The 30 Best Professional Wrestlers Under 30 Years Old of 2025: Analysis by Alofoke Deportes
The third installment of ESPN’s list of the 30 best professional wrestlers under 30 years old presents a fascinating overview of the emerging talent in the world of wrestling. Several stars did not meet the age limit, paving the way for new figures. This year’s ranking includes representatives from WWE, AEW, CMLL, Stardom, TNA, NJPW, NOAH, and AAA.
The ranking is based on merit, considering drawing power, popularity, skills, position on the card, and achievements, including championships and tournament victories.
1. Dominik Mysterio
Age: 28 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: 1
Rey Mysterio’s son has managed to step out of his father’s shadow. Dominik leads the list for the second consecutive year, thanks to his constant improvement in the ring and his skill with the microphone. He has known how to build his own path in professional wrestling, establishing himself as a heel who receives great reactions from the public. His simultaneous reign with the WWE Intercontinental and AAA Mega titles demonstrates his impact in both promotions. Despite losing the Intercontinental championship, Dominik maintains his momentum, being the perfect heel who enjoys provoking his father and evoking the memory of Eddie Guerrero. With Rey in his 50s, the family rivalry promises to be epic.
2. Kyle Fletcher
Kyle Fletcher tuvo una destacada actuación en AEW este año, consolidándose como uno de los mejores talentos jóvenes de la lucha libre profesional.Age: 26 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: 8
Fletcher had an exceptional 2025, fueled by the momentum of the previous year. Following the injury of his teammate, Mark Davis, as a singles wrestler, Fletcher took his game to another level. He stood out by defeating Dustin Rhodes in a street fight to become AEW TNT Champion. His skills on the microphone and his ability to adapt to different wrestling styles make him a complete wrestler. His match against AEW World Champion, “Hangman” Adam Page, at All Out, is an example of his potential.
3. Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley es excampeona mundial femenina de la WWE en dos ocasiones.
Age: 29 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: 4
Ripley, the female wrestler of the year 2023 according to ESPN, already has achievements worthy of the Hall of Fame. Before her dominance on the main WWE roster, where she has been three-time women’s world champion, Ripley reigned in NXT and NXT UK, securing the women’s championships in both brands. Her success is evident in the celebration of her championship with The Undertaker.
4. MJF
Age: 29 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: 2
MJF is a unique talent, an exceptional speaker who also excels in the ring. His 2025 was full of memorable moments: he won a Casino Gauntlet Match to get a contract for the world title, tricked the AEW world champion, “Hangman” Adam Page, to execute that contract and threatened to burn Mark Briscoe if Page didn’t reinstate the contract. He convinced The Hurt Syndicate to accept him as a member. He traveled to Mexico to defeat and unmask Místico from CMLL. In addition, he appeared with The Sandman in “Happy Gilmore 2” and co-starred in “Violent Night 2”. For these reasons and for his incredible matches, MJF remains the best.
Age: 26 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: 18
Stratton had an incredible 2025, winning 24 matches before Stephanie Vaquer ended her undefeated streak at Crown Jewel in October. Weeks later, Stratton lost the WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill at “Saturday Night’s Main Event”. Although the end was sudden, no one can deny Stratton’s achievements in 2025.
6. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker es excampeón Intercontinental de la WWE en dos ocasiones.
Age: 28 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: 11
The union of Bron Breakker with Paul Heyman was inevitable, and it finally happened. Breakker and Heyman were part of “The Vision”, but Breakker and Reed attacked The Visionary, marking an important heel moment for Breakker, who lost the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 41. This second-generation star is expected to headline WrestleMania in the future.
7. Blake Monroe
Age: 27 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: 5
Monroe began the year as Mariah May in AEW, then became Blake Monroe in NXT, where she had an association, and then a rivalry, with Jordynne Grace. Monroe won the NXT Women’s North American Championship at Halloween Havoc. She is a charismatic heel and a wrestler to watch in WWE.
8. Oba Femi
Age: 27 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: Unranked
Although Femi was expected to be promoted to the main roster after losing the NXT title, he recently returned to NXT to challenge Saints for the title, solidifying his status as an imposing figure. His promo proved that he is much more than a “big man”.
9. Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez subió 11 puestos, del número 20 del año pasado al número 9 en la lista de los 30 menores de 30 de este año.
Age: 24 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: 20
Perez is one of four women to become NXT Women’s Champion on multiple occasions. She quickly made an impact on the WWE main roster, joining The Judgment Day and becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Raquel Rodriguez. She holds the record for time in a Women’s Royal Rumble. Perez, along with Toni Storm, was the 2024 Women’s Wrestler of the Year according to ESPN.
10. Leon Slater
Age: 21 years old Promotion: TNA Position in 2024: Unranked
Slater’s greatest achievement this year was having AJ Styles return to TNA to crown him X Division champion at Slammiversary.
11. Je’Von Evans
Je’Von Evans, de 21 años, es uno de los dos luchadores más jóvenes de la lista de los 30 menores de 30.
Age: 21 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: Unranked
Evans has been building a strong base in NXT, including a rivalry with Ethan Page and a title match with Oba Femi. He recently debuted on “SmackDown”, facing Sami Zayn for the United States title. His presentation is authentic, and his skill and potential in the ring are generational.
12. The Viking’s Son
Age: 28 years old Promotion: AAA Position in 2024: 13
The Viking’s aerial ability seems impossible, although injuries slowed him down a bit in 2025. However, he had memorable performances, especially after WWE bought AAA in April. His match with Chad Gable at Worlds Collide is an example of his talent. He recently turned heel, which could take him to new heights in 2026.
