In a little over one year, All Elite Wrestling’s roster of game-changing stars has gone from outcast to The Cast.
It has been a whirlwind path that has struck a chord with fans since 2019, providing a “something for everyone” experience through great storytelling and edge-of-your-seat entertainment—which makes the overall AEW promotion so unique.
What’s ahead? To borrow a term from the collaboration between AEW and Director X… it’s “Boundless.”
Although 2020 has done its best to curtail the momentum, the high-octane star power and wrestling displays have been too great for even the newest fans tuning in to overlook.
Director X, who spoke with FTW about the upcoming, one-of-a-kind AEW series called “Boundless: A History of a Revolution” described it best: “The stuff these guys do in the ring—it’s insane! You turn into a little kid again when you’re actually at one of the matches.”
The feeling has been a mutual admiration for AEW, and one we found to be about as spot-on accurate as some of the incredible leaps from the top ropes. It checks all the boxes you’d hope for in a professional wrestling promotion—or really, longed for in a professional wrestling promotion.
To beat the three count: It rules.
And while the entire lineup deserves a victory lap around Daily’s Place, few can claim supremacy in 2020—in the ring and beyond—like these six talents can…
Jon Moxley
It seems like Moxley’s AEW unveiling at “All or Nothing” back in May of 2019 was only yesterday—which is a strong testament to how polarizing he is and why he continually gets the nod as one of the biggest stars in all of wrestling.
In 2020 however, Moxley’s rule is based on a simple fact that’s hard to ignore: you might get close, but a submission is nearly impossible. He’s currently undefeated, and for 250-plus days and counting, been the AEW World Champion.
He’s been at a constant tug-of-war with the other wrestlers, too, overcoming possible setups (ahem: The Inner Circle) on his way to championship glory. Combine all of it and there hasn’t been a moment when Moxley is anywhere near an AEW competition that hasn’t been must-see TV.
Like this one that even involved a fan!
‘Freshly Squeezed’ Orange Cassidy
While Orange Cassidy might not carry the hardware or overall record in 2020 like a few other wrestlers, his persona is one of the main reasons why AEW is so fun to watch. He’s not the most prominent, strongest figure or clad in spandex and high-laced leather boots. He’s just…cool. And that’s why he’s been one of our favorites in 2020.
In fact, that type of honor isn’t a one-way agreement; the laid-back style and denim with shades have been a substantial fan-favorite.
But don’t be fooled by the Ryan Gosling-esque breeziness; Cassidy’s tormenting “Kicks of Doom” can quickly turn into a textbook definition of a beatdown—something that Chris Jericho learned back in June.
Hikaru Shida
She holds the AEW Women’s World Championship (160-plus days and counting) and is one of the most-dominating stars in the entire AEW lineup. Shida spins style and beauty with all-out terror and athleticism like few can achieve, and it’s been like a mini-series inside the series.
She’s undoubtedly a star.
Beyond the records and breath-stealing knees to her opponent’s chest, though, she hits on a larger scale—a perfect fit that highlights an overall mission AEW works so hard to promote.
Shida’s taking a lot of the narrative that we’ve been accustomed to seeing in professional wrestling—or any male-dominated sport, for that matter—and proving, if you really want it, the dream is there for the taking (or, in the case of the clip below, striking!).
Nyla Rose
Nyla Rose was one of the wrestlers who came to the forefront of the “Boundless” series—that’s her pictured above with Director X from the set—which only adds to her impressive 2020. Although she lost the title to Shida this past May, her original championship belt grab in February was still one of the top performances of the year (you can check it out in the video below), and displayed why she’s such a fun wrestler to watch.
Rose, who is the first openly transgender woman ever in professional wrestling, has a personality and on-camera presence that are uncanny, and provides so much to the AEW promotion—in so many areas that we could probably do another five rankings that just focus on her.
FTR
Spike piledrivers, anyone?
Some of the more jaw-dropping moments during “AEW Dynamite” and the special events come from the tag-team matchups’ athletic marveling. High-flying, powerful, it’s combative art on a canvas ring that garners fan chatter well after the winners are decided.
And at the top of the list is Dax Harwood and Cash Wheel—aka, FTR.
The pair’s brief time on AEW (since last May) has only escalated their reputation as a dual-force in professional wrestling, and it’s not surprising they have held the AEW World Tag Team Champions honor.
Of course, AEW fans might argue that the current champs—The Young Bucks—should get more shine in this instance, which is a fair point.
After watching both, however, we sided with FTR.
For the new fans, well…we’d suggest watching AEW Dynamite Wednesdays 8/7c on TNT, so you can decide for yourself!
Now, about that spike piledriver…