The soul of a WWE Superstar lies in their character. Regardless of how talented a Superstar is, if their character falls flat they’re not going to reach the top. Every Superstar in WWE knows this. So, in order to keep their characters ticking, Superstars occasionally re-invent themselves or evolve into a better version.
We have seen Superstars like Bray Wyatt, Kane and several others re-invent themselves over the course of time and find popularity with the fans. Some of it sticks with them and helps them rise up on the roster, while some re-inventions don’t help them at all.
In 2016, the below Superstars have done some changes to their gimmicks that have the potential to improve their position on the roster even more. If carried right by the creative team, these characters will certainly leave a lasting impression in the minds of fans.
#10 Carmella
The Carmella we now see on the screen is entirely different than the one we saw in NXT. Soon after her main roster debut, she turned heel by attacking Nikki Bella viciously. And to say that the heel change has benefited her would be an understatement.
Carmella has unleashed her inner mean-streak in an effective way. The spiteful witch who is jealous of others is the figure that stands in our minds when we recall Carmella now. If WWE creative properly uses her, she can go places.
#9 Alexa Bliss
Among the women who made their main roster debut during the brand extension, Alexa Bliss has set herself apart from others with her character evolution. While she was a typical day-to-day heel in the NXT, her character has evolved over the last months into a true heel who will leave lasting impressions in the minds of fans.
She is cold, vengeful, opportunistic, calculating, mean and extremely spiteful. And above all, she is incredibly hot! Watching her is just Bliss!
Also read: WWE TLC 2016: 5 things that should not happen at the PPV
While others concentrated on their character alone, she evolved in her ring attire too. Her memorable Harley Quinn entrance is a testament to the impact her evolution has among the fans.
If WWE can get over her height factor, she will make one hell of a heel champion on the SmackDown roster.
#8 Braun Strowman
You can’t say Braun Strowman has evolved. Braun Strowman has completely re-invented himself ever since the brand extension.
Gone was the sheep in the shadow of Bray Wyatt, in its place, now stands a hungry monster hunting for competition. He looks more menacing than ever before. His eyes are cold and hungry and he enjoys inflicting pain on his opponents.
His entrance music signals the annihilation of his opponent.
For a man who is as big as Braun Strowman, his movements in the ring are extremely agile. His moves are powerful and get more impactful each day. His destruction of Sami Zayn, a crowd favourite, has registered no complaints on the IWC.
If that isn’t a testament to his improvement, I wonder what is. If built properly, Braun Strowman can become the next Brock Lesnar for WWE. Will WWE capitalise on the monster they have created or lose him like Bray Wyatt? Remains to be seen.
#7 Stephanie McMahon
If the previous three Superstars have changed in an obvious way, the next three entries in this list have changed subtly. Their change is not obvious to a common observer, but to a wrestling fan, they are miles away from being where they started this year.
Stephanie McMahon was a heel at the start of 2016 and she still is one, but her character has undergone subtle changes throughout the course of the year. These subtle changes have showcased a new Stephanie McMahon to us.
Earlier she used to be the bossy, power-hungry authoritative figure who listened to no one. She did what she wanted to do regardless of the opposition. But at the end of the year, she is slightly different and yet more compelling as a heel.
Now, she is still the power-hungry authoritative figure who is the heel boss. But her edges have grown soft. Her competitive spirit has been roused and she even lets Foley have his way with the show occasionally.
If carried right, her subsequent betrayal of Foley or her face turn may be more impactful than something an average fan can imagine.
#6 Kevin Owens
Well, Kevin Owens has been gold on the mic ever since he got his hands on them and he is still the same. The thing that has evolved in KO is his attitude. His character’s inner superiority complex has got an outlet and he is using it fully.
Add Jericho’s friendship to the mix. You have got a winner of a character. His character has become more arrogant, more self-assured and more calculating ever since he joined forces with Jericho. The chemistry he has with Jericho has taken his game up a notch.
Both his in-ring presence and persona have evolved for the better and WWE is right to have him as the champion. (I feel sorry Sami though, he has been lost in the shuffle)
#5 Dean Ambrose
Well, the Lunatic Fringe having a place in this list is a given. His character is so unpredictable that even the Satan who sitting on his right shoulder will occasionally think “What the hell are you upto now?” And the fact that he is the only face on this list speaks volumes about his work.
