Why Oba Femi, Darby Allin and WWE and AEW's New Generation Are Thriving at the Top

The wrestling industry is built on a healthy mix of veteran performers and rising stars, but AEW and WWE must capitalize on their young talent to usher in the next generation of top Superstars.

From Oba Femi in WWE to Darby Allin in AEW, the shot callers in both wrestling companies are hitching their wagons to performers who haven't been on top before, and the results have exceeded expectations.

Here are the wrestlers representing a new generation of talent at the top of the card.

Oba Femi

WWE has struggled in recent years to build cohesive storylines and enjoyable characters, but Triple H and WWE Creative have knocked it out of the park with 28-year-old Oba Femi and his jump from NXT to the main roster.

Not only has Femi shown he can hang with the best on the main roster in the ring and on the mic, but he has also shown his ability to get over with the WWE Universe throughout his program with Brock Lesnar.

The company has found so much success with Femi early in his career that putting him against The Beast again is a no-brainer. The two men have elite chemistry, and the matches are showcasing why Femi should be a cornerstone of WWE programming for the next decade.

Despite his relatively limited experience compared to longtime WWE veterans, Femi speaks and wrestles with the confidence of someone who already understands how to control an arena. The company has identified him as a centerpiece of its future, especially as it looks to transition into a new era built around younger, more athletic performers.

Darby Allin

Darby Allin has been a cornerstone of AEW since its inception, but it wasn't until this year that his dream to become a world champion was realized, making him the face of the company's next generation of wrestlers.

At 33 years old, Allin still has youth on his side, but it's his enigmatic character and his fearless in-ring work that make him the ideal building block for a wrestling brand that built itself on offering a healthy alternative to WWE's sports entertainment.

Unlike Superstars molded through the traditional WWE system, Allin has built his reputation through raw creativity, reckless physicality, and a genuine connection with fans who see him as authentic.

Allin is the anti-hero that a company like AEW needs at the top of the card since he represents the company's identity better than almost anyone on the roster.

As the heart of the promotion's younger generation, Allin gets the fans to believe in him, as his matches feel personal and dangerous every time, and he feels like the ultimate underdog who is willing to die trying.

Liv Morgan

There are several Superstars in AEW and WWE who are in the running for MVP of 2026 so far, but few have the resume of 31-year-old Liv Morgan.

After winning the Royal Rumble and earning the Women's World Championship at WrestleMania, Morgan has become the face of the women's division on Raw, crafting the memorable storylines and viral moments WWE craves.

Unlike other performers who were positioned as instant superstars on the main roster, Morgan's popularity developed organically with the WWE Universe through persistence, personality, and a clear connection with audiences.

Another reason the reigning women's champion is important to the future of WWE is her versatility, as she has the ability to shift between sympathetic babyface, chaotic wildcard, and manipulative heel without losing fan interest.

Add in her ability to thrive across television, premium live events, media appearances, and social media platforms, and Morgan's success in bridging traditional wrestling storytelling with the realities of modern entertainment culture should be a cornerstone of WWE's future.

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