10 Hidden Gem Wrestlers That Would Blow AEW Fans’ Minds

7. Yuki Ueno

Yuki Ueno
DDT

A strong Wrestler of the Year candidate for anyone with an eye on DDT, Yuki Ueno's in-ring body of work is as impressive as anybody's in 2021, with the 26-year-old following an acclaimed 2020 tag run with Nautilus partner Naomi Yoshimura with an incredible reign as the CyberFight-helmed promotion's Universal Champion.

Ueno's in-ring standards haven't faltered this year. Highlight matches against Yusuke Okada, Yukio Sakaguchi, and more have elevated his can't-miss status, and now, with the D-Ou Grand Prix looming, bouts with Jun Akiyama, Yuji Hino, and Yoshimura could send him stratospheric.

Blessed with a burning babyface spirit not dissimilar to his DDT progenitor Kota Ibushi, Ueno is destined to soar to the promotion's top level before long. He is a smart, adaptable, and creative wrestler who can fly, dash, and dive when required, but mix it up on the ground too, imparting everything he does with splashes of personality.

Few on the promotion's roster are as well-suited to an AEW excursion, though it'd be nice if Ueno stuck around longer than rostermate Konosuke Takeshita did earlier this year.

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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.