10 WWE wrestlers who had a horrible 2017

We usually start a new year with a lot of ambition and resolutions, but most of us don’t follow the plans. By the end of the year, we are left feeling like we haven’t done anything meaningful with our lives.

The same can be said for WWE wrestlers as well. A few WWE superstars started the year in a great fashion, but haven't lived up to the hype.

Here is a list of 10 WWE wrestlers who just couldn’t get going in 2017.

#10 Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin had a mildly dominant mid-card run in 2016, but he started 2017 poorly. In a January episode of Smackdown Live, Corbin suffered his first pinfall loss on the roster against John Cena since May 2016. However, Corbin had an impressive outing in the Royal Rumble match, lasting 32 minutes, and even eliminating 'The Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman.

Then, Corbin took part in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match but was eliminated by Dean Ambrose. This culminated in a pretty ordinary feud between the two. At WrestleMania 33, Ambrose and Corbin fought for the Intercontinental Championship, but Corbin was again unsuccessful. It seemed as if WWE would build up Corbin just to be used as a sacrificial lamb in title matches.

Corbin’s losing streak in big matches continued when he lost the Money in the Bank ladder match. A couple of boring feuds with Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura left fans disappointed. But, despite his poor performance, he went on to become the United States Champion. Hence, things may actually be looking good for The Lone Wolf. But, 2017 still remains a year to be forgotten for Baron Corbin.

#9 Rusev

Rusev’s year was lacklustre, to say the least. The Bulgarian Brute was poorly booked throughout the year. It’s hard to believe this is the guy that was so destructive during his early days in WWE.

From multiple alliances with Jinder Mahal and Aiden English to barely being seen on television, I actually thought that WWE released Rusev. His only highlight of the year came when he faced John Cena in a flag match at Battleground, and even then, Rusev ended up on the losing side.

Following that, Rusev lost to Orton in 10 seconds at SummerSlam. However, Rusev and English defeated The New Day to earn a spot in the fatal-four way tag team championship match at Clash of Champions. But, if history is any indication, you can expect Rusev to end up on the losing side again.

#8 Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch couldn’t really live up to expectations in 2017. She was involved in dull feuds and pre-show matches that really added no value to her career. Moreover, every time Lynch was involved in a big match, she lost.

She lost to Alexa Bliss for the vacant Smackdown Women’s Championship and even lost a six-pack challenge for the same title at WrestleMania 33.

The only highlight for Becky Lynch was being involved in the first-ever women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. She was involved in the traditional RAW Vs. Smackdown Survivor Series match, but lost the match again.

Two nights later, Lynch was attacked backstage by Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan, writing her off of television so she could film The Marine 6: Close Quarters. I can only hope that when she returns, she returns with a bang.

#7 Gallows & Anderson

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson held the Raw Tag Team Titles for two months at the beginning of the year. They even carried the gold into WrestleMania, but since then, they have slipped into obscurity. They pretty much just watched other tag teams steal the show. They haven’t been booked strongly and these days it seems as if WWE just don’t know what to do with them anymore.

These two are an interesting duo and they know how to entertain the fans. They definitely deserve a push but with The Shield reunion, that is unlikely to happen.

#6 Finn Balor

I know it’s not fair to include Balor in this list since The Demon King was out of action at the beginning of the year due to an injury. But, he still made it on this list because he hasn’t really established himself since his return. Those who watch NXT know just how good of an in-ring performer Balor really is.

When Balor debuted on the main roster, he was immediately given a push and even became the inaugural Universal Champion. But, Balor was sidelined due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the match. Since his return, however, Balor has been in some dull storylines involving Elias Samson and Bray Wyatt.

Finn Balor’s highlights for the year were his match against AJ Styles and the men’s Survivor Series Traditional match where he represented team Raw. This pales in comparison to his accomplishments last year.

Balor participated in a couple of number one contender matches for the Universal Championship and Intercontinental Championship, but he never really reached the heights he did when he first debuted on the main roster.

I really hope WWE has something planned for him in the future. Maybe after next year’s superstar shake-up, we will get to see Balor, Styles, Gallows and Anderson on the same brand and WWE can form their own version of Bullet Club. They can even call it “Balor Club” or “The Phenomenal Four”. Balor deserves a decent push, and I hope he gets it.

#5 Sasha Banks

2016 was a great year for The Boss. She won the Raw Women’s Championship multiple times and was involved in one of the greatest women’s feuds of all-time alongside Charlotte, making history in the process. It was quite obvious that in 2016, it was going to be difficult to beat Banks.

