WWE 2016 Year in Review: Power Ranking B/R's Consensus Top 16 Stars of the Year

If you have been watching wrestling for as long as most of the writers here at Bleacher Report, you know 2016 was a big year for WWE.

Just think about all the major events the company crammed into a 12-month period. We saw the return of the brand split and the creation of the Universal and SmackDown Tag Team Championships to even things out between brands.

The horrible Divas title was ditched in favor of two new Women's Championships for Raw and SmackDown. WWE also brought back the cruiserweight title at the end of an incredible tournament, and plans have been announced for a United Kingdom Championship and tournament in January.

Goldberg returned to a WWE ring for the first time since WrestleMania XX, numerous NXT Superstars were called up to the main roster, Shane McMahon came home and AJ Styles made his long-awaited debut. It was a year filled with triumph for some, heartbreak for others and plenty of surprises.

Daniel Bryan being forced to retire was a punch to the gut of the entire wrestling world, but his loss was countered by the talent acquisitions such as Styles, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura.

Picking the top 16 Superstars of the year was a struggle for many of the writers who participated in the rankings because so many people exceeded expectations.

Before we get to the top 16 Superstars of 2016, let's take a look at the panel of experts who voted and how the rankings work.

Introduction and How the Rankings Work

For the first time, every Bleacher Report WWE writer has collaborated to bring you the definitive Superstar power rankings for 2016.

Here is a rundown of the writers before we get to how the rankings work:

• (AB) Aaron Bower (@AaronBower)
• (EB) Erik Beaston (@ErikBeaston)
• (RD) Ryan Dilbert (@RyanDilbert, RyanDilbert.com)
• (GM) Graham Mirmina (@WrestleRant)—Graham is the founder of Next Era Wrestling and the host of WrestleRant Radio every Tuesday.
• (AK) Alfred Konuwa (@ThisIsNasty)
• (DW) Donald Wood (@Donald_Wood)
• (KW) Kevin Wong (@KevinJamesWong)
• (TC) Tom Clark (@TomClarkBR)—Tom Clark's Main Event podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.
• (KB) Kevin Berge (@TheBerge_)
• (AM) Anthony Mango (@ToeKneeManGo)
• (JM) James Moffat (@JamesMoffat)
• Your humble host, Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor)

We used a points system to determine the top 16 Superstars of 2016. Whenever a writer ranks someone No. 1, that wrestler receives 16 points. No. 2 receives 15 points and so on down the line until No. 16 receives one point.

Once the points were tallied, we narrowed it down to the top 16. For the sake of convenience, tag teams were ranked together, so the power rankings will include more than 16 total names.

Each writer used his own criteria for how he ranked the Superstars, so each person's voice was given equal weight. Unfortunately, including NXT Superstars would have created some issues, so the list will only include main roster talents.

We ended up having two pairs of wrestlers tie each other for points, so two polls were posted to Twitter to decide which Superstar came out ahead in the rankings. The Miz topped Chris Jericho, and Enzo Amore and Big Cass beat out Braun Strowman by a narrow margin to claim the last spot.

Let's not waste any additional time and get to the top 16 Superstars of 2016.

Honorable Mentions

In total, the B/R writers ranked 30 different Superstars and tag teams, so there was a wide variety of people who received points but didn't make the top 16.

Some of the wrestlers who didn't make the cut might come as a surprise, given the year they had in 2016, but each writer had different reasons for including or excluding someone from his list. A few of these unranked Superstars deserve to be recognized for their work throughout the year.

Heath Slater, who received six points, had the best year of his entire career. After a long climb up from the gutter, The One-Man Band became a fan favorite and won the SmackDown Tag Team Championships with Rhyno.

Bayley, who also received six points, completed the transition of The Four Horsewomen from NXT to the main roster when Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon drafted her to Raw. She had a great year, but the competition among the top 16 was fierce.

Even James Ellsworth received a single vote from one writer because he became such a prominent figure in the WWE Championship scene. Whether you like him or hate him, you have to admit Ellsworth has made the most of this opportunity.

16. Enzo Amore and Big Cass (10 Points)

Enzo Amore and Big Cass have yet to win WWE tag team gold, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming one of the most popular acts on the roster.

Amore is one of the most unique talents to pick up a mic in years, and Big Cass' size and style complement him to make a formidable tag team.

