20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

8. Daniel Bryan

Best in the world 2021
WWE.com

At this stage in his career, it's unquestionable that Daniel Bryan is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Even with his lengthy, injury-enforced retirement, the SmackDown star's body of work is deeper than all but the absolute deepest, and that he still stands out as one of the best in the world without the opportunity to work several lengthy singles matches every month (as is the case these days) is testament to his greatness.

What Bryan is able to accomplish with smaller opportunities is what makes him a wrestling genius. Though he and Cesaro wrestled for just four minutes on 5 February, they still produced a more detailed, exciting match than most wrestlers would with triple the runtime, and his Elimination Chamber 2021 mini-match with Roman Reigns was a similar triumph. 96 seconds yielded more than enough heart-in-mouth drama to elevate their bout beyond typical squash territory.

There are hundreds of wrestlers working today who are capable of producing something great within 15 minutes or more. Very few, however, can accomplish so much with so little. It's this trait that makes every tiny thing Bryan does in WWE must-see.

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.