10 Best Wrestlers Of 2023 (So Far)

1. Orange Cassidy

Sami Zayn
AEW

Orange Cassidy may still appear to some to be a direct contrast to Gunther on the other side of the AEW/WWE divide, but even casual observers must now have seen just how similar the two men are.

Gunther might leather his hands across foes' chests instead of shoving them in his pockets, but the intent is the same - use your most devastating weapon to beat your opponent. As International Champion, 'Freshly Squeezed' has remained a cool customer in increasingly trying times, and the bulk of AEW's midcard has fallen in their efforts to dethrone him as a result.

It's a brilliant bit; the supposedly lazy and work-shy wrestler becomes the undisputed workhorse, but the story has become incredibly valuable to the organisation's bottom line. As the company's hardest-working Champion, Orange has elevated the International Title to number two on the AEW podium and thus could prove responsible for Collision having a high-stakes strap to scrap for when MJF doesn't work Saturdays.

This mustn't go forgotten if and when he loses the belt. Defences against Lee Moriarty, Wheeler Yuta, Jay Lethal (twice), Big Bill, Buddy Matthews, Bandido, Dralistico and especially Jeff Jarrett, made for incredible and nerve-wracking television, and his Double Or Nothing mini-match with Swerve Strickland concluded one of the best battle royals in wrestling history.

A tag team with Darby Allin has formed in the interim, and his mounting injuries are well-served by having a partner just as willing to put his body on the line. He's the cheat code for a perfect Dynamite live experience, but the only formula has been hard work in spite of criticism from those on the grift.

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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