10 Most Improved Wrestlers On The Planet Today

4. Tommaso Ciampa

Buddy Murphy
WWE.com

Tommaso Ciampa has been an excellent wrestler for years. He's somehow considerably better than even that in 2018, a year in which he hasn't merely restored the old dark art of heeldom, but perfected it. Advanced it.

He is unparalleled in his role.

Ahead of TakeOver: New Orleans, by removing a Johnny Gargano sign from the crowd, he literally wiped his ar*e with how you felt about him. The man just radiates hatred. This is mirrored in his physique; there is not a detectable ounce of body fat on him. His being a pr*ck is both effortless and a 24/7 commitment. He seems to luxuriate in it. And, crucially, he is deeply credible in the role. It doesn't matter how good he is at it. The fans won't detachedly admire him for his brilliance; it's more fun to play along. That is an achievement worth repeating. The cool heel is dead; Ciampa ruined his personal life, insulted his wife, and physically brutalised him to a disturbing extent.

Ciampa would bristle at any notion that he has "improved". He was this great all along, he'd say, and f*ck you for doubting him.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!