From asking Brock Lesnar to take him to Suplex City to going weapon shopping for his match at WrestleMania, Ambrose has done everything unimaginable.
He has called John Cena a lazy part-timer, cashed his MITB contract on the same day, eaten a sandwich during a talk show, created a lunatic match, destroyed jackets, befriended plants and even befuddled Steve Austin – the biggest unpredictable Superstar of WWE.
The hardest part of such a character is to spring surprises on fans consistently. Ambrose has worked hard to do so. In fact, he is one of the major factors for SmackDown being as interesting as it has been off-late.
#4 Charlotte
No one can deny that Charlotte deserves a place in this list. She has undergone a great evolution in her character and in-ring persona.
Charlotte has evolved from being a wannabe queen to becoming a true Queen Bee of the entire Raw Women’s roster. Her mic work is getting better day by day and her in-ring work is also improving to a great extent with each match.
Her classics with Sasha Banks this year are a testament to her in-ring excellence, while her character has grown simultaneously with an imperial touch. She relied on her father to get her out of trouble at the start of the year and then ousted him publically to become the new dirtiest player.
If she had failed to evolve perfectly, WWE would have been forced to bring back Ric Flair. But, her hard work has paid off and now she is one of the most hated Superstars on the roster.
Keep up the good work Queen!
#3 AJ Styles
AJ Styles has had a tremendous year in WWE. I don’t remember anyone becoming a WWE Champion this quickly after their debut. In one year, he has gone from being a newbie to becoming the top man. But then again, he is the phenomenal one.
The hottest free agent in the world didn’t sit idly once he signed with WWE. He improved his game and character to a whole new level and soon became “The Face That Runs The Place” within a year.
AJ debuted as a veteran who has at last reached his goal of coming to WWE. But the catch was that he was still considered a newcomer and needed to earn the respect that was due to him the hard way.
Once he accomplished that, he joined with his friends in the Bullet Club and tried to take over the place as every power-hungry individual would do. When John Cena returned, he turned heel and went after the franchise player to establish his dominance.
Soon, he became the face of the roster despite being a heel and let out his arrogant side that just irks everyone to at least some extent. The beauty of AJ is that he can both be an adorable babyface and also a despicable heel. Styles has showcased both of his sides in the past year.
His current program with Ambrose is a real gift for the fans.
#2 The Miz
There is evolution and then... there is EVOLUTION.
Can anyone evolve in a better way than The Miz has? At the start of the year, he was just an afterthought to many fans. But now, he is one of the attractions that fans tune into SmackDown for, week after week.
We have all loved to hate Miz before this year, but now we love to hate him with a passion. He has become a legendary heel with his wife Maryse by his side. The duo will give even legendary heels a run for their money.
His rivalry with Daniel Bryan is blossoming into something akin to the Austin-McMahon feud. Just that here the roles have been changed. The chemistry between them is just exhilarating. The IC championship has got back its fame due to the exemplary work put in by just one man.
It is even possible that The Miz has found his ticket to the Hall of Fame with this new evolution of his much-hated character. How the WWE rolls with this character going forward is yet to be seen.
#1 Chris Jericho
Who else can top this list?
You Stupid Idiots need to understand how great Jericho is. From creating the List of Jericho to parading in a scarf with a smug look on his face, Jericho has really shown to the world how to bring evolution to a character.
Let me ask this. Has Jericho simply changed his character from to heel to face or vice-versa?
No. What Jericho has done is something different. He has shown why he is the veteran and why others are amateurs compared to him. He has changed his wardrobe (that too after Ambrose destroyed it) and his lingo with his body language. With these subtle shifts, he has created yet another great character that will live in our minds.
That is true greatness!
In the entire year, he has had two feuds. AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. Ever since the brand extension, he has not been actively feuding with anyone. His character is a supporter of his best friend KO, which is akin to Dana Brooke’s, but the way he has portrayed it is something extraordinary.
Do you now get IT!?
I hope he continues evolving into better characters that give us lasting memories.
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