11 most improved WWE Superstars of 2017

Several members of the Wyatt Family have significantly improved this year
Several members of the Wyatt Family have significantly improved this year

Another full year of WWE wrestling is almost over and we've seen some incredible things take place in 2017; Shane McMahon jumped off of the roof of Hell in a Cell, Goldberg won a WWE title and AJ Styles proved he really is phenomenal.

But aside from the storyline shocks, one of the best things to do as a wrestling fan is to watch Superstars develop and improve as time goes on, and this year, several WWE Superstars have improved significantly.

Here's the 10 most improved WWE Superstars of 2017


#11 Lana

Lana is desperately trying to improve and is putting the work in to do so
Lana is desperately trying to improve and is putting the work in to do so

Lana still might not be the best in-ring talent, but her skills with a microphone and as a valet shouldn't be under question at this point, with people still patiently waiting for her to be reunited with Rusev.

However, anyone who watches 'Total Divas' can see how hard Lana is working to improve her in-ring abilities and earn herself the opportunity to actually compete in matches on SmackDown LIVE, something that the company recently decided they didn't need Lana to do.

There's no denying that Lana has a long way to go, but it's clear to see that she has improved by leaps and bounds this year.

#10 AJ Styles

'The Phenomenal One' doesn't need to improve in the ring, but the WWE has finally booked him for what he is - a mega star
'The Phenomenal One' doesn't need to improve in the ring, but the WWE has finally booked him for what he is - a mega star

What am I doing? Putting AJ Styles in a list of most improved Superstars of 2017, have I gone mad? Well, actually no. Styles' in-ring performances have never been in question, but his position within the WWE has been.

I truly believe that 2017 was the year that AJ Styles cemented himself as an all-time wrestling legend and proved to Vince McMahon and the other WWE higher-ups that he can carry the company as one of its best wrestlers.

The evidence is there that the WWE have finally come round to treating Styles like the huge star that he is, giving him the Balor match at the RAW pay-per-view TLC and putting the title on him for Clash of Champions to face Lesnar. I think 2018 will see Styles continue to be the defacto face of the company.

#9 Jason Jordan

Jason Jordan is running with the Kurt Angle son storyline and working wonders with it
Jason Jordan is running with the Kurt Angle son storyline and working wonders with it

Jason Jordan was paired with Chad Gable to help him flourish in NXT, as he was a competently able wrestler but not skilled on the microphone and not particularly charismatic enough to get over with the audience.

But Jordan soon found himself on his own in the main roster as Kurt Angle's storyline son and had to rely on his promo abilities to get the programme over. People were underwhelmed at first but Jordan seems to have finally found his groove as the whiny, entitled son of the General Manager and future heel in the making.

Now, opinion on Jordan seems to be turning from 'he sucks' to 'he's getting himself over as a heel' with people finally seeing that he has a huge upside as a WWE Superstar. Vince McMahon is also said to be thrilled with how Jordan and his storyline are progressing.

#8 The Bludgeon Brothers

Harper and Rowan are better as the Bludgeon Brothers than they were as singles competitors
Harper and Rowan are better as the Bludgeon Brothers than they were as singles competitors

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan have seen little success outside of the Wyatt Family with several sporadic singles runs going nowhere for either Superstar. But, sometimes, all a Superstar needs to improve is a repackaged gimmick that plays to their strengths and a clear direction.

Now Harper and Rowan are the Bludgeon Brothers and they look like a hugely promising tag-team in an already stacked tag-team division on SmackDown LIVE. They have an enigmatic entrance, a decent gimmick and they get to literally bludgeon people in the ring.

#7 Drew Gulak

I for one support Gulak's campaign for a 'Better 205 LIVE'
I for one support Gulak's campaign for a 'Better 205 LIVE'

Another Superstar who has shown that a slight gimmick change, being more like yourself and a top-notch comedic prop are all that's needed to take you out of obscurity and thrust you into the limelight, which is exactly what happened to Drew Gulak.

He shaved, grew his hair out and started presenting a Powerpoint Presentation for a 'Better 205 LIVE' which showcased his natural charisma and comedic ability. He got immediately over and is now one of the most popular talents the WWE has on the main roster, let alone the Cruiserweight Division.

#6 Mojo Rawley

Mojo Rawley is close to convincing me he's good
Mojo Rawley is close to convincing me he's good

For a long time, I didn't like Mojo Rawley, I couldn't understand why he was allowed to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal or why the WWE were even investing in him at all. I tolerated him in The Hype Bros because I liked Zack Ryder.

However, Rawley's work since he turned on Zack Ryder, including his video promos on social media and their match on the Clash of Champions pre-show, has really impressed me. I still don't like him, but if he keeps up this level of intensity and promo work I might be won over.

#5 The Velveteen Dream

Patrick Clark has to be a shoe-in for NXT Superstar with the most potential
Patrick Clark has to be a shoe-in for NXT Superstar with the most potential

Who would have thought that Patrick Clark from Tough Enough would have a potential match of the year candidate in 2017! But that's exactly what happened when Clark, with the eccentric 'Velveteen Dream' gimmick, took on Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: WarGames

The two put on a match so good that it threatened to steal the show from the War Games main event match. Clark, who is still incredibly young, could cement himself as a future star in the eyes of many members of the WWE Universe, many have pegged him as potentially the first ever black WWE Champion.

#4 Killian Dain

The 'Beast of Belfast' could have a superb future judging from his recent performances
The 'Beast of Belfast' could have a superb future judging from his recent performances

Dain might have been the 'muscle' of SaNItY, but he's had a breakout year in 2017. First of all, he was undefeated in singles competition for a long time, losing an NXT Championship #1 Contendership match to Drew McIntyre. He then had that blinding performance in the War Games match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames and dominated in the tournament to crown a new #1 contender for the NXT title.

Dain has impressed and there's hope that he could be one of the next generation of 'big men' on the main roster once Superstars like Kane, Big Show and Brock Lesnar eventually leave the WWE behind.

#3 Enzo Amore

Enzo has excelled in the Cruiserweight Division
Enzo has excelled in the Cruiserweight Division

Enzo Amore is not the most popular of WWE Superstars backstage, and is arguably one of the worst in-ring workers the company has on its roster, but bizarrely he's currently the Cruiserweight Champion.

That's because Enzo Amore took the ball and ran with it when he was transferred to 205 LIVE and his heel antics and unlikable persona have helped to elevate the Cruiserweight Division as a whole, bringing out the best in some of the other fairly bland, yet talented Superstars like Noam Dar and Tony Nese.

#2 Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy is much better now that he's 'Woken'
Matt Hardy is much better now that he's 'Woken'

Let's be honest, Matt Hardy was re-signed to the WWE for a reason, but when Jeff Hardy was injured and Matt couldn't become 'Broken', it all seemed to be a waste of time, with Matt then just aimlessly wrestling every now and then.

However, now that Matt Hardy is 'Woken' his career within the WWE seems assured as interest in the gimmick is still sky-high despite the lengthy absence. This kind of character-work could keep Hardy employed for a long time.

#1 Braun Strowman

2017 was the year of Braun Strowman
2017 was the year of Braun Strowman

Who would have thought that Braun Strowman, of all people, would be the most over member of the Wyatt Family at the end of 2017, but the 'Monster Among Men' has absolutely owned 2017 and looks set to continue his meteoric rise to the top of Monday Night RAW in 2018.

Let's not forget that when Strowman debuted, there were cries of 'not another generic big man' and 'he can't wrestle', but I think even his fiercest critics have been won over by his work now.

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