Professional wrestling is currently at an inflection point, with haggard veterans like John Cena, Jon Moxley and Hirooki Goto holding major world championships. However, they’re ready to cede control to a new generation.
As their reigns draw closer to their inevitable end, the next generation of stars seem poised to carry the baton into the latter half of the decade.
In Japan, it’s the Reiwa Era’s “Three Musketeers” in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as well as Pro-Wrestling NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya and Taishi Ozawa.
In Mexico, it’s Templario and Atlantis Jr. of CMLL or El Hijo Del Vikingo in AAA.
In the United Kingdom there’s Michael Oku, Luke Jacobs, and Spain’s Zozaya. Then, there are the rising stars of the American independent circuit, like Mad Dog Connelly or Adam Priest. And, lastly, the rising stars of the two American monoliths, All Elite Wrestling and WWE.
At the end of this decade, though, who will be the 10 best men’s wrestlers in 2030?
Honorable Mentions
Aside from the aforementioned wrestlers that I named across the world, there are a few notable omissions who earned consideration:
HM1. Jacob Fatu: The “Samoan Werewolf” is one of the most incredulous performers in the world, blending super-heavyweight size with cruiserweight agility. And, at only 33 years old, he still has considerable room for improvement.
HM2. Trick Williams: Trick Williams has “it.” The physique, the skill, and the charisma. Albeit, so did his former tag team partner, Carmelo Hayes, who has floundered on the main roster. Unfortunately, I don’t think Trick Williams’ chances will fare much better.
HM3. Dominik Mysterio: If this list were projecting 10 years into the future, as opposed to five, Dominik Mysterio would probably have earned a spot. “Dirty Dom” will need a lot of careful attention and development, before he can become an established main event player.
Our Top 10
10. Kazuchika Okada
AEW
Age in 2030: 42
Match Recommendation: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega (NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 11)
Since his arrival in All Elite Wrestling, Kazuchika Okada has unfortunately become an accessory to The Young Bucks’ saga, replacing his former archrival, Kenny Omega, as a member of The Elite.
While Okada has held the AEW Continental championship for well over 430 days, he hasn’t resembled the world class athlete that dominated New Japan Pro-Wrestling for over a decade. However, his diminishing returns certainly aren’t a reflection of his ability. When the “Rainmaker” is firing on all cylinders, he’s still one of the best performers in all of professional wrestling.
While Okada will be 42 years old in 2030, he’s never been defined by his athletic gifts — instead excelling in pro-wrestling’s subtleties. More importantly, once he’s released from the shackles that are The Young Bucks, I have no doubt that the most prolific IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in NJPW history will set his sights AEW’s top prize.
9. Konosuke Takeshita
AEW / NJPW / DDT
Age in 2030: 35
Match Recommendation: Konosuke Takeshita vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey (MLP: Forged in Excellence)
At only 30 years old, Konosuke Takeshita has already separated himself as one of the 10 most prolific workers in all of professional wrestling — with a sublime blend of size, power, agility, and dexterity.
While the language barrier has always been a glass ceiling for Japanese pro-wrestlers, the mat provides a shared language. Takeshita is a philologist. By 2030, the “Alpha” will be 35-years-old and nearing the peak of his powers; whose relationships with AEW, NJPW, and DDT will assuredly help build an unassailable body of work.
8. Kyle Fletcher
AEW
Age in 2030: 31
Match Recommendation: Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay (AEW: Revolution 2025)
Aptly dubbed “The Protostar,” Kyle Fletcher is the brightest rising star in men’s professional wrestling. At only 26, the Australian–born phenom won major tag team championships across the world as one-half of Aussie Open, before embarking on a singles career in late 2023.
Like his fellow Don Callis Family stablemate, Konosuke Takeshita, Fletcher’s physical gifts are surreal. Billed at 6’3” and 240 lbs., Fletcher’s size and power belies his dexterity — rivaling the likes of Will Ospreay. However, Fletcher has taken a different approach to pro-wrestling, pouring himself into his role as a heel.
In five years time, I have no doubt that “The Protostar” will become the star and a true main event player.
7. “Switchblade” Jay White
AEW
Age in 2030: 37
Match Recommendation: “Switchblade” Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi (NJPW: G1 Climax 29 Final)
“Switchblade” Jay White has much of the same allure as Kazuchika Okada; which is fitting, considering he rose to prominence under the “Rainmaker’s” wing in CHAOS. He’s an exquisite counter puncher, who excels in the ring with any opponent, regardless of their style of inclination. Coupled with his silver tongue and innate charisma, it’s no surprise that White is a former two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
White’s claim on this list is two-fold, though. Over the last six months, Tony Khan has painstakingly reinvented his main event picture around the likes of Will Ospreay, “Hangman” Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, MJF, and Darby Allin.
