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2017 was a year of highs and lows in the WWE. We were treated to some spectacular matches and storylines and also some disappointing and heartbreaking moments.
Irrespective of everything, the Superstars of Raw, Smackdown Live and NXT have entertained the fans. With that in mind, let's list the top 5 WWE Superstars of 2017.
#5 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens is one of the main reasons to tune into the WWE programming every week. When he had to drop the Universal Championship to Goldberg at Fastlane, one would've thought it would be the end of Owens' time as a main eventer. But he went on to defeat Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 33 to win the United States championship and over the course of the year, he has held the title three times.
The WWE higher-ups have their confidence in Owens and believe that he will be a key factor for the WWE in the years to come. It was made evident when Vince McMahon himself volunteered to take a beating in Owens' hands.
Even though Owens wasn't a champion at the time, he was chosen to main event the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, where he defeated Shane McMahon in an excellent match.
Owens is a veteran in the industry and has proved to everyone that he is one of the best in the industry and he deserves to be in the top 5 rankings.
#4 Jinder Mahal
Now, before your jaws drop and eyebrows raise, let me explain why Mahal is in the top 5 rankings of 2017.
No one really saw it coming when Jinder Mahal, who was thought of as a perennial jobber, became the No. 1 contender for Randy Orton's WWE Championship.
Orton was in the middle of a feud with Bray Wyatt when Mahal became the new challenger to the title. Many of us would've thought that it would be just another squash match where Orton will hit an RKO out of nowhere and defeat Mahal with ease.
But the WWE Universe were shell-shocked when Mahal defeated Orton to win the WWE Championship for the very first time. Most believed that we would never see this happen as the former 3MB member went on to be WWE Champion for six months, until he dropped it to AJ Styles earlier this November.
He is in the best shape of his career and has reinvented himself during his time away from the company. There is no denying that he put in a lot of hard work to get to where he is today and he certainly reaped his benefits.
#3 AJ Styles
If 2016 was the year of AJ Styles, then 2017 was no different. The Phenomenal One has proved without a shadow of a doubt that he is the best wrestler in the world right now.
After losing to John Cena in the Royal Rumble in what was a match of the year contender, Styles went on to feud with Shane McMahon which culminated in an excellent back and forth match at Wrestlemania 33.
Styles went on to have two reigns as the United States Champion and regained the WWE Championship. The fact that Styles was not booked to be squashed by Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series but was booked to look very strong even in defeat proves that WWE has high respect for the veteran.
His matches with Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar proved that he is indeed 'Phenomenal' and rightfully belongs in the top 5 rankings.
#2 Roman Reigns
You can disagree with me on Roman Reigns being ranked above AJ Styles. But popularity and the kinds of matches a wrestler had in the year alone does not determine the rankings.
Roman Reigns is Vince McMahon's chosen one to carry the company forward as their top star in the future. The way he is being booked, it is pretty evident that he is indeed the heir to John Cena's throne.
The WWE Universe has been criticising Reigns on his in-ring work and his mic skills. But just like wine, Reigns seems to be getting better with age and has improved a lot in the ring and in his promos. The verbal exchanges with John Cena goes to show that he's certainly improved on the mic. He is also winning back the crowd support thanks to the Shield reunion.
Reigns is now en route to defeat Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans and lift the Universal Championship. Once that happens we can expect to see Reigns at the top of the WWE for many years.
#1 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is the breakout star of 2017. The Monster Among Men has been wreaking havoc on the roster through the year and we expect the same to continue in the years to come.
When Strowman was split up from the Wyatt family and was given a singles run, most of us would've thought that he would be added to the list of failed monsters of the WWE who lost their relevancy as the time passes.
But WWE proved us all wrong. They have booked Strowman to look strong in every match he steps into; he is protected even in defeat. There were only two instances when Strowman was pinned clean - -one was against Roman Reigns at Fastlane and the other came against Brock Lesnar at No Mercy.
Strowman has all the momentum on his side right now and we can expect him to carry the same into next year. Taking all that into consideration, he rightfully takes the No. 1 spot in the Top 5 rankings for 2017.
