10 Most Improved Wrestlers On The Planet Today

2. Emma

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Emma's dodgy dancing was so over during her initial NXT run that it resulted in a premature main roster call-up. It was also so likeable that, much like the more widely-touted Bayley, a heel turn was inconceivable.

But turn heel she did, after her failure on the big stage and the embarrassing shoplifting incident at a Walmart store in 2014.

Her transformation has been remarkable. Transitioning from a dork into a sultry submission specialist, Emma in the heel role was one half of the sleeper women's match of the year against Asuka at NXT TakeOver: London, during which she gamely and smoothly threw herself around the ring to sell for her more formidable opponent.

She does the little things incredibly well. Even when simply whipping her foes into the turnbuckle, she'll sell the force applied by slamming herself into the mat. Her back injury could not have been suffered at a more inopportune time - her stellar reinvention had just been recognised with a second main roster promotion.

Similarly to Becky Lynch, Emma can veer between the face and heel spectrum with astonishing ease, marking her as one of the most versatile and useful members of the Women's division - in which she surely cannot remain unheralded for too much longer.

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!