Whenever their music hits, the WWE Universe goes nuts. If they aren't tag champs by the start of the summer, WWE needs to rethink its booking practices.

JM: Let's forget the current feud with Rusev for a moment. Amore and Cass provide electricity to WWE's flagship program every time they walk out from behind the curtain. It's only a matter of time before they're feuding for the Raw Tag Team Championships because their act is one that WWE fans can't seem to get enough of.

AB: The latter part of 2016 has been slightly more disappointing than the early part for Amore and Cass, but they will bounce back from a fairly disappointing feud with Rusev in 2017 and become pivotal parts of Raw's tag scene. With The New Day now out of the picture (it seems), Amore and Cass can start to work their way through the pack and create a career-defining moment when they win the belts—hopefully at WrestleMania 33. That would be the least they deserve.

AK: Quite possibly the most successful NXT call-up yet. Few acts have become this popular, this quickly.

15. Brock Lesnar (24 Points)

Brock Lesnar may not wrestle often, but when he does, he always leaves a big impression on the WWE Universe.

He has been running through every opponent put in front of him for the past few years, which is why his quick loss to Goldberg at Survivor Series was so shocking. Not only did it show Lesnar is willing to job for someone else, but it also opened the door for a rematch down the line.

TC: Lesnar only worked 11 times in 2016, but every time he did, it was a big deal. He continues to be a main event draw despite not wrestling full-time, and he can get heat just by standing next to a gloating Paul Heyman in the ring. Their partnership is perfect, his booking is on point and he's still a compelling character.

EB: The Beast Incarnate obliterated Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania. He demolished The Wyatt Family and knocked Randy Orton unconscious at SummerSlam. Even a loss to Goldberg, in embarrassing fashion, could not unfurl what has been another dominant year from the former WWE champion.

RD: As usual, Lesnar's appearances were sporadic but powerful. He thrived in the Triple Threat match at Fastlane, played his part as merciless predator perfectly against Orton and others and was excellent opposite Ambrose.

14. Sami Zayn (26 Points)

Sami Zayn is one of WWE's most consistant performers, and 2016 saw the former NXT champion produce some outstanding matches.

His feud with Kevin Owens was a highlight of the first half of the year, and his recent program with Braun Strowman has helped both men out of a rut. He deserves to be WWE or universal champion, and it just might happen in 2017.

KB: The only shame with Zayn was that he didn’t get more opportunities. His matches against Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura were nearly perfect and are candidates for Match of the Year. When given real stories, he was also one of WWE's better babyface mic workers, and he made every story he was given matter.

EB: The Underdog From The Underground had a consistently great year from an in-ring perspective. At NXT TakeOver: Dallas, he and Nakamura provided fans with a five-star classic. At Extreme Rules, he worked with Owens, The Miz and Cesaro to deliver the most underrated match of the year. And as the year comes to an end, he is as hot as he has ever been, courtesy of a David vs. Goliath program with Strowman.

RD: With limited opportunities, Zayn proved himself to be a star in 2016. His pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, continued rivalry with Owens and dramatic collisions with Strowman were all stellar. Zayn's babyface acumen was on full display when WWE decided to finally put him on center stage.

13. John Cena (29 Points)

John Cena has been the face of WWE for a long time, but he entered a new level of stardom in 2016. In addition to wrestling, he was popping up on morning shows, appearing in movies and hosting Saturday Night Live.

American Grit allowed him to shine outside a WWE ring as a host, and Total Bellas put him on television even more. His feud with AJ Styles was spectacular, and it looks like Cena has set his sights on tying Ric Flair's 16-title record in 2017.

AK: A top-five WWE Superstar in any other year, but with more of a part-time schedule than ever this year, his exit is imminent.

KB: It is likely that 2016 was the last full year Cena will ever work in WWE. In every aspect of wrestling, Cena is excellent, and he made every month he was around count. He even helped make Styles a star. The only thing that kept this from being another highlight year of his career was time away.

EB: The franchise star of WWE was hurt only by his inconsistent appearances throughout 2016. A series of outstanding matches against Styles proved his ability to deliver when the lights are brightest. His appearance at WrestleMania helped inject the event with star power that it desperately needed. And his breakthrough into mainstream stardom has him eyeing the fame and opportunity that longtime rival The Rock once took advantage of.

