As 2016 quickly comes to a close for WWE, we take the time to look back on the various highlights and low points from throughout the year. From the relaunch of the Cruiserweight division to the rebranding of the women's division to the return of the Brand Split; 2016 will not be soon forgotten by fans.
Speaking of said Brand Extension, it led to several Superstars receiving more television time and more opportunities, including some that you would have never thought would experience the success they did. Through their memorable matches and remarkable mic work, they took 2016 by storm and deservedly earned the title of Raw and SmackDown Live's biggest MVPs.
There are bound to be breakout stars in the new year, but it's important to recognise those who made 2016 so great for WWE on both brands. Will they be able to carry their strong momentum into 2017?
#5 Alexa Bliss
It was apparent from the moment she arrived in NXT in the spring of 2014 that Alexa Bliss was something special, even though she was fairly generic as a babyface. It wasn't until she went heel last year that she really started to show signs of singles potential.
Bliss was undoubtedly the best part of her partnership with Blake and Murphy, and parting ways with the former NXT Tag Team champions earlier this year was the best thing she could have done. In mid-July, she was drafted to SmackDown Live as a surprise pick; though no one knew at that time, the impact she would eventually have on the blue brand.
From her debut win over Becky Lynch to beating The Irish Lasskicker once again at TLC to clinch her premiere SmackDown Women's Championship, no woman on SmackDown has benefited more from the Brand split than her. With her gorgeous looks and her stellar skills on the microphone, Bliss is the perfect package, and she's only getting started.
#4 Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho managed to do the impossible back in 2008 when he underwent a complete character overhaul and transformed into one of the best bad guys in the business. Who knew he would be capable of accomplishing something similar eight years later?
Upon his return to WWE at the onset of 2016, Jericho was stagnant as a babyface, but during his drawn-out feud with AJ Styles, he planted the seeds for a heel turn before finally going rogue on his partner-turned-rival in March. He then returned to his roots as an extremely entertaining villain.
Although he has yet to win any gold in his latest stint with the company, Jericho has gotten the likes of a list, a scarf and a potted plant over with the audience, along with the word “it.” Needless to say, it will be a sad, sad day when “The Gift of Jericho” ultimately leaves again to tour with his band Fozzy.
#3 The Miz
Ten years removed from his WWE debut, it's amazing to think how The Miz is now more relevant and compelling than he has ever been before, even more so than during his WWE Championship run six years ago.
His career resurgence began when he won the Intercontinental Championship for a fifth time by beating Zack Ryder the night after WrestleMania 32. He reunited with his real-life wife Maryse, and pairing those two together on TV was the best thing that could have happened to The Awesome One.
He then embarked on a lengthy reign as Intercontinental champion, that saw him knock off all-comers and contest a series of stellar matches with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro and Sami Zayn. His Talking Smack promo in August solidified him as one of SmackDown Live's top-tier talents, and his feud with Daniel Bryan has been a blast to watch as well.
#2 Charlotte Flair
There was little doubt that at this time one year ago, Charlotte Flair was as bland as could be as a babyface. It was apparent that she was a natural heel, and once she officially flipped the switch at the dawn of 2016, she finally hit her stride and took over the women's division as its lead heel.
Her promo work was a bit shaky, but she has improved immensely in that department over the course of the year with her recent confrontations with Sasha Banks and Ric Flair, being prime examples. Her in-ring ability is as exceptional as it has always been, with fans often underestimating her amazing athleticism.
As of this writing, she remains unbeaten in one-on-one championship matches on pay-per-view, a streak she extended this year with wins over Banks, Becky Lynch and Natalya. Each of those outings was outstanding, and come Roadblock this Sunday, she could end the year as a four-time Raw Women's champion.
#1 AJ Styles
Had you told me one year that AJ Styles would not only sign with WWE in 2016 but would become the biggest MVP of the year for the company, I would have called you crazy. Sure enough, he took the entire organisation by storm as soon as he arrived in the Royal Rumble match.
His fantastic feud with Chris Jericho immediately catapulted him into the WWE Championship picture, where he and Roman Reigns produced a pair of phenomenal matches in the spring. Following back-to-back wins over John Cena in the summer, he then clinched his premiere WWE world title at Backlash, a belt he been in possession of ever since.
He has carried the blue brand on his back these past few months and has settled into his heel role nicely. The matches he has had this year, have truly solidified him as the best wrestler in the world right now, and that was what he accomplished in his debut year alone.
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