Who is your "Most improved" in AEW?

[Deleted]

They can be either right off the street, for the most part (Jade) or guys who finally got a platform to shine (Garcia) or anything, really.

Jade's MY personal pick, just because you can tell she's putting in the work. She's not putting on 5 star classics and still works best when she's got a vet to carry her, but even carry jobs still need a partner who can listen.

[Kalmia]

Jade's great for her experience level. A lot of wrestlers might have crumbled under the stress and position she's been put in so early on, too.

I think the Acclaimed has done really well, too. Both as personalities and as in-ring talents. They've only been a team for around 18 months but they feel like a team that had years of experience together before AEW even started.

[Fade]

Like recently? Probably Garcia for his character work, ass boys for investing in the fans reaction to them, Yuta obviously, Spears definitely as a character.

[ASYLUMHAUSEN]

I mean, Yuta and Jade pretty much own this shit right now and it’s not even particularly close IMO.

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2022 11:51:36 GMT -5 ASYLUMHAUSEN said:

I mean, Yuta and Jade pretty much own this shit right now and it’s not even particularly close IMO.

Yuta is another great example. I don't know if he was just holding back because he was with the Best Friends or if Regal or Mox or whoever really did see something in him and pull him aside, but my man has discovered the mysterious "5th gear" of intensity that a lot of wrestlers lack, and he's been on a tear ever since.

[asuka007]

Tay Conti still comes to mind.

Wheeler Yuta of course.

[kidkamikaze10]

Yuta, Jade, and honestly? Jon Moxley.

People were not looking forward to Dean Ambrose matches like they are Jon's.

[flowercity]

Maybe not the top example but Anthony Bowens has improved an incredible amount from his debut

[asuka007]

Julia Hart has also improved quite a bit as well.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Both of the Gunn boys have come a long way since their first matches. Now they're a very serviceable midcard heel team that's pretty over.

[Deleted]

See Yutas an interesting one because the booking really made him seem like a star, but he came across as quite plain during Best of the Super Juniors, especially compared to the other North Americans.

My votes Wardlow. His growth into bona-fide potential main event face has been incredible.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Absolutely Scorpio Sky.

Other people like Yuta and Jade have improved more but I didn't doubt that they would if they got used right and before I became a fan I was indifferent to him.

Sky I actively disliked in TNA, couldn't stand when he and SCU became the first tag champs, and found intolerable even once he turned heel.

Then at some point after he joined up with Page, I went from actively detesting him to loving when he showed up to see if he would get his shit ruined to marking out when he kept being an asshole.

How did this happen? HE'S STILL PLAYING PS3 LIKE A HEATHEN

[Bo Rida]

It was MJF, the Punk fued gave him focus in his promos and humanised his character, that carried on into the Wardlow fued. Jury is out on if that continues.

Agree with The Acclaimed, they had a real rough start with weird young buck incest promos and other crap but have settled down.

Honourable mention to QT but that was more finding the right spot on the card.

Another honourable mention to many who improved their physique. Abandon, Jericho and Butcher arguably standing out the most.

[polarbearpete]

MJF, Jade, Hangman.

[Burst]

Physique-wise, in no particular order, Abadon, Jericho, and Butcher as mentioned, but go look at Hobbs when he debuted to Hobbs now and while I wouldn't say it's night and day, dude's definitely added a few more layers of brick to the proverbial house.

[Deleted]

Will Hobbs had really turned it up body and ring psychology wise. His matches post his one with CM Punk have been really good.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Someone who hasn't been mentioned: Skye Blue has come a long way from her debut already.

[Dave the Dave]

I know it’s been a minute, but once she came back from injury, Statlander has been just on fire.

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2022 15:15:18 GMT -5 Dave the Dave said:

I know it’s been a minute, but once she came back from injury, Statlander has been just on fire.

Her match with Red Velvet on Rampage was fantastic, and I'm digging the new look.

[thegatewaydrug]

My pick: Adam Page went from hot in-ring prospect with no character and awkward mid-length hair to bone-afide main event worker and storyteller.

Honorable kudos to Britt Baker for recovering from her abysmal babyface start. The Daily's Place Era atmosphere did wonders for her confidence.

We'll have to revisit this thread in 2026 when HOOK is the master and ruler of the world.