12. Dolph Ziggler (31 Points)

No matter how poorly WWE books Dolph Ziggler, he continues to perform every week at a level most Superstars usually reserve for big PPV matches.

Feuding with The Miz brought out the best in both men in the ring and on the mic, and it led to Ziggler moving into the hunt for the WWE Championship. With all the new talent hogging the spotlight, seeing a veteran like Ziggler featured so often shows WWE still has faith in him.

RD: Credit Ziggler for milking the maximum drama from every opportunity he had. He shone against Dean Ambrose and The Miz as a man out to prove he wasn't finished. A lot of time spent in the midcard, however, kept him from achieving more in 2016 outside of those stories.

JM: Colonel Sanders portrayal aside, Ziggler was a workhorse in 2016. He wrestled for titles on numerous occasions, including the final SmackDown of 2016. Even with the speculation in the fall that The Showoff would leave WWE, Ziggler continues to show why he's a valuable member of the roster. 

KB: No one benefited more from the brand split than Ziggler, who went from barely finding television time to main-eventing for the top titles. His feud against The Miz may have been the best feud of the entire year, thanks to committed performances in the ring and on the mic from both men.

11. Becky Lynch (54 Points)

Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair dominated women's wrestling in 2016, but the accomplishments and contributions of Becky Lynch can't be overlooked.

The pun-making Lass Kicker is someone the fans love because she always seems like she is having as much fun as they are. She was the perfect Superstar to headline the SmackDown women's division following the brand split, but many are hoping to see her lock up with the rest of The Four Horsewomen more often.

GM: Lynch started solidifying her spot in the women's division late last year, and she finally emerged as a major fan favorite this year. Although it took a little longer than expected, she won gold in September and has become the top babyface for the ladies on SmackDown since the summer.

AM: Lynch did more than OK for herself in 2015, but she hit her stride in 2016, particularly after the draft. Right off the bat, she was positioned as the top woman on SmackDown and could have collapsed under the pressure, but she stepped up and took charge. Her title reign was hindered by her mysterious medical condition that WWE seems to not want to disclose any information about, but her momentum never truly slowed down. She has worked her way up to being one of the most popular and credible women in the company.

TC: Lynch didn't have a five-star feud in 2016 the way Flair and Banks did, but that's not because she doesn't deserve one. She has a real passion for the business, and she shows it every time she steps into the ring. Fans love her, and more importantly, they respect her as well.

10. Seth Rollins (81 Points)

Seth Rollins spent the first half of 2016 on the shelf with a knee injury, but the past six months saw The Architect prove he hasn't lost a step.

His transition from heel to babyface felt natural because it wasn't rushed or forced upon the WWE Universe. The fans were ready to cheer for Rollins again, so WWE let it happen.

He is on a collision course with Triple H, and if he is able to defeat The Game, Rollins will cement himself as one of the company's biggest stars.

AK: Rollins' ranking is hurt because he lost several world-title matches and seems to simply be on standby while Triple H prepares to return. 

TC: Rollins is so good at what he does that he's managed to completely leave his Shield role behind him. He's now viewed as the top main event talent that he is, and it's obvious that he's in the right place right now. He carries himself as if it's his company, and fans have to wonder why Roman Reigns would ever be considered more important to the future of WWE.

GM: It's strange that, for a guy who was the Superstar of the Year in 2015, Rollins hasn't done much to impress in 2016. He had a chance to switch things up upon his return from injury, but WWE waited too long to turn him face. Regardless, he has had a handful of great matches against the likes of Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Dean Ambrose and Reigns.

9. Roman Reigns (86 Points)

No matter how many fans boo Roman Reigns, he keeps doing what is asked of him with a smile on his face. You have to respect that kind of dedication.

Even if you don't like him, there's no denying how much Reigns has improved over the past year. He has added more to his arsenal in the ring, and his promos don't feel as hokey as they used to.

His bout with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose at Battleground was a Match of the Year candidate, so the "You can't wrestle!" chants no longer apply to him.

AM: The negatives hinder Reigns from appearing higher up on the list. Many fans refuse to embrace him as a top dog, and he even had a suspension while in the championship hunt, but instead of being jobbed out or fired, he bounced back and continued trudging in a stubborn way. For the majority of the year, he's been a huge focal point, holding the WWE World Championship and the United States Championship while rarely losing or looking weak.

