WWE Week in Review: Who Received B/R's Top Awards for Week of February 5

Tomorrow's WWE stars thrived as February began. Wrestlers poised to be major figures in the new era, which is unfolding as we speak, led the way.  

Kalisto continued to prove himself worthy of the United States Championship. Dean Ambrose harnessed his fearlessness to bolster the build to Fastlane. Finn Balor and AJ Styles tore it up as well. 

There were of course flaws with how WWE presented some of these Superstars, but there was plenty to be hopeful about moving forward.

For one, Kalisto's reign promises to be a fun one. He keeps flourishing against a variety of foes. Ambrose, Balor and Styles provided their own highlights, by way of trash talk, DDTs or loosening teeth.

B/R's Top Moment of the Week: Dean Ambrose Steps into Brock Lesnar's Lair

WWE often talks up how crazy Dean Ambrose is, but that insanity often only shows up as goofiness. Not here.

The Lunatic Fringe proved himself a madman by stepping up to Brock Lesnar and talking smack to him just inches from The Beast. In the process, he looked courageous, foolhardy and ready for the fight of his life. 

Kyle Fowle of the A.V. Club summed it up well when he wrote, "It's an energized, stirring promo, with Ambrose looking like a complete badass, legitimizing his spot in the Fastlane main event while also serving to complicate the final outcome."

Inserting Ambrose into the spotlight here was smart. Fans need every reason to believe that Ambrose will make a significant impact on the Triple Threat match at Fastlane. 

The contrast of Ambrose's quips and Lesnar's animal stare made for a surprising, powerful moment. It also hinted at how good a one-on-one feud between Lesnar and Ambrose could be. These are the kinds of interactions that will create buzz ahead of Fastlane. 

B/Rs Top Match of the Week: The Miz vs. AJ Styles (SmackDown)

A well-paced showcase for AJ Styles continued the newcomer's successful WWE run.

He took on The Miz on Thursday's SmackDown in a bout better than anything the self-proclaimed A-lister has done in a long while. The action flowed well. Styles provided a number of highlights, including a springboard shot that damaged Miz's teeth. 

A logical setup on Raw aided the bout.

The Miz overshadowed and insulted him in a "Miz TV" segment. This match served as a bit of revenge, as well as a way for Styles to continue impressing.

It worked. Cageside Seats tweeted, "The Raw segment was hot as hell, and tonight's match is even better."

If only the announcers would stop demeaning Styles' pre-WWE career. We get it: "Everywhere else" isn't WWE.

But continually portraying Styles as someone who hasn't really done anything yet is counterproductive. Just like WWE did on the night of the Royal Rumble, it needs to keep treating him like he's a big deal who is now operating on a bigger stage.

B/R's Top Under-the-Radar Move of the Week: Triple H-Brock Lesnar Tension

The Fastlane main event needs ample subplots to work. It can't just be the story of Roman Reigns overcoming the odds again. It can't be just a warm-up for Triple H vs. Reigns.

WWE was smart to address the Brock Lesnar element of the upcoming Triple Threat. The company had The Beast Incarnate run into Triple H backstage, where the two teased a matchup at WrestleMania and upped their animosity. 

Lesnar likely won't meet The Game at WrestleMania as he proclaimed, but it's vital for WWE to at least plant the idea in fans' heads.

WWE Creative's job is to add suspense in what threatens to be a predictable match. Playing Triple H and Lesnar's old rivalry is one way to do that. The same goes for making fans think a Lesnar win at Fastlane is possible.

B/R's Standout NXT Star of the Week: Finn Balor

If WWE is hesitant to call up Finn Balor to the main roster, it's easy to see why. He is the face and heart of NXT.

A mostly underwhelming show improved greatly after Balor and Apollo Crews went to battle in the main event. As he has done consistently since he arrived at Full Sail University, Balor put on a strong performance. He led the dance with Crews, helping build toward the high-energy climax.

The rock star in wrestling boots was again the highlight of NXT. And again, he brought out his foe's best work. It's no coincidence that Crews' top two NXT bouts have come against Balor. 

As a bonus, the NXT champ added some small touches to his act. He now wears trunks with "Finn, Finn, Finn" on them and busted out Bloody Sunday, a move he used often during his New Japan Pro Wrestling days.

Once he moves to the main roster, he will inject Raw and SmackDown with plenty of "it" factor, but NXT is going to struggle to replace him.

B/R's Top Wrestler of the Week: Kalisto

Kalisto has been one of the most fun elements on WWE TV of late.

The dynamo looked excellent in two high-quality matches this week. He took on Rusev on Monday's Raw in an entertaining clash. The King of Flight then followed that up with a hard-hitting, electric showdown with Kevin Owens. In each contest, his high-voltage style meshed well with his bruiser opponent.

The United States Championship picture has been buzzing since he won the title at the Royal Rumble.

WWE just needs to start making these bouts for the title. Kalisto is certainly doing his part to compel. Having him put his gold on the line more often would only amplify that.

It's looking more and more like WWE made the right choice to crown him. As Audrey Sitterson of the Straight Shoot Podcast tweeted, "Kalisto is a singles star, plain and simple."