20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

17. Io Shirai

Best in the world 2021
WWE.com

NXT still has the best women's division in American wrestling, but the best women's matches currently taking place on American television are going down in AEW.

This was unforeseen. While AEW's division isn't as talent-rich as WWE's, improved focus on performers like Britt Baker, Serena Deeb, and Thunder Rosa, and the Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament are yielding great results for the oft-criticised scene. Only Raquel Gonzalez and Rhea Ripley's barnstorming Last Woman Standing match has hit similar peaks for NXT in 2021.

Is any of this Io Shirai's fault? No, not really, and she's still one of the best wrestlers in the world regardless of gender. She just isn't being given the opportunity to show it with the same regularity as in 2020. TakeOver: Vengeance Day's Triple Threat with Mercedes Martinez and Toni Storm was fine, but messy, and not to the same standard as Shirai's other big matches.

Fortunately, this should be addressed over the coming months. A pure singles feud with Storm and potential Gonzalez rivalry will put Shirai back on the elite level she belongs at. For now, though, she can't finish higher than this.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.