JM: You either love him or you hate him, but Reigns continued to show why WWE has put so much stock in him. He puts on entertaining matches and shines when the lights are brightest. He is the weakest of his Shield brethren in the ring, but he's booked to be Superman.

AB: To say it's been an up-and-down year for Reigns is probably an understatement. His main event bout with Triple H at WrestleMania 32 will sit as one of the most forgettable main events in that pay-per-view's history, and although a return to the midcard and a run with the United States Championship was a refreshing change, he has not defended the title anywhere near enough. Will WWE finally pull the trigger in 2017 and turn him heel?

8. The New Day (101 Points)

What can be said about the longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history that hasn't been said a million times?

Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi Kingston are some of the best entertainers on the entire roster. Their mic work is on par with everyone in the main event scene, and they have stolen the show from other title matches more times than anyone without a photographic memory could remember.

It's hard to imagine WWE without their hilarious antics, so hopefully nobody in a position of power is thinking about breaking them up in 2017.

KW: It may have broken the tag team record, but 2016 was also the year that The New Day got complacent. It was solid on a weekly basis, but it lacked a signature match that would have placed it in my top 10.

EB: Kingston, Woods and Big E had a historic year, shattering Demolition's longstanding championship record. Yet there was still something disappointing about their 2016—perhaps the lack of outstanding in-ring performances. The potential for character growth and a spark of in-ring motivation as 2017 approaches should satiate fans who found fault with their output this year.

AK: Entertaining, successful and talented, The New Day's record-breaking run revived tag team wrestling.

7. Dean Ambrose (104 Points)

Dean Ambrose is one of those rare talents who can switch between funny and intimidating at the drop of a hat, but something kept his WWE World Championship run from being as good as it could have been.

The Lunatic Fringe is not the kind of guy who is supposed to be at the top of the ladder for long. He is better in pursuit mode. His storyline with James Ellsworth didn't do much to help him, but it would have made a lesser talent look like a fool. Ambrose pulled it off with ease.

Now that his relationship with Renee Young has been brought into a storyline with The Miz, his character can move in a new direction, which might be exactly what he needs right now.

AB: Ambrose fans were given a great moment to remember at Money in the Bank this year, when he successfully cashed in the briefcase he won earlier in the night to win the WWE World Championship. Since then, however, things have been a bit inconsistent for The Lunatic Fringe. His rivalry with AJ Styles was good enough, but it feels like it may have run its course. A tilt at The Miz's Intercontinental Championship in the new year could be what revitalizes Ambrose as a top player in WWE once again.

AM: Ambrose started off the year as intercontinental champion before having a high-profile match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, bouncing back from those losses with a Money in the Bank win and his first world-title reign shortly after obtaining the briefcase. As the top babyface on the SmackDown brand, Ambrose went from an upper-midcarder just begging to be treated as a main event star to finally crossing the line into the same territory Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins had reached a little sooner.

AK: Ambrose took a nosedive quickly as world champion on SmackDown, as he may have been exposed as more of a midcard performer.

6. Sasha Banks (119 Points)

The Boss had an amazing year. Between winning the Raw Women's Championship three times and being part of the first Hell in a Cell main event for the women's division, she has accomplished more in 2016 than some women have over the course of several years.

Sasha Banks wrestles a risky style, and it has led to some injuries keeping her out of action for part of the year. If she can find a balance between safe and exciting, 2017 will be even better.

KB: While Charlotte Flair may have been the star of the year for the women, she only found such massive success alongside Banks. The two put on one of the best series of matches this year together, and Banks put her body on the line constantly to make those encounters special. She still has work to do to improve on the mic, but few women are willing to do more to steal the show.

TC: Banks is the underdog, but that's only because of her size. Her talent is apparent, and her heart for the business is evident every time she steps into the ring. She's the only one who could've worked with Flair on the main event stage, and she has a lot more to give now that their feud is over.

EB: The Boss may have had three short reigns with the Raw Women's Championship, but her performances and popularity were undeniable. To suggest that her contributions to the year were somehow dampened because of the lack of a substantial title reign would be ridiculous. Performances on Raw and pay-per-view firmly established her as the top babyface of the women's division on Monday nights.

5. Kevin Owens (144 Points)

Kevin Owens is supposed to be a heel. We aren't supposed to like him, but when someone is as entertaining as he is, you can't help but appreciate his skills.

