10 Most Badass Wrestlers In The World Today

9. Shayna Baszler

Jon Moxley
WWE

Shayna Baszler's dominance and gritty, un-flashy wrestling style make her a divisive figure amongst NXT fans, though these traits are important parts of why she comes across as such a tough fighter.

'The Queen Of Spades' has now ruled NXT's women's division for well over 400 days, defeating everyone from Ember Moon to Kairi Sane with her merciless MMA/catch wrestling influenced arsenal, snapping limbs with her arm stomps then sending challengers to the shadow realm with her Kirifuda Clutch. Her work is never anything less than 100% convincing. These matches look like real fights, not scripted stunt shows, and it helps that she's among WWE's most menacing performers as well.

Some MMA fighters struggle to project real threat in wrestling's kayfabe world, but not Baszler. She has gone the other way, in fact, feeling more imposing today than at any point in her MMA run.

An occasional reliance on Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir's doesn't hinder Baszler's credibility either. It never feels like she needs the duo to win, so when she calls on them, she looks like the biggest !*$% in NXT. Her character is quite capable of blitzing any challenger without them... but she cheats anyway.

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.