Most Improved of 2022 (so far)?

[The Ichi]

Just as the title says. Who do you think has made the biggest improvement this year so far?

I think I'd say Max Caster, which is weird because he's not doing that much different but he's working really well as a face. It helps that he's dialed down on the shock-humour with his raps whilst still keeping the edge to them.

[CeilingFan]

Wardlow.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

If they win tomorrow, I gotta throw Alex Reynolds into the mix

Dude was the go to Dark Order jobber and he might become a champion, and in pinning Malakai in round one, is a big reason they might.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

The Ass Boys

[Cyno]

The Acclaimed. I predicted Bowens would make for a really good face, but Caster is much better in the role than I thought he'd be. Caster's also refined his rap gimmick to be less cringe but still really funny.

Powerhouse Hobbs. As much as I liked him as the enforcer of Team Taz, he's really shining on his own as a monster heel. I'm not going to put Ricky here as I don't think he had much to improve on to begin with (he's already really damned good), but this feud has the potential to raise both to an upper card/world title level. Hoping their blood feud match steals the show tomorrow.

Daniel Garcia. He was always a solid technical wrestler, especially for someone his age, but the BCC-JAS feud has helped his personality really come out, complete with the teasing face turn and potentially becoming the apprentice of Bryan f***ing Danielson.

2point0 - Joining the JAS and changing their names from Matt Lee and Jeff Parker to "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard and "Cool Hand" Angelo Parker has done so much for them. They're a great comedy heel tag-team who can also be really vicious when they need to be.

Wheeler Yuta - Another "just there" guy who really came into his own with joining the BCC.

[Deleted]

Jamie Hayter has gone from annoying sidekick to must see act.

Jade Cargill's progress is still impressive considering her complete lack of experience. Goldberg in more ways than one.

On the mic: Ricky Starks, in the ring: Tony Nese.

[Allie Kitsune]

I'm biased, but I'm also throwing a point towards Max Caster (For as much as I liked Max before, Bowens was carrying the team).

[thegatewaydrug]

That up-and-comer Sting has shone some flashes of greatness this year so far! (He might be as good as that ol' timer Robert Filet O. Fish someday.)

But seriously, echoing all thoughts for 2.0, Garcia, Hayter, and the Acclaimed. They've all definitely made up ground on last year's breakout stars Shida and Jungle Boy.

Oddly, FTR have also done a ton to prove their status as 'top guys' through incredible promo chops. People knew they were a well-oiled team and fantastic rasslers, but who knew they had this run in them as incredible babyfaces?!

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Benchmarks to note for 2023's potential most improved: Hook's first match was in December 2021. Anna Jay turned heel in July 2022.

[kingoftheindies]

The Acclaimed have gone from an act that many kind of rolled their eyes at to being one of the most popular acts in AEW.

I do think though if you look at where he was even when JAS started to now, it has to be Daniel Garcia

[thehottag]

Jamie Hayter should absolutely be their next big breakout star, her rise has been huge.

[Mayonnaise]

I'm going to second a mention of FTR. They've gone from being a great tag team to an All Time Elite one (pardon the pun).

[sushiburrito]

Sept 3, 2022 15:52:35 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

If they win tomorrow, I gotta throw Alex Reynolds into the mix

Dude was the go to Dark Order jobber and he might become a champion, and in pinning Malakai in round one, is a big reason they might.

So If DO doesn’t win he’s not most improved?

[Lizuka #BLM]

I'm going to give it to the Acclaimed, they've gone from dudes I'd mute or change the channel if they opened their mouths to being an act I genuinely look forward to seeing.

[Celgress]

The Acclaimed, IMHO. Although I have always been a fan they have certainly upped their game in 2022.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Sept 3, 2022 18:56:32 GMT -5 sushiburrito said:

Sept 3, 2022 15:52:35 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

If they win tomorrow, I gotta throw Alex Reynolds into the mix

Dude was the go to Dark Order jobber and he might become a champion, and in pinning Malakai in round one, is a big reason they might.

So If DO doesn’t win he’s not most improved?

He's improved, but adding a title to that would probably push him to a "Most Improved" from where he started, which was taking L's to the likes of Brodie King in 2 minutes

And he's really held his own against top competition lately, I think the beard has a lot to do with it

[Facetious]

Sept 3, 2022 18:39:54 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

I'm going to second a mention of FTR. They've gone from being a great tag team to an All Time Elite one (pardon the pun).

Yeah, they def found their stride this year. They've always been good, but it feels like they found IT.

[Jonathan Coachman]

The Gunn Club

[Mozenrath]

Acclaimed, maybe. I feel like they are much more interesting as faces, though some of that is because they got really lazy with "every match ends with Max's chain or the boombox as a foreign object" endings, whereas as faces, we get to see them, you know, do things that are interesting.

[Fade]

The Acclaimed..really haven’t improved. And I say that as someone that’s loved ‘em from the jump. They’re just faces now lol. The ass boyz and the rap videos might have gone a ways in connecting with people though.

FTR improved from their already solid act.

Looking through the roster, I’d say Hobbs, Garcia, and Yuta. In that order.

There’s an argument for 2.0 as well.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Gunn Club have ended up a really good heel tag team.

Max Caster has really come into his own, he was the loudmouth that was being carried in ring by Bowens.

FTR have found that next level thanks to their ability to cut compelling promos.

2point0 were always good but they've really established just how great they are.

Other honourable mentions are Hobbs, Garcia & Yuta. Hopefully Moriarty can take that next step as well.