Owens has an incredible grasp on wrestling psychology and how to work a crowd. He always gets cheered during his entrance, but after a few sentences, he is being booed like he kicked a puppy.

His friendship with Chris Jericho has been great for both men, but fans are ready to see them have the match we all know is coming.

JM: The Prizefighter claimed two titles in 2016, and he heads into the new year as the champion of the company's flagship brand. The partnership with Jericho has elevated Owens, giving him a sidekick who complements him perfectly.

GM: As strong of a rookie year as Owens had, his second year in 2016 was equally excellent, as he won both the Intercontinental and WWE Universal Championships this year. His reign hasn't been as strong as it could be, but his in-ring performances and mic work this year should speak for themselves.

AB: To paraphrase Owens himself, the longest-reigning universal champion in history has had a great year, but you get the lingering feeling it could have been a whole lot better. His run with the Intercontinental Championship at the start of the year was great, and his ascension to Raw's mountaintop was overdue. However, a lack of explanation about his alliance with Triple H, coupled with too many losses to Roman Reigns, has hindered his standing as champion.

4. Chris Jericho (148 Points)

Chris Jericho has been in and out of WWE for the past decade, and each time he returns, he finds new ways to update his character.

Only he could turn things like The List of Jericho and the phrase "stupid idiot" into comedy gold, but it's in the ring where he shines brightest.

At 46 years old, Y2J is still capable of having a great performance with just about anybody. At this rate, he will be having five-star matches well into his 50s.

KW: Jericho is one of the last remaining Superstars from the Attitude Era, but he's doing relevant in-ring work and heel work instead of resting on his laurels. He's also ageless, moving and working as well as someone half his age.

RD: Future Hall of Famer Jericho had one of his best years to date as he played a scarf-wearing, snooty sycophant. His friendship with Kevin Owens made for must-see TV. And he turned a clipboard holding a list of names into one of the hottest things WWE had going.

AM: Although his win-loss record doesn't match up to many others, the quality of Jericho's weekly performances is unmatched. This has been some of the best character work he has done in his whole career, and he's worked with such minuscule tools as the word "it" and a clipboard. The WWE Universe can't get enough of his antics, and it seems like he's had more fun in 2016 than he's had in a long while.

AB: Easily the biggest surprise for WWE fans this year has been the emergence of Jericho as one of WWE's most important players. Y2J's recent runs with the company have left little for fans to get excited about, but 2016 has been a whole different ballgame. The List of Jericho has been must-see TV each and every week, and the fact that a man has been able to get the words "it," "stupid idiot" and "You just made the list!" over tells you all you need to know about Jericho's success this year.

3. The Miz (148 Points)

The Miz's career has had as many ups and downs as anyone else on the roster, which is why it was so satisfying to see him used to his fullest potential in 2016.

People have been talking about bringing prestige back to the Intercontinental Championhip for years, but The Miz actually did it. He had some help from guys like Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder, but nobody did the work for him.

SmackDown has been the superior show in recent months, and The Miz is a big reason why the blue brand has been so good.

KW: The best heel on either roster. His in-ring work is at its peak. He cut the best promo of 2016. And the addition of Maryse to his entourage has reinvigorated him. Expect a world-title shot for The Awesome One in 2017.

AM: After winning the Intercontinental Championship the night after WrestleMania and partnering up with his wife, Maryse, sparks have been flying for The Miz, but that fire intensified even more after the brand split. The Miz single-handedly put Talking Smack on the map and has managed to feud with Daniel Bryan, despite the latter being retired from in-ring competition. His feud with Ziggler has helped boost the credibility of the intercontinental title to a status it hasn't seen in a long while.

GM: The Miz was one to watch throughout 2016, as he experienced a career resurgence in holding the Intercontinental Championship for eight months out of the year. He will win the world title for a second time at some point next year and continue the hot streak he's been on recently.

JM: It's about time the WWE Universe gives The Miz the credit he deserves. He is a good in-ring performer, and his promo work was the best in the company—even better than the illustrious Paul Heyman.

2. Charlotte Flair (159 Points)

Charlotte Flair is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. A lot of women have been instrumental in changing the way the division is looked at, but The Queen has been leading the charge.

