20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

11. Finn Balor

Best in the world 2021
WWE

Something about the 'Prince' tag brings out the best in Finn Balor, who is currently in the best form of his WWE career as NXT Champion, calling back to the tempestuous New Japan run that put him and Bullet Club on the map years ago.

It would be nice if NXT creative would stop scripting promos about cats and mice, admittedly, but the occasional corny line can't dull Balor's shine. He is a very serious man entering very serious work on a brand that's now one part grimdark, one part Lucha Underground wackiness. The Prince stands out from both of these. It's his simple, effective presentation as a hard-as-nails pro wrestler that distinguishes him from the cartoon monsters, flippydoos, and thousand-year-old dragons, and his title matches have been exquisite.

Stripped of the melodrama that has taken over the NXT main event scene in recent years, Balor's clashes with Kyle O'Reilly and Pete Dunne were intense, stiff, and torturous. Both stand as shining examples of how Finn is currently outdoing even his excellent first run as NXT Champion.

Channel Manager
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.