You might believe that in the scripted world of professional wrestling — where winners and losers are predetermined — that whomever receives top billing was simply chosen by the company’s leadership.
That’s true to a certain extent. But other times, no matter how much an organization’s decision-makers ignore a performer, they find their way to the main event anyway.
There was CM Punk during his run with WWE, a plucky wrestler smaller than his main event cohorts, but won over crowds with his biting mic skills and daredevil style inside the ropes.
Daniel Bryan followed, an undersized underdog who wasn’t coveted by WWE officials but willed his way to the headline spot with incredible technical wrestling and an uncanny connection with the crowd.
Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, MJF and many others have broken out over the years, pushing their way to the top through sheer talent, determination and constant improvement.
But 2023 has undoubtedly been the year of L … A … Knight … Yeah! He crashes the ESPN Pro Wrestling Power Rankings ahead of Saturday, when he’ll challenge wrestling’s top star, Roman Reigns, for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1 p.m. ET, Peacock).
Where do pro wrestling’s top women, me and tag…