She has made making history a regular part of her character, and there are no signs of her slowing down in 2017. She has already earned herself a spot in the Hall of Fame. She just needs to keep moving in the same direction, and she will go down as one of the greatest wrestlers in WWE history.

Topping the year she had in 2016 is going to be hard, but if anyone can do it, it's her.

GM: I expected Flair to do well this year, but she exceeded expectations in becoming the best heel women's wrestler WWE has had in a long time. Her pay-per-view record alone in 2016 should win her the award for Women's Wrestler of the Year, not to mention how she has grown as a character and the exceptional matches she has contested with Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and others.

RD: Flair grew into a top-tier heel in 2016. Whether she was harping on Dana Brooke, dragging Sasha Banks' body across the floor or cursing her father's name, The Queen was one of the most compelling figures on WWE programming. She tore down the house several times over when offered high-profile bouts.

TC: Flair is booked as the best women's wrestler for a reason. She had her rough spots in the beginning, but she's overcome every shortcoming she's ever had. Her opponents have made her better, but she's made them better, too.

KB: A new era for women's wrestling began with Flair's rise to prominence. Not only has she been solid throughout the year, but she has also improved and adapted in the ring and on the mic each month. Her multiple title matches with Banks have been major highlights of the year.

1. AJ Styles (191 Points)

Out of the 12 writers who participated in these rankings, 11 ranked Styles at No. 1. That is how good The Phenomenal One was in 2016.

Styles debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble, and in less than 12 months, he defeated some of the top Superstars in the company and won the WWE Championship. Only a handful of Superstars have ever won the title in their first years with WWE, so he is part of an exclusive club.

GM: I likely would have called you crazy at this time one year ago had you told me Styles would not only be in WWE, but also reigning as WWE champion going into the new year. Even prior to the birth of the brand split, he was flourishing in matches with Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns and John Cena and having memorable matches with each of them. Without him, who knows what the WWE landscape would have looked like this year.

EB: The Phenomenal One made a monumental debut in the Royal Rumble match, got the best of Jericho in a memorable first feud and delivered a Match of the Year candidate with Reigns at Extreme Rules. That was hardly the best of his 2016. A clean victory over Cena at SummerSlam and a WWE Championship victory at Backlash capped the most outstanding first year any Superstar has had under Vince McMahon's rule since Brock Lesnar in 2002.

KB: This may have been the single-greatest debut year in WWE history. Within a few months, Styles was performing at a level higher than anyone else in the ring, putting on Match of the Year contenders against Reigns, Cena and Dean Ambrose. Turning heel helped him get comfortable cutting main event-level promos. He made many wrestlers look better than they have with anyone else.

TC: Styles is the best WWE has. He's morphed from being the greatest wrestler in the world to being the greatest Superstar in the world. He's combined all of his skills with the pizzazz of WWE. He not only made it work; he also made it look easy.

AB: Ever since his debut at the Royal Rumble, 2016 has been the year of Styles. The Phenomenal One stunned fans when he turned up in WWE back in January, and since then, he's been on a tear. He beat Cena cleanly at SummerSlam, and if anyone has benefited from the brand split, it's been Styles. He's SmackDown's biggest star at a time when the blue brand is the go-to show on WWE TV, and if this year is anything to go by, Styles will be a force to be reckoned with once again in 2017.

JM: Everything Styles touched in 2016 turned to gold. Since his music hit at the Royal Rumble in January, no Superstar has captivated in and out of the ring like Styles. The brand split midway through the year enhanced his stock, and it's only going up. 

RD: Styles stormed into WWE and took over in a matter of months. He was the best in-ring performer all year. And he provided a jolt of energy and air of freshness to the product.

AM: The Phenomenal One has had an amazing year, starting things off with his debut at the Royal Rumble and continuing to build on that buzz like a snowball gaining mass. He's had great feuds with essentially everybody he's paired up with, successfully proved himself as both a heel and babyface, grown accustomed to the WWE system almost immediately and hasn't run into any problems along the way. To cap it all off, he's the current WWE champion, which is truly deserved. Styles helped break the barrier down to allow for the influx of indy talent that soon followed en masse, and 2017 will likely be even better for him.

AK: Styles had a handful of Match of the Year candidates and elusive victories. His memorable surprise moment at the Royal Rumble would have been the peak for most wrestlers, but for him, it was only the beginning. 

Who were your top 16 Superstars of 2016?