10 Most Underrated Wrestlers Of 2023

4. Braun Strowman

Athena underrated
WWE

Much-missed since going down with injury in May, it speaks to how well Braun Strowman's 2023 was going that he could still feature in a list such as this as the calendar year comes to a close.

It wasn't just the instant chemistry in his big man/little man unit with Ricochet that helped the 'Monster Of All Monsters' find his footing again in the company he'd been surprisingly hoofed from in 2021, but a clear and earnest attempt to be his best self in the role away from the oppressive creative shackles placed on him by Vince McMahon. Everybody has great matches with Gunther, but it wasn't just yet another Intercontinental Title banger that secured Braun the critical acclaim that went AWOL for half a decade.

Strowman moved with a zip he'd not had since 2016, bumped with such zeal that it gave Angelo Dawkins a legitimate WrestleMania moment when he stood down the Strowman Express, and provided crucial literal grounding as a partner that 'The One & Only' had needed for years.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett