especially in the last 6 months or so, has been underwhelming to say the least. Like Luchasaurus, Sabian has a lot of untapped potential that is flying under the radar right now. Going forward, he’s a guy who should definitely be in a singles championship picture. With the right push and presentation, I think he’d make a fine TNT Champion down the line, as well.
15) Brian Cage
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 7/10
Look: 8.5/10
Age: 37
Ceiling: Someone capable of Main Eventing and wrestling for Championships
The FTW World Champion and the founding member of Team Taz is a freak in the ring, but he has already had high profile rivalries with Jon Moxley and Darby Allin over the World and TNT Championships, and it doesn’t seem to me that his ceiling can exceed that level. At 37, and not having the most charisma in the world, I don’t see Cage being a recognized singles champion in AEW. He is a beast, and there is a lot of upside to having him on the roster, but I don’t see him making an impact bigger than what he has already done.
14) Luchasaurus
Ability: 8.5/10
Charisma: 7.5/10
Look: 8/10
Age: 36
Ceiling: Someone capable of Main Eventing and wrestling for Championships
Luchasaurus has a gimmick that lends itself to comic relief, and he is often overshadowed by Jungle Boy, who is the obvious potential breakout star of Jurassic Express, but the dinosaur is an incredible athlete who does some of the best, and most impressive, moves on the whole roster. Watching him give Kenny Omega or Darby Allin a run for their money without actually winning their belts would be awesome, and I think it's a spot that he belongs in. Just like how Scorpio Sky was a viable threat to step up to Chris Jericho and to Darby Allin, I think Luchasaurus has the same capability and should be presented in such a way by the promotion.
13) Scorpio Sky
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 8.5/10
Look: 8.5/10
Age: 37 (turns 38 next month)
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Scorpio Sky is a guy who has been well-positioned in AEW as one half of the inaugural Tag Team Champions, as well as a guy who has wrestled in Dynamite Main Events for both the World (2019) and TNT(2021) Championships. Sky is a hell of an athlete who is pretty popular among the fans. Nothing about Sky tends to stick out, and his age is working against him when considering “future stars”. However, Sky has filled the role of somebody right on the cusp of singles greatness quite well, and I think he is a legitimate threat to the TNT Championship without needing to do too much to his character or position within the company. However, I wouldn’t say that Scorpio Sky is a guy who will be a World Champion in 5 years, just due to the fact that in 5 years he will be in his early 40s.
12) Powerhouse Hobbs
Ability: 8/10
Charisma: 7/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 30
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
The 3rd addition to Team Taz, “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs has the size and presence that is often missing on AEW’s broadcasts. Compared to the other “big hoss” kind of wrestlers on the roster, Hobbs is the youngest at 30 years old, giving him more upside and longevity than Miro, Luchasaurus, Wardlow, Archer, and Cage. Also, because he has never wrestled for WWE, TNA, NJPW, or ROH, he feels fresh and exciting in comparison to some other familiar faces signed to the company. Keeping Hobbs with Taz by his side will help propel him to the next level of stardom.
11) John Silver
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 9/10
Look: 8/10
Age: 29
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
The biggest breakout star from the Dark Order not named the late-great Mr. Brodie Lee, John Silver is a steady fan favorite in the AEW midcard. Despite his strength and charisma, Silver stands at 5 foot 4 inches tall, meaning casual fans may not take him seriously. Despite that, I think that with enough focus and training, along with the right presentation from AEW, Silver can be on the level of a Malenko, Guerrero, Taz, and Benoit-esque wrestler. Not only does he have both babyface and heel potential, but he has a huge amount of talent, and because of his strength and style, he doesn’t seem to be as short as he is, which is a definite advantage that a guy like Marko Stunt doesn’t have going for him.
10) Miro
Ability: 8.5/10
Charisma: 7.5/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 36
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
There was a lot of excitement around Miro signing with AEW after he was released from WWE due to “budget cuts as a result of the pandemic”, as many felt he had natural charisma and a great, physical in ring style that went underutilized over the last few years of his WWE tenure. When he debuted as Kip Sabian’s Best Man, with blonde hair and an avid video gamer gimmick, many fans were turned off. Make no mistake about it, Miro has what it takes to be a top heel for AEW, but he definitely needs a new presentation in order to make that happen. I would start by having him aggressively turn on Kip and Penelope before embarking on a huge winning streak spanning over Dynamite, Dark, and Dark: Elevation. I would also consider giving him a mouth piece. I think both Taz and Don Callis would be fantastic, but I’d like to keep Miro as a solo act, so perhaps a brand new manager to the promotion would be in order.
9) Orange Cassidy
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 9.5/10
Look: 8.5/10
Age: 36
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Orange Cassidy is somebody who had to win over a lot of important people, including Jim Ross, Chris Jericho, and even Tony Khan, due to his silly gimmick. However, Cassidy has become one of AEW’s most organically over and beloved babyfaces. The problem with Orange is that the AEW brass don’t take him seriously. They will present him on Dynamite and pay-per-views because they know he is over, but it doesn’t seem that they have any intention of pushing him. Regardless of what Jim Cornette would have to say about it, Orange Cassidy has the potential to become a champion and a main eventer in AEW.