In his career, the “Switchblade” is 1-2 against Will Ospreay, 6-1 against Page, 2-1 against Strickland, 0-1 against MJF, and 1-0 against Allin.
White seems poised to compete for the AEW World Championship for the foreseeable future. And, at 37-years-old, White will ostensibly be at his apex.
6. Gunther
WWE
Age in 2030: 42
Match Recommendation: WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov (WWE: NXT UK #116)
WWE is far from a haven of quality professional wrestling. Gunther is an oasis, living up to his epithet, “The Ring General.”
While Triple H’s booking has not been kind to the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion as of late, he’s still arguably the most prolific performer in the company’s bullpen. If Gunther can recapture the air of inviolability that he spent over a decade cultivating, then he’ll undoubtedly capture more championship gold and continue to be the WWE’s standard bearer.
5. Swerve Strickland
AEW
Age in 2030: 39
Match Recommendation: Swerve Strickland vs. “Hangman” Adam Page (AEW: Full Gear 2023)
Swerve Strickland has become a foundational force in AEW, whose rise to superstardom has been fueled by his boundless charisma, in-ring acumen, and versatility. Last year, Strickland captured his first (in what I’m sure will be, of many) AEW World Championship, defeating Samoa Joe.
Now, Strickland has become a guiding light and a cornerstone of AEW’s main event picture; whose interpersonal dynamics with “Hangman” Adam Page, Will Ospreay, MJF, and Darby Allin will undoubtedly shape his next five years.
In 2030, Strickland will be 39-years-old; the same age as current superstar’s like Cody Rhodes, Jon Moxley, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins.
4. Bron Breakker
WWE
Age in 2030: 32
Match Recommendation: Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn (WWE: RAW #1629)
Bron Breakker is the prince who was promised.
While he isn’t a Steiner in name, Breakker possesses many of the tools that separated Rick & Scott from the competition. His physical gifts are overwhelming, as is his intensity — repelling of the ropes with a velocity that devastates opponents.
While Breakker previously won the NXT Championship and WWE Intercontinental Championship as a lone warrior, his inclusion in Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman’s dangerous alliance will prove to be an inflection point in his career.
By 2030, Breakker will have transformed from a behemoth into a galaxy-devouring monster, and the WWE’s top superstar.
3. “Hangman” Adam Page
AEW
Age in 2020: 38
Match Recommendation: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Will Ospreay (AEW: Double or Nothing 2025)
I firmly believe that “Hangman” Adam Page is already the most well-rounded professional wrestler in North America. In the ring, he blends the stopping power of Stan Hansen with the athletic prowess of Christopher Daniels. However, Page’s greatest strength is his ability to convey genuine emotion, with a level of depth that rivals the great babyfaces in pro-wrestling history. Page doesn’t galvanize fans with boundless charisma. Instead, he relies on his humanity.
By 2030, Page will be 38 years old and at the peak of his powers, with at least one more championship reign under his belt and more than a dozen phenomenal matches in his catalogue.
2. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
AEW
Age in 2030: 34
Match Recommendation: MJF vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW: Revolution 2023)
The past two years have not been kind to Maxwell Jacob Friedman. His reign as AEW world champion ended haphazardly, after his six-month long saga with Adam Cole was derailed due to injuries. MJF himself was on the shelf for nearly five months after “World’s End” (2023), due to a myriad of injuries. He returned “Double or Nothing” (2024), however his 2024 campaign left much to be desired. While his program with Will Ospreay produced great television, his feuds were mired with frequent absences, due to previous obligations to films like “Happy Gilmore 2” and “The Floaters.”
While the past few months have been a return to form for MJF, there’s still an underlying sentiment that he hasn’t recovered from the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his world title reign. Five years ago, MJF was viewed by many as the fastest rising star in professional wrestling.
MJF is at an impasse. He isn’t professional wrestling’s most prolific young prodigy anymore, but he doesn’t have the gravitas that he did when he won the AEW world championship, either.
In the next five years, I expect MJF to bridge that gap, and become the star he was destined to be. At 34 years old, he’ll be on the cusp of his apex and a dominant force in All Elite Wrestling.
1. Will Ospreay
AEW
Age in 2030: 37
Match Recommendation: Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW: Dynasty 2024)
Will Ospreay is, by his own admission, “on another level.” At only 32-years-old, Ospreay is probably the best pro-wrestler alive; operating on a level that has been seldom seen.
In five years, the “Aerial Assassin” will ostensibly be even better and wiser; with at least one-reign as the AEW World Champion under his belt and another two-dozen five-star affairs, courtesy of Dave Meltzer.
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