10 Best Wrestlers Of 2022 (So Far)

7. CM Punk

CM Punk
AEW

CM Punk's current absence from AEW television and apparent inability to land the Buckshot Lariat should not obscure that prior to injuring himself, 'The Best in the World' had refound himself as something close to just that.

Pre-injury, 2022 appeared to be the year that Punk's body once again caught up to his mind. He delivered great work in 2021, particularly opposite Darby Allin and Eddie Kingston, though seven years of inactivity had taken a clear toll on his gas tank. This was apparent in his bouts' latter stages, albeit rarely to their detriment: if anything, that Punk's exhausted, bedraggled state was real added to the drama.

Broken foot aside, CM Punk, in 2022, has never given the impression of a wrestler playing catch-up with himself. The MJF and 'Hangman' Adam Page feuds, as well as fantastic one-ff singles bouts with Dustin Rhodes and Dax Harwood, hammer this home.

He is as sharp-tongued and magnetic as ever on the microphone and remains not only AEW's most over wrestler, but its biggest quarter-hour ratings draw too. The promotion misses him dearly in every sense. Punk, the most intelligent wrestler of his generation, is having the kind of comeback run others can only dream of.

Advertisement
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.