10 Most Badass Wrestlers In The World Today

8. Nick Gage

Jon Moxley
GCW/Twitter, @thekingnickgage

WWE and AEW clearing out the independents left a big, empty hole that deathmatch wrestling has slotted into nicely over the past few years, with the scene undergoing a mini-renaissance as the sport's smaller stages rebuild in the talent raid's fallout. Game Changer Wrestling Champion Nick Gage is at the forefront of this movement, though his prominence precedes the surge by several years.

There's nothing fake about 'The King.' All missing teeth, scars, and obscenities, the Gage that steps through the ropes is the same Gage that was put away for bank robbery in 2010 and sentenced to five years in 2011. This scary, scary dude isn't playing a character but bringing an authentic version of his true self to the squared circle, and his aura is such that when he cracks light tubes over skulls and slams opponents in razorwire, you can imagine him going to those lengths in real life.

Gage is revered on the indies. He's a god to almost every crowd he performs for, and his crowds demand badassery. Only Japanese standout Masashi Takeda holds a candle to him amongst his deathmatch peers in this regard.

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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.