3. Mark Briscoe
The current ROH World Champion brings an unmatched, frantic babyface energy to every single promo and match. Following tragic real-life adversity, the wrestling world has rallied behind Mark Briscoe as a beloved folk hero.
Wrestling historians know that Mark and his late brother Jay had legendary, ultra-violent heel runs in ROH decades ago. Today, his raw authenticity makes it morally impossible for the audience to ever boo him again.
His promos are legendary bursts of pure, unscripted passion that instantly rally the entire building behind his cause. He represents the everyday working-class family man who leaves every single drop of sweat and blood in the ring. Turning him heel would simply go against the overwhelming emotional tide of the entire wrestling community.
2. Orange Cassidy
“Freshly Squeezed” is an innovative merchandise juggernaut who rewrote the rules of wrestling psychology. His lazy, detached demeanor followed by explosive bursts of offense makes him an incredibly unique attraction.
Cassidy did work under a mask as a heel named JC Ryder in CHIKARA over a decade ago. However, his current iconic gimmick relies entirely on crowd interaction, locking him in as a permanent hero.
His signature light kicks and casual thumbs-up have evolved into some of the most anticipated moments on weekly television. Despite his seemingly nonchalant attitude, his historic International Championship reigns proved that he has the biggest heart in the company. He is a modern-day folk hero who serves as a vital cornerstone for the babyface roster.
Honorable Mentions: Sting & Eddie Kingston
We simply cannot talk about eternal heroes without mentioning Sting. “The Icon” finished his legendary, undefeated AEW career without a single heel turn, preserving his status as wrestling’s ultimate white knight.
Additionally, Eddie Kingston deserves a massive shoutout. While Kingston actually debuted in 2020 as a gritty villain leading a toxic faction, his modern bond with the audience is unbreakable. “The Mad King” is far too authentic to ever turn back now; his raw honesty means fans will ride with him forever.
He stands as an honorary mention because his raw, unfiltered connection to the audience has transcended standard wrestling logic. Fans look at Eddie Kingston and see a real human being fighting his inner demons in front of the world. Because of that profound level of empathy, he has secured a permanent place on the righteous path alongside the absolute best.
1. Darby Allin
Darby Allin is the undisputed king of resilient AEW babyfaces. His reckless, self-sacrificing style and anti-corporate attitude have turned him into the ultimate counter-culture icon for All Elite Wrestling.
Darby portrayed a cold, arrogant antagonist early in his career for EVOLVE. In AEW, however, his organic connection to the fans is completely bulletproof, making him a hero who will never, ever cross the line.
He routinely throws his body off massive ladders and down concrete stairs, proving his absolute dedication to entertaining the crowd. Fans respect him because he lives his authentic, straight-edge lifestyle without compromise or corporate filter. Darby Allin represents the very soul of All Elite Wrestling, making a heel turn completely unimaginable.
To stay completely updated on your favorite heroes, factions, and breaking locker room rumors, make sure to bookmark the official AEW TalkDown Website. For weekly episode reviews, deep-dive historical analysis, and explosive video highlights, subscribe directly to the AEW TalkDown YouTube Channel.
