25 Under 25: 15-11

Welcome to Part 1 of Violent People’s 25 Under 25. Ranking the top wrestlers currently under the age of 25. Read our intro post to learn more!

15. Hook (20 Points, 3 Votes)

High Vote: 3 (Tanner)

% of Ballots Made: 15.8%

As soon as he hit AEW, looked like the coolest dude in wrestling, let alone the House that Khan built. Speaks to how transcendent he felt immediately that despite some of the shimmer being lost, he still ranks so highly. Personally, the Joe match built another year or two of good will. Joe is an all-time great but you don’t have a match like that, don’t come off worse for it, without being pretty special. -Sam

While I have some issues with how his 2024 has panned out, he’s young enough for it to ultimately not matter. A good gimmick, with an extremely trustworthy father backing him every step of the way. I’m ultimately glad he dropped the silent killer gimmick. He’s got more than enough time to get a convincing promo style down. Plus, at the end of the day, I like seeing him tear through people. It’s fun. – NoMoreCreatives

Recommended Matches:

w/ Jack Perry vs. Dralistico & Preston Vance (AEW 6/7/23)
vs. Samoa Joe (AEW 1/17/24)

14. Galeno Del Mal (21 Points, 4 Votes)

High Vote: 3 (DanRice)

% of Ballots Made:

Dr. Wagner Jr.’s other son. Secretly wrestling one of the most diverse schedules of any wrestlers in 2024. He’s been to Mexico, US Indies, Japan, and Europe. Has a great presence and can be a great big man. – DanRice

You are telling me this guy is secretly 39? That is WILD! -Sam

Recommended Matches

vs. Mike Bailey (GCW 5/5/24)
vs. Jeff Cobb (Prestige 5/16/24)
w/Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane (NOAH 7/13/24)

13. Starlight Kid (24 Points, 3 Votes)

High Vote: 2 (Corwo)

% of Ballots Made: 15.8%

How is she under 25? She was one of the coolest wrestlers on the planet a couple years ago and she felt like she had a whole career before that! Should be criminal to be this good, this young, could retire tomorrow and would think “That was a sick career she had”. – Sam

Recommended Matches:

vs. AZM (STARDOM 2/23/22)
vs. Guila (STARDOM 8/27/22)
vs. Saya Kamitani (STARDOM 8/28/24)

12. MIRAI (26 Points, 4 Votes)

High Vote: 1 (nomorecreatives)

% of Ballots Made: 21.1%

Probably the women’s wrestler with the most untapped potential on the list. A genuine superstar in the making, and not in the bullshit fed sense where you have to be called that. In 2 years time, you can sell a show with her being in the main, or at least near the top of the card. A former Wonder of Stardom, former ToJo International, and current Marigold TwinStar Champ, she’s the crown jewel of the upper midcard. Only a matter of time til she reaches just a bit higher. NoMoreCreatives

Recommended Matches:

w/ Mai Sakurai vs. Miku Aono & Natsumi Showzuki (7/30/24)
vs. NORI (8/31/24)
vs. Hanan (3/10/24)

11. Suzu Suzuki (28 Points, 5 Votes)

High Vote: 2 (TheJML)

% of Ballots Made: 26.3%

Could, Should, and Would have been higher on my ballot if it wasn’t for time off and the Stardom down turn combined Marigold spin off that seems to stall out her big push to finally being at the top where she already belonged – TimB

Fantastic, but Stardom has no idea what to do with her. There’s a timeline where she actually did face Tam for the Red Belt, or at least beat Maika for it. Phenomenal death match worker, really found her way in Stardom through the Prominence invasion, and her three 5Star runs. But keeps being hard reset after a huge loss. An issue you can see in a lot of people’s bookings currently.

Honestly, just ease up on that part, and everything’ll probably be pretty good. I can only really hope for the best when it comes to Neo Genesis, but every time I ask Olly he starts getting angry. Really, anytime I ask about Stardom. – NoMoreCreatives

Recommended Matches: