10 Best Wrestlers Of 2019 (So Far)

2. Johnny Gargano

Best In The World Johnny Gargano
WWE Network

There are some that resolutely refuse to acknowledge just how good Johnny Gargano is, thanks, presumably, to his iffy promo work and occasionally-unconvincing selling. Your writer once shared those concerns until the arguments became more futile with every passing f*cking amazing five-star classic.

He is, for those that are able to truly feel it, quite possibly the best wrestler in North America.

Nicknamed 'Johnny TakeOver' thanks to the quality of performances on NXT's biggest nights, Gargano lived up to the moniker and then some in 2019, tearing the house down as a sly heel with Ricochet at January's TakeOver: Phoenix before babyfacing himself halfway through a Brooklyn battle with Adam Cole at TakeOver: New York that elevated and enhanced the finisher-trading trope to a hitherto-unseen apex.

Their rematch at TakeOver: XXV was almost as good, which remains perhaps the biggest shock of the year until they potentially top it in what's sure to be a dramatic decider. Now seemingly incapable of having a bad match, beyond TakeOvers, Gargano offered his body to cocaine classic Halftime Heat after offering his mind to a Tommaso Ciampa programme that will surely find its final chapter when the former champion returns.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett