10 Best Wrestlers Of 2022

3. Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay
AEW

Will Ospreay is a terrifying professional wrestler. That somebody whose style is as explosive, impactful, and jaw-dropping as the Brit keeps such a busy schedule without letting his quality levels dip shouldn't be possible. Every week, it feels like Ospreay pulls out a Match of the Year candidate in a completely different setting, worked with psychology tailored to his environment, circumstances, and opponent. At 29 years old, he is close to mastering the craft.

That his character has come together so well in 2022 is another reason why his year has felt so satisfying. Where once Will's heel persona felt like an attempt at capturing Conor McGregor's lightning in a bottle, this is no longer the case. Ospreay is unabashedly his own man. With United Empire, he has found his voice, resonating as a pig-ignorant British tourist abroad who also happens to be a world-class in-ring combatant, hitting boisterous, unruly notes in every heel symphony.

Early-year highlights opposite Kazuchika Okada and Michael Oku landed in different ways. The latter, in particular, is an agonising, story-driven drama reminiscent of a territory-era classic with modern window dressing. It is a must-watch, particularly for any remaining Ospreay sceptics, but each of his months had something of a similar calibre.

That's how prolific Will Ospreay has been in 2022. Whether working for NJPW, AEW, RevPro, or somewhere else entirely, he has been informally excellent. ****1/2+ has become a rough night for him.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.