13. Kaito Kiyomiya
Age: 29 years old Promotion: NOAH/NJPW Position in 2024: 12
Kiyomiya has been considered the future of Pro Wrestling NOAH since his debut. His performance in 2024 was difficult to surpass, but his 2025 was full of confrontations against rivals like Ozawa and Inamura. Kiyomiya is a key figure in NOAH’s main events.
14. Gabe Kidd
Age: 28 years old Promotion: NJPW Position in 2024: 24
Kidd had an epic battle against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom and memorable matches against Tomohiro Ishii, Yota Tsuji, Michael Oku, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and Konosuke Takeshita. His talent was shown to the American public when AEW used him in August. Kidd is special and ready to shine in 2026.
15. Lyra Valkyria
Lyra Valkyria fue la primera campeona Intercontinental Femenina de la WWE.
Age: 29 years old Promotion: WWE Position in 2024: Unranked
Valkyria is establishing herself in WWE. In 2025, she became the first WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. At WrestleMania 41, she won the Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Becky Lynch. She had a strange relationship with Bayley. Valkyria has the potential to be one of the best in the women’s division.
16. Sareee
Age: 29 years old Promotion: NJPW Position in 2024: Unranked
Sareee, known as “Sarray” in NXT, is one of the best female wrestlers in the world. She won the IWGP Women’s Championship in an epic match against Syuri. Although she lost the title in October, Sareee continues to stand out in the Joshi scene.
17. Saya Kamitani
Age: 28 years old Promotion: Stardom/NJPW Position in 2024: Unranked
Kamitani is the complete wrestler, leading the villainous faction H.A.T.E. She headlined the most attended event in Stardom’s history, where she defeated her mentor, Tam Nakano. Kamitani is the center of Stardom in 2025.
18. Mascara Dorada 2.0
Age: 24 years old Promotion: CMLL/AEW Position in 2024: 19
Dorada had impressive matches in CMLL and AEW. He stood out in a triple threat match at AEW All Out. He is very athletic and can adapt to any match. He has not yet reached his peak.
19. Sol Ruca
Age: 26 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: Unranked
Ruca has great potential and a striking finishing move. She became a champion in NXT. Ruca, Rookie of the Year 2023 according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated, has a promising future on the main roster.
20. Jordynne Grace
Jordynne Grace es tres veces campeona mundial de TNA Knockouts.
Age: 29 years old Promotion: TNA/WWE Position in 2024: 16
Grace, a TNA legend and three-time Knockouts champion, signed with NXT and participated in the Women’s Royal Rumble. In NXT, she had a program with Blake Monroe, which culminated in a victory at No Mercy.
21. Daniel Garcia
Age: 27 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: 9
Garcia is an inventive technical wrestler. He is a natural heel who uses his dance to generate rejection. He joined the Jericho Appreciation Society and recently Jon Moxley’s Death Riders.
22. Jack Perry
Age: 28 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: 7
Perry dropped down the rankings due to his absence in 2025. Following his return at All Out, Perry abandoned his heel persona and reformed Jurassic Express with Luchasaurus, returning to his babyface roots. A tag team victory over The Young Bucks suggests that Perry could have a significant role in AEW in 2026.
23. Hook
Hook cayó seis puestos, del puesto 17 en 2024 al puesto 23 en la lista de este año.
Age: 26 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: 17
Son of ECW legend Taz. Hook has the look and the in-ring skills. However, he has failed to establish himself as a star. He has moved from team to team without standing out.
24. Megan Bayne
Age: 27 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: Unranked
Bayne has a personality that makes her stand out. In April, she fought for the AEW Women’s World Championship against Toni Storm. She also showed courage in the first women’s Blood and Guts match. She is likely to compete for the title in 2026.
25. Starlight Kid
Age: 24 years old Promotion: Stardom Position in 2024: Unranked
Starlight Kid has charisma and a connection with the public. She spent a large part of 2025 as Artist of Stardom and Wonder of Stardom champion. She led her Neo Genesis faction. Starlight Kid is crucial to the present and future of Stardom.
26. Kevin Knight
Age: 28 years old Promotion: AEW Position in 2024: Unranked
Before forming JetSpeed, Knight participated in the NJPW Super J-Cup. Along with Kushida, he formed the Intergalactic Jet Setters team and became a two-time IWGP junior tag team champion. Although JetSpeed did not win the AEW tag team championships, Knight’s talent is undeniable.
27. Axiom
Age: 27 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: Unranked
The Madrid wrestler formed Fraxiom with Nathan Frazier. They were NXT tag team champions. Axiom was reintroduced on “SmackDown” against Ilja Dragunov. After this match, his name became known.
28. Kelani Jordan
Kelani Jordan es excampeona Norteamericana Femenina de NXT.
Age: 27 years old Promotion: NXT Position in 2024: Unranked
After becoming the first NXT North American Women’s Champion, Jordan won the TNA Knockouts World Championship. Her athleticism and microphone skills, especially as a heel, bode well for her future.
29. Shota Umino
Age: 28 years old Promotion: NJPW Position in 2024: 10
Umino began 2025 by losing to Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestle Kingdom. Although he was expected to be the future “Ace” of NJPW, he has fallen into oblivion. He still has great potential.
30. Atlantis Jr.
Age: 27 years old Promotion: CMLL Position in 2024: Unranked
Atlantis Jr. is one of the busiest wrestlers on the roster, competing in more than 150 matches. He is the son of one of the most popular wrestlers in CMLL history. CMLL presents him in big matches at the Arena Mexico.
