20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

7. Zack Sabre Jr.

Daniel Bryan Best In The World
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After a year of New Japan elevation in 2018, Zack Sabre Jr. kicked off 2019 by climbing another rung on the promotion's talent, ladder, taking the RevPro British Heavyweight Title from Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestle Kingdom 13. The moment is bigger than the belt. After having him win the New Japan Cup, letting him have one of Kazuchika Okada's IWGP Heavyweight Title defences, and then positioning the Brit as one of the G1 Climax's biggest highlights, NJPW bestowed ZSJ with another weighty accolade - a title win inside the hallowed Tokyo Dome.

All these things position him among the promotion's most important gaijin, and if The Elite are gone forever, he'll only soar higher throughout 2019.

Sabre has been the best technical wrestler in the world for years, and his formula is so foolproof you can slot almost any opponent into it and a great bout will emerge. NJPW present him in his best like. A gloriously c*nty heel, Sabre's promos are hilarious, his transitions effortlessly fluid, and his submission work nasty. Cornerman TAKA Michinoku completes his act and breaks down the language barrier, clearing ZSJ for a run that should see him touch Intercontinental Title glory by year end.

2018 ranking: 10.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.