10 Most Improved Wrestlers On The Planet Today

5. Luke Gallows

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Gallows as Festus was one of WWE's worst-ever characters. With offense as basic as his simpleton character, Gallows also had a wobbly physique and the bald head, hair-round-the-back-and-sides look beloved of middle-aged bank managers. He was in his mid-twenties at the time.

Famously touted by close friend CM Punk, his reimagining saw the slimmed-down and shaven-headed Gallows drafted into CM Punk's sadly short-lived Straight Edge Society stable, but a feud between the two men was over before it started. Punk decisively defeated him before he was released from his contract shortly thereafter.

Like Matt 'Giant Bernard' before him, Gallows headed East after a dismal TNA run in order to develop his in-ring skills and partner Karl Anderson to considerable success in the soubles division. They enjoyed several reigns with the prestigious IWGP tag straps, one of which extended to a full year.

Gallows in New Japan Pro Wrestling worked on his agility and expanded his repertoire to incorporate an impossibly high roundhouse kick, and was also encouraged to work far more stiffly - as a result of which he finally furnished himself with the elusive hard man aura his size almost necessitated.

He and Anderson have been somewhat outclassed by The Revival since their subdued arrival in WWE, but given more time than the paltry 09:11 they were allocated at SummerSlam, they are capable of recapturing the NJPW form which saw them reach the **** level against Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma in February.

Contributor
Contributor

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!