Does AEW have the best current roster in Pro Wrestling?

[Doo Doo Dickhead]

Oct 3, 2023 14:12:06 GMT -5 Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story said:

Men's roster, yes. Women's roster, no.

Oct 3, 2023 14:59:47 GMT -5 @slickrickstyles said:

Mens yes...womens? No

Agreed, although I think the women's division is quite talented in its own right.

[Cyno]

Yeah, even if we're completely agnostic on the booking and throw in ROH's side of things, WWE's women's roster has way more depth and names than AEW's. Though I'll give credit for AEW having a true trailblazer in Nyla Rose being the first trans woman to hold the top women's championship in a major US promotion. Not bad by any means, but WWE's is better.

[Lizuka #BLM]

I kind of prefer WWE's, just too many people in AEW I really don't care about at all, but it is a very strong lineup.

[yokohamacpfc]

Oct 3, 2023 6:54:26 GMT -5 clifford said:

Yes, and there's a strong arguement that it's the greatest collection of talent on one roster of all time.

Early 1999 WCW for me, Hogan, Flair, Savage, Bret, Goldberg, Booker, Outsiders, Raven, Jericho, Benoit, Rey, Eddie, DDP and more…

No revisionist history here, WWF were hotter and deserved the win but how do you have that roster and lose to a company that botched the higher power angle and put its secondary title on dorks like Venis and Road Dogg.

A testament to how good Rock and Austin were and how bad Nash and Bischoff were at booking at that time.

[Bo Rida]

Oct 3, 2023 16:50:59 GMT -5 Doo Doo Dickhead said:

Oct 3, 2023 14:12:06 GMT -5 Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story said:

Men's roster, yes. Women's roster, no.

Oct 3, 2023 14:59:47 GMT -5 @slickrickstyles said:

Mens yes...womens? No

Agreed, although I think the women's division is quite talented in its own right.

It's a weird one, almost Schrödinger’s roster. They theoretically have all the below who can, and indeed have, main evented around the world.

Hayter, Deeb, Athena, Billie Starkz, Yuka, Riho, Thunder Rosa, Emi and probably Mercedes Mone.

However you're unlikely to see any of them on aew programming in the next few weeks for various reasons.
Even with them there's a strong argument they're the 4th best women's roster.

However because Japanese promotions are mostly single gendered only aew and WWE can really be in contention for overall best roster on sheer numbers.

Although some would disagree and only count the very top stars rather than strength in depth. Then there's the question of how to judge someone like Cena, name value and history Vs what he brings to a show today. Or if you can you separate a roster's talent from their booking?

Eh. Anyway to me yes, it's easily aew. Especially if you include semi-regular guests.

[Deleted]

Best mens? I would give you that one

Best womens? nope hell not even WWE does unless we really get technical and just boil it down to strictly NA because the anwser is and has been STARDOM as the best womens wrestling roster for the better part of what nearly 2 decades now.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I think if AEW signs Mercedes Mone to the division, the women's division definitely sees an uptick in the roster from top to bottom. WWE has more star power there but I have to argue about the depth and how they only push like 4-5 girls prominently at a time for people to care about, that's a problem on their end. NXT's women's roster I'd argue uses their roster of girls better.

That being said, all around? I think they have the best roster in wrestling, it's one of the best collection of talents I've ever seen anywhere, and they might only continue to add to it

[Cyno]

Oct 3, 2023 22:01:10 GMT -5 @sigmax said:

Best mens? I would give you that one

Best womens? nope hell not even WWE does unless we really get technical and just boil it down to strictly NA because the anwser is and has been STARDOM as the best womens wrestling roster for the better part of what nearly 2 decades now.

In terms of quality, Impact I think can compete with WWE and AEW, too on the women's side. Definitely not in quantity for obvious reasons, but I'd put Trinity, Mickie James, Deonna Purrazzo, Masha Slamovich, and Killer Kelly on par with the top talent of either larger promotion.

[Fade]

Oct 3, 2023 17:19:19 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

I kind of prefer WWE's, just too many people in AEW I really don't care about at all, but it is a very strong lineup.

As far as promos and characters, im way more invested in ppl in WWE, than I am currently with people in AEW. But what’s weird is i also think AEW prbly has the better overall roster. I echo the size of AEW thing.

[Mozenrath]

Oct 3, 2023 22:01:10 GMT -5 @sigmax said:

Best mens? I would give you that one

Best womens? nope hell not even WWE does unless we really get technical and just boil it down to strictly NA because the anwser is and has been STARDOM as the best womens wrestling roster for the better part of what nearly 2 decades now.

