10 Most Over Wrestlers In The World Right Now

2. Roman Reigns

HOOK AEW
WWE.com

Yes, he must be acknowledged.

Roman Reigns is easily in the top three pro wrestling draws of 2022, benefitting as he does from WWE's prominent exposure.

That's the kicker, though. WWE's profile in itself ensures that the top draw in the industry is contracted to that company. Reigns however isn't just the most-pushed act in a promotion in which the brand itself is the pull; with him on top, SmackDown easily and consistently wins the demo on Friday nights. Given the dismal lack of depth on that roster, the show's considerable success is pretty much exclusively down to him. It doesn't seem to matter how many pies are thrown, storylines are dropped, or deliberately sh*tty comedy is penned: Reigns is the act that routinely swings the wrestling war in WWE's favour.

But WWE muddies the concept of being over because the crowds are more often than not as flat as an envelope. Reigns wakes them up, because he's Roman Reigns, but those crowds aren't white hot. It's a fantasy to suggest otherwise.

On a level relative to the audience, strictly in terms of gains, he's not quite the one...

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Contributor
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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!