In 2017, however, Banks has sort of taken a backseat to her Four Horsewomen stablemate Bayley, helping her win the Raw Women’s Championship. Sasha Banks would eventually win her first title of the year against Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam, only to lose the belt four days later.

This may not be her fault, as it seems the company has preferred a heel champion for most of the year. Maybe a heel turn could benefit The Boss. She is already one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all-time. I don’t understand why the WWE management doesn't see Banks as a championship contender.

From a business perspective, she has a marketable gimmick, and from an in-ring perspective, she is awesome. She is one of the most popular women on the roster and has good mic skills. She ticks all the boxes required to be a champion in WWE but is constantly being held back.

In 2018, I would like to see The Boss regain her mojo, and rise to the top. She has shown just how good she is in big match situations and she deserves it. Banks and Charlotte helped put WWE women’s division on the map. For that alone, she deserves a decent run as a champion in 2018.

#4 Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose was Smackdown’s leading man in 2016, but 2017 has nothing to brag about for The Lunatic Fringe. Now, I know many people who are reading this are probably pulling out their hair and going bonkers. But hear me out first. Though Ambrose won the Intercontinental Championship and held the gold for 152 days before losing it to The Miz, he didn’t add any value to the title. He was involved in a forgettable feud with Baron Corbin and had to defend the Intercontinental Championship on the WrestleMania 33 kick-off show.

The Intercontinental Champions - one of the most prestigious titles - was defended on a pre-show. This wasn’t the first time the belt was defended in a kick-off show as well. But other than being Intercontinental Champion, what other memorable stuff has Ambrose done? It’s almost as if WWE just didn’t know what to do with him and they involved him in a bromance with Seth Rollins for a few months. It actually felt like a poorly written soap opera. At least Rollins got a victory over Triple H at WrestleMania.

Reuniting with his Shield Brothers may do Ambrose more good than bad. After reuniting with Seth Rollins, Ambrose won the Raw Tag Team titles making him a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion. This shows WWE has some major plans for Ambrose in near future, and one can only speculate as to what those plans are.

#3 Tye Dillinger

Since making his main roster debut, Tye Dillinger has been poorly booked in matches against Curt Hawkins and Aiden English. Despite winning his matches against Hawkins and English, Dillinger has yet to earn enough credibility with the fans.

He was popular with fans in NXT, but since debuting on the main roster, he has hit a brick-wall. There really isn’t much to say about his WWE career as of now. His biggest highlight of the year was being involved in a triple threat match against AJ Styles and Baron Corbin. Tye Dillinger needs to up his game in 2018.

#2 Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler may not have had the best year in 2016, but at least he had a memorable feud with The Miz. But in 2017, Ziggler has played more of a comic role to entertain fans. Ziggler is still one of the best in-ring performers in the company, but he has been one of their most underrated superstars. Even turning the heel did nothing to rejuvenate his career. He spent a few weeks doing gimmick impersonations and mocking other superstars.

His most notable wins of the year were against AJ Styles and Bobby Roode. Currently, he is involved in the United States title picture, but if the past is any indication, Ziggler won’t be walking out of Clash of Champions with gold.

It’s high time WWE properly utilized Ziggler or released him from his contract. Ziggler has a great in-ring ability and will do really well on the independent circuit.

#1 Shinsuke Nakamura

I was so excited when Nakamura made his debut on Smackdown Live. Nakamura was NXT Champion for the better part of 2016. Hence, when Nakamura made his main roster debut, there were a lot of expectations. Sadly, Nakamura’s poor booking has really shown why Japanese stars don’t fair well in WWE.

At least when Finn Balor debuted, he was pushed into the spotlight instantly, whereas Nakamura’s growth has been slow. Sure, he had a couple of WWE title shots that ended in a losing effort. Nakamura - one of the biggest stars in Japan - lost to Jinder Mahal - who was in a fictional band a few years ago. In what world is that fair?

To add insult to injury, his matches weren’t good either. Nakamura’s matches have been hugely criticized by fans. This is because everyone knows what Nakamura is capable of. The King of Strong Style has a big point to prove heading into 2018. With Styles as WWE Champion, we could have a classic Styles Vs. Nakamura match in the future.

I don’t see the point why WWE would sign him if they don’t intend on using him properly. He can be a valuable asset to the company if used properly.

I hope 2018 proves to be a much better year for The King of Strong Style.