I mean, I'd certainly hope so given it's an all-women company. If they weren't handily beating AEW, WWE, Impact, etc, there, I'd be deeply concerned for their future. I do think TJPW sometimes wins out for personality, but if we're talking raw power in skillful women wrestlers, Stardom is handily the top choice.

[Non Banjoble Tokens]

No, I'd say my current fantasy booking of Global Wrestling Federation has the best roster.

EC3, Chris Adonis, Fred Rosser, Erick Redbeard, Matt Cardona, and JTG as the current World Champion? Also, Jennacide, Mazzerati, Racheal Ellering, and Jamie Senegal in the women's division?

Oh Fat Tony, I will say good day to you sir.

[CeilingFan]

If AEW can sign Mercedes Mone to a contract, then the roster will be perfect!

[polarbearpete]

If talking about in-ring only then I think you could argue they have the best men’s roster. Women’s roster would go to WWE.

Overall men and women, including character, promos, starpower, I’d probably lean WWE at this point.

[mc74]

Oct 3, 2023 10:38:48 GMT -5 Kalmia said:

I think from a pure in ring standpoint they might. The match quality of the PPVs are pretty insane these days.

If you take in everything else such as promo ability, characters, name recognition etc then that's a more difficult argument.

That's my take on it. If we're talking in-ring ability, no question. But when it comes to characters and star quality, that's a whole different story.

[mc74]

Oct 3, 2023 9:55:58 GMT -5 Denny Zen is Cooking™ said:

For my personal tastes, absolutely. I think AEW as it currently exists is the single best professional wrestling roster of all time. And that's compounded by working agreements with Japanese and Mexican promotions that only expand the talent pool for the supercards.

WWE's roster from about 2001-2003 was also insane, and its current roster (especially when factoring in NXT) is amazing, so I can totally understand why people who are not as workrate-oriented may prefer those rosters, but AEW right now is the pinnacle for me as a wrestling fan.

WWE's roster during the early days of the Ruthless Aggression era was something to behold. I'd personally rank that among the top 3.

[Bo Rida]

Oct 3, 2023 11:04:09 GMT -5 chazraps said:

Oct 3, 2023 6:54:26 GMT -5 clifford said:

Yes, and there's a strong arguement that it's the greatest collection of talent on one roster of all time.

I think that'd be March 2002 WWF.

The AEW current roster is an all-timer though.

There's no beating that 2002 roster.
Yet it's often seen as a low creatively with big stars leaving and using all that talent for such great angles as Katie Vick.

Suppose that proves it's not the strength of a roster but how they're used which is most important.

Also makes star power a tricky concept especially when comparing eras, Scott Hall, Batista and The Dudleys sound great but the reality was Scott was in no shape to wrestle, the Dudley's were split up and deacon Batista wasn't exactly the star he'd go onto be.

Not that it makes much difference to 2002's overall strength but does show that big names on paper aren't always a true reflection.

[Jindrak Mark]

Oct 3, 2023 11:04:09 GMT -5 chazraps said:

Oct 3, 2023 6:54:26 GMT -5 clifford said:

Yes, and there's a strong arguement that it's the greatest collection of talent on one roster of all time.

I think that'd be March 2002 WWF.

Wouldn't March 2003 be even stronger? You do lose like Scott Hall, DDP and Mr. Perfect but you gain Shawn Michaels, Goldberg, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero and Scott Steiner. Brock is now a main eventer instead of a just debuted rookie. The likes of Cena/Orton/Batista are now hot rising stars. Benjamin/Haas were great additions too. And you still have all the top stars from 02 (Rock, Austin, Hogan, HHH, Taker, Angle, Jericho, etc) even if Austin is about to retire and Rock is almost done.

[CeilingFan]

MJF gives his opinion

twitter.com/KXNGAO/status/1708710070362538444

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

right now yeah but i wouldn't call it a slam dunk. there's some other places that got fantastic rosters but much worse booking so who is to say?


all time though, nooooooooooooooooooooo way. we don't live in an age of wrestling where any all time roster could be created. maybe in the future but nah not right now

[simplydurhamcalling]

All time I don't think anything will top WWE 2002/3 now. That's not just from a star power perspective but in ring too.

Right now in terms of an overall "pro-wrestler" package i.e. promo quality, star power, psychology and in ring technical ability I'd give it to WWE.

In terms of solely in ring workrate then I would go with AEW. They have Bryan Danielson.