Top 10 Superstars of 2016 

This list is strictly my opinion, and any disagreements please leave them below. This is based on entertainment value and match quality. Also we are not counting NXT Superstars. Here we go! 

10. Finn Balor

Finn Balor made his debut on Raw after the WWE draft back in July. He competed in 3 matches on the main roster but pinned 2 of the most protected stars WWE has to offer in Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. He also became the first ever WWE Universal Champion. These reasons by far qualify Finn for a spot on this list.

9. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is a mega star. Its simple. He gave us 2 of the most hyped matches this year at Summerslam and Survivor Series. He hasn’t given us amazing wrestling especially at Wrestlemania 32 against Dean Ambrose but he shook the Royal Rumble up in January and gave us all a reason to notice him the rest of the year. Brock Lesnar is always an attraction.

8. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins has been on a tear since returning from injury. The whole redesign, rebuild and reclaim shtick became reality because he returned with an entirely different attitude. Rollin’s face run has not been the best but he provided to be the perfect antagonist for Finn Balor and Dean Ambrose before the draft and fully turning babyface. He was the main event of several pay per views chasing the title whether it was against his Shield brothers, Finn Balor or Kevin Owens and has helped carry Monday Night RAW.
7.  John Cena

John Cena has been out a majority of the year with injuries or TV show arrangements outside of the WWE. However, when he is on TV he is just unstoppable. He’s given us the rivalry of the year with the Cena vs Styles feud and the match of the year with Cena vs Styles at Summerslam. He shows he’s still a face that can run the place and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon. He may not be around as much as usual, but he’s around long enough and still making enough impact to get on this list.

6. Charlotte Flair 

Charlotte has definitely carried the Women’s division with her mic skills and matches. I’m not saying she’s the best mic worker but she makes you feel as though she believes she’s really the queen of the WWE. Her matches have been some of the best this year at Hell in a Cell, Wrestlemania 33, and even Summerslam. Charlotte’s rivalry against Sasha Banks will go down in history as one of the most historic, influencial and controversial rivalries in women wrestling. With to without the WWE Women’s Championship she still is the face of the division.

5. Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns made a fan of me during his hunt for the WWE Championship. He played a great hero at the Royal Rumble and even though we all knew he would beat Triple H at Wrestlemania he still gave us a good main event. He also gave us 2 AMAZING matches with AJ styles along with a great record of consistency throughout the year as he only missed 1 pay per view. He may not be the best guy, he may not be the worst guy but he is the guy that consistently puts on a show.

4. The New Day 

The New Day beat Demolition’s record as the longest reigning tag team champions and dominated the division for a majority of the year. Whether they were corny, hilarious or that rare time serious they gave you a reason to watch and pay attention to them. Heel or Face this year they have done what they do best and that is entertain.

3. The Miz w/ Maryese 

The Miz has always been here. During the Royal Rumble he played a cowardly heel who sat at the announcer’s table and watched. He won the IC Title the night after Wrestlemania and has carried the title off and on since. Even when he lost the title to Dolph Ziggler he still was the important man in that feud. He has shaken things up with his presence on Smackdown and is definitely a big part of that shows success. AJ Styles may be the man over there on the blue brand but The Miz is the silent (not so silent) MVP of the show.

2. Dean Ambrose 

Dean Ambrose is a major entertainer. He lasted to the final two of the Royal Rumble and won the Money in the Bank ladder match. He challenged for the WWE Title at Roadblock, and even challenged Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. Even though he lost that match it was a major rub for him to face Lesnar. He was the #1 draft pick for Smackdown and flourished as the WWE Champion. 2016 was a good year for Dean Ambrose, and I expect nothing less in 2017.

1. AJ Styles 

AJ Styles debuted at the Royal Rumble to the biggest pop of 2016. He changed the landscape of WWE immediately. He entered in an entertaining rivalry with Chris Jericho, put on two great matches with Roman Reigns, made time stand still standing in a ring with John Cena and entered the WWE Title picture soon after. When he lost to Jericho at Wrestlemania and faced 2 losses to Roman Reigns, many people thought he would never be a star in WWE. However he turned things around after beating John Cena and the draft. He beat John Cena twice and went on the claim the WWE Championship. He is definitely the superstar of the year if you ask me and Smackdown Live’s MVP.

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