8) Penta El Zero M
Ability: 9.5/10
Charisma: 9.5/10
Look: 10/10
Age: 36
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Penta El Zero M, otherwise known as Pentagon Jr., is the older, darker Lucha Brother who has natural charisma and a fantastic gimmick to go along with his hard hitting and impressive in-ring style. The so-called Lord of Lucha-Libre has a major test coming up this Wednesday night, as he goes one on one with Cody Rhodes on Dynamite. After being in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at Revolution, and with Pac and Fenix beginning to tag together, it seems that Penta may be on his way to a little singles push, which would be much deserved, as fans of his runs in Impact, Lucha Underground, and AAA are already aware of.
7) Sammy Guevara
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 8.5/10
Look: 10/10
Age: 27
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Sammy Guevara belongs in the same category as MJF, Page, Starks, Jungle Boy, and Darby Allin as the future, home grown superstars of AEW. He plays a great cocky heel, and there is huge potential for him to play a great babyface against MJF in the near future. Unfortunately for Guevara, his mic skills are a step below AEW’s other future stars, and after his comments about Sasha Banks that were leaked during the Speaking Out Movement, some fans may refuse to accept him as the star that he has the talent and the potential to be.
6) PAC
Ability: 10/10
Charisma: 8.5/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 34
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Pac is one of the most gifted pro wrestlers in the world today, and he has all the tools to be the top guy in AEW. What holds him back are his age and his promo ability, but the man feels like a star and can out-wrestle anybody on the roster not named Kenny Omega. It would be in AEW’s best interest to once again place Pac in a position like he was prior to the pandemic, where he was tearing the house down with Moxley and Omega in Dynamite Main Events.
5) Jungle Boy
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 8/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 23
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Jungle Boy, at only 23, has the highest upside out of everybody on the AEW roster due to the fact that he is the youngest member of the roster to already be so talented. He is innovative and resourceful, and is just a fantastic down-and-out but fighting back babyface. AEW has already presented him as a resilient rookie who is so close to breaking through, and can take so much punishment due to his heart and his passion, but AEW has also only presented Jungle Boy as a loser in singles competition. At 23, Jungle Boy has the potential to be the youngest singles star in the wrestling world.
4) Rey Fenix
Ability: 10/10
Charisma: 8/10
Look: 9/10
Age: 30
Ceiling: Comfortable Main Event Level Player who has the potential to have a sustained run as the TNT or World Champion
Perhaps the most gifted athlete and competitor on the roster, Rey Fenix has all the tools to be the AEW World Champion for a very long time. He’s explosive, exciting, and innovative, and his masks and natural charisma make up for his lack of an English promo ability. Also, with news that Triple H is high on Fenix and thinks he could be WWE’s top Latino star, it is imperative that Tony Khan begins to push Fenix like the superstar that he has the potential to be.
3) "Absolute" Ricky Starks
Ability: 9.5/10
Charisma: 10/10
Look: 10/10
Age: 27
Ceiling: Multi-Time AEW World Champion, Face of the Company
Ricky Starks was a steal for AEW. He first showed up in the promotion during Cody’s TNT Champion Open Challenge run in the early summer of 2020. Starks, who had established himself as one of wrestling’s hottest young talents as a part of the National Wrestling Alliance, quickly rose through the ranks of AEW due to his nearly untouchable promo ability, his natural charisma, and his incredible athleticism. I don’t think that Starks is this high on Tony Khan’s scouting report, but he should be. He belongs on the same plan as MJF and Page, who will both be megastars for AEW in the years to come.
2) "Hangman" Adam Page
Ability: 9.5/10
Charisma : 9/10
Look: 10/10
Age: 29
Ceiling: Multi-Time AEW World Champion, Face of the Company
The Hangman is perhaps the most over wrestler in the entire company, and with good reason. He has an organic, authentic character with a good theme song and an electric moveset. Simply put: Adam Page is awesome, and he’s ready to breakout and be AEW’s top babyface. I’m hopeful that he will step up to Kenny Omega and continue their rivalry over the AEW World Championship heading into All Out.
1) MJF
Ability: 9/10
Charisma: 10/10
Look: 10/10
Age: 25
Ceiling: Multi-Time AEW World Champion, Face of the Company
Maxwell Jacob Friedman is without a doubt the top prospect in All Elite Wrestling. It’s a shame that he could even still be considered a prospect, as he should have already been given the ball as the company’s top heel last August, when he should have defeated Jon Moxley to become the AEW World Champion. MJF is a 5-Tool Player, and he has absolutely everything it takes to be a megastar. MJF has proved himself in his feuds and matches against Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, and Cody Rhodes, and has already mixed it up well with wrestlers from his own generation, as evidenced by his show-stealing match with Jungle Boy at Double or Nothing 2020. Make no mistake about it: MJF should be AEW’s top star, and, within a few years, I suspect he will be.
** (Disclaimer) Credit for photos as they appear: deadlockpw.com, sescoops.com, ringsidenews.com, weeklygeek.net, 411mania.com, wrestlingnews.co, electricbento.com, electricbento.com, whatculture.com, thescrap.co, twm.news, espn.com, f4wonline.com, sportskeeda.com, ringsidenews.com, wrestlingworld.co, ringsidenews.com, tpww.net, essentiallysports.com, bleacherreport.com.
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