Star of 2017 Award: Kenny Omega
Runners-Up: Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin, The Miz, Matt Hardy
Out of all the rising stars in 2017, Kenny Omega is likely going to be the biggest thing in 2017. Ever since AJ Styles left NJPW in January 2016, Omega has done wonders in becoming the new Bullet Club leader.
His promos have been spectacular, his matches more so, and his appeal has skyrocketed. He’s the first gaijin to win the G1 Climax, and his Wrestle Kingdom 11 performance was breathtaking. Even though he didn’t win the big one, there’s a good chance he’ll be a major fixture in NJPW and elsewhere throughout 2017.
As for WWE, you can expect three stars to reach the top in 2017. Shinsuke Nakamura has been a hit since his first match, and it’s only a matter of time before he Kinshasas his way to the top of one main roster show or the other.
Baron Corbin has improved by leaps and bounds in recent months, and might actually become an even bigger star as long as his improvements continue in 2017.
The Miz had a spectacular 2016, with excellent promos, strong matches, and a critical role as the best pure heel in all of WWE. He’s on fire right now, and may actually reach the top of the SmackDown roster for the first time since his first World title win in 2010.
Finally, Matt Hardy’s crazy character work has been a saving grace for TNA, to a point where his involvement has been the best thing anyone has said about the company all year. There’s a good chance that he’ll be a star in TNA for 2017, as there is still more craziness that he can do and get away with.
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