N
Trend Entertainment

10 AEW Wrestlers Who Need To Improve In 2024

Author

Daniel Foster

Updated on September 22, 2026

The AEW roster is jam-packed with talent all of which offer a variety of styles and experience that creates enjoyable experiences for the audience. However, as certain wrestlers are constantly stepping up there are others that get left behind and don't make the same level of impact.

Every AEW Star Who Has Jumped To WWE, Ranked By Impact
Related
Every AEW Star Who Has Jumped To WWE, Ranked By Impact
There are a handful of former AEW wrestlers who have made their way to WWE.

That is why some wrestlers in the company need to make improvements heading into the new year. The need to constantly be performing at a high level is crucial in a competitive company like this, and some people are lagging in comparison to others, which is why they must step up to remain relevant in the new year.

10 Jake Hager Needs To Step Up

He Needs More Than A Purple Hat

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

10/2/19

Vs. Dustin Rhodes - Revolution, 2020

N/A

Jake Hager is an experienced member of the AEW roster, and he's capable of injecting his powerhouse style into any match. However, ever since his association with Chris Jericho has come to an end he's struggled to find a place on the card, and outside of fans chanting about a purple hat, there's little for them to care about.

Hager's in-ring ability is perfectly fine, even if it's not the most exciting on the roster. But he does need to improve when it comes to his gimmick and promo time or he will end up being left behind.

9 The Hardys Require More Than Nostalgia

It's Time To Reinvent Themselves

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

3/19/20 (Matt) - 3/10/22

Vs. Private Party - Dynamite, 3/16/22 (as The Hardys)

N/A

Two other veterans on the AEW roster that need to make improvements are The Hardys, who have been struggling to stay relevant in 2023. Their performances inside the ring have certainly slowed down, with both men not managing to put together performances at the same level people expect.

5 Tag Teams That Will Succeed In 2024 (& 5 That Will Fall)
Related
5 Tag Teams That Will Succeed In 2024 (& 5 That Will Fall)
While some wrestling tag teams will thrive in 2024, others will fizzle out.

Each of them has been vocal about not being pleased with their current position in the company, but if they want to do anything to change that then they will need to make major improvements. While it's natural they're slowing down inside the ring, their characters can make big changes.

8 Gravity Needs To Slow Down

Fewer Mistakes Are Necessary

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

Unclear

Vs. Kip Sabian - Dynamite, 1/28/23

N/A

AEW has plenty of high-flying wrestlers who bring a great dynamic to the ring, adding excitement whenever they perform and Gravity is one of those. However, there have been a few occasions where his speed has been too much, or his coordination hasn't quite been there, which has led to mistakes.

That's not something that audiences want to see at such a high level of wrestling. It is something he needs to work on because constant botches are going to turn fans off. It's unclear if he's put pen to paper on a full-time deal yet, but he has been used frequently.

7 The Golden Ace Has Looked Rusty

Fans Haven't Seen The True Kota Ibushi Yet

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

11/15/23

Blood & Guts - Dynamite, 7/19/2023

N/A

Kota Ibushi is one of the best wrestlers of his generation, and while AEW didn't sign him in his prime there's no doubt that he can offer a little more. Things started quite difficult for him, with many of his performances not meeting the standard that fans have in their mind.

He has been improving already though as he gets more reps in, and hopefully, that will continue into 2024 as he can offer a lot to the company if he can come close to what he could do in Japan.

6 Wardlow Needs More Momentum

He's Hit A Standstill

Signing Date

Debut Match

Titles

8/31/19

Vs. Cody Rhodes - Dynamite, 2/19/20

Three-time TNT Champion

There was a time when Wardlow seemed destined to be a main event player for AEW, but that momentum has been lacking for a long time now. Mr. Mayham's momentum has been derailed, and it is important he makes some major improvements to get that back on track.

Wardlow might be dominant inside the ring, but he is a long way off when it comes to the audience connection he once had. He needs to develop more of a character while making his matches more interesting, outside of just simple squash matches.

5 Sammy Guevara Needs To Ground Himself

The Spanish God Has Dropped Down The Card

Signing Date

Debut Match

Titles

2/7/19

Vs. Kip Sabian - Double Or Nothing, 2019

Three-time TNT Champion

Sammy Guevara is an excellent wrestler, but he is someone who can often focus on just taking big risks - trying to let them be his entire character. However, fans need a lot more than that, which is reflected by the fact that people have stopped reacting massively toward him.

Sammy Guevara Feature
Related
10 Things Fans Should Know About Sammy Guevara's Wrestling Career Before AEW
Sammy Guevara was making an impact in the wrestling business long before he was picked up by AEW!

His character has become confusing at times, not standing up for himself as much and being a secondary figure to Chris Jericho for large parts. It's something that needs to improve and change, with Guevara bringing a little more focus to the ring likely helping that.

4 Miro's Run Has Been Confusing

He Isn't Firing On All Cylinders

Signing Date

Debut Match

Titles

9/10/20

Vs. Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss - Dynamite, 9/23/20

Former TNT Champion

Miro could be a major player for AEW, as he has always had the potential of being a main event star. However, his booking in AEW has been very confusing and stop-start, which hasn't allowed him to build up any momentum during his time with the company.

This is where things must improve, with Miro himself needing to hone in on one thing and push it to the moon. Whether that is reuniting properly with CJ Perry or completely committing to being against her, there is work to be done.

3 Jack Perry Needs To Re-Focus

Time To Put The Drama In The Past

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

1/24/19

Casino Battle Royale - Double Or Nothing, 2019

AEW World Tag Team Champion/FTW Champion

Jack Perry has been pushed as one of the pillars of the company, but it's hard to say that he has been operating at the same level as the likes of Darby Allin and MJF. Perry is a talent inside the ring, and he was a natural underdog babyface that performed well and won fans over.

However, his heel turn saw struggles begin because his promo skills weren't quite at the necessary level. Then with his backstage drama involving CM Punk people began to sour on him, with Perry needing to make some personal and in-ring

2 Fans Want To See A Limitless Performer

Keith Lee Hasn't Hit His Heights

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

2/9/22

Vs. Isiah Kassidy - Dynamite, 2/9/22

AEW World Tag Team Champion

Keith Lee has been in a tough spot in AEW because he dealt with serious health complications that have stopped him from performing at his absolute best. When he's firing on all cylinders, the former WWE star is a unique talent and someone who can add a lot to the product.

Big Men who didn't live up to the hype
Related
Keith Lee & 9 Other Big Men Who Failed To Live Up To The Hype
Big men are usually given more chances than most in pro wrestling, but these ones really failed to live up to the hype.

Audiences have been able to see glimpses of that toward the end of 2023, and throughout his on-and-off work with Swerve Strickland. However, in 2024 it's time for Lee to get consistent and prove he's still got something to offer at a high level.

1 The Chairman Needs To Wrap His Head Around Something New

Shawn Spears Can Offer More

Signing Date

Debut Match

AEW Titles

6/12/19

Casino Battle Royale - Double Or Nothing, 2019

N/A

Shawn Spears has always been on the cusp of offering a lot more than he's been given as a wrestler. His Perfect 10 gimmick deserved a bigger push in WWE, as did The Chairman character in AEW. However, at this point he's lost in the shuffle and improvements will be needed.

Inside the ring, Spears has great fundamentals, but he needs to be used in the right role. If he can make improvements then there's no doubt he still has a lot to offer the company moving forward.