> WWE saw in resurgence in public ratings in 2016 after some internal remodelling.
The world's top wrestling company successfully negotiated the return of the Bill Goldberg which got fans excited once again.
WWE also got stricter with its rules and many athletes were suspended for various reasons. With a good year to bank on, we count the top ten wrestlers the brand was able to push:
1. John Cena
It seems Cena has been wrestling for the past 30 years. He might have had a reduced role this year (he was into movies a bit) but that cannot deny his status.
The SmackDown star helped the Rock defeat the Wyatt family at Wrestlemania 32 when he came back from an injury unannounced.
Though his shot at the WWE heavyweight title from AJ Styles was no good, he remained the face of the company in 2016.
2. Dean Ambrose
Probably the most loved man in WWE at the moment. Ambrose was once heavyweight champions this year. He defended his title against 5 different wrestlers until he lost it to current Champion AJ Styles.
Ambrose was voted as the "Most Popular Wrestler of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2014 and 2015. Who knows if he will be the one in 2016?
Dean Ambrose
3. Charlotte Flair
If not the injury suffered by Nikki Bella, Charlotte might not have made this list as she would never have won the Raw Women's Champion in her fourth reign.
A true Iron Lady, Flaitr is the daughter of the legendary Ric Flair. Expect her 2017 to get better.
4. Seth Rollins
Unlike Roman Riegns, Rollins has been approved by the crowd. The Raw brand member has been touted by critics and fans as the possible face of WWE in 2016 but it has not been the case.
He won the heavy weight title against Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank but lost the title minutes later to Dean Ambrose who cashed in his money for a shot at the title.
Seth Rollins after winning the heavy weight title
5. AJ Styles
Current heavy weight champions in WWE. Despite making his debut in early 2016, Styles has taken the company by storm.
Styles defeated Ambrose to become the WWE World Champion for the first time at backlash and hasn't looked back.
AJ Styles defeated Ambrose for the title
He can only get better in 2017.
6. Bill Goldberg
What a legend, what a come back!!! Goldberg returned to WWE after years away and his first match was against Brock Lesner and what did he do? He defeated the beast in less than two minutes.
Tears of appreciation rolling down my cheeks!!!
You only need to see the fight to see the genius of Goldberg.
7. Chris Jericho
2016 was looking like a terrible year for Jericho at the beginning but this amazing athlete came back strong.
On the August 1 episode of Raw, he teamed with Charlotte to defeat then Enzo Amore and WWE Women's Champion Sasha Banks in a mixed tag team match.
Jericho began a list called "The List of Jericho", in which he wrote down the name of the person that bothered him and why.
Chris Jericho
The List of Jericho soon became incredibly popular with the fans, with many critics describing Jericho and his list as "easily one of the best moments of Raw's broadcast
8. Cesaro
But for a terrible shoulder injury, Cesaro could have been bigger in 2016.
Cesaro has been known to emphasize his European origin as part of his wrestling gimmick, proclaiming a superior intellect and fashion sensibility.
Cesaro
Many critics and fellow professionals have called for Cesaro a former inter-continental champions to be considered for the heavy weight title. He could be a champion in 2017.
9. Sasha Banks
2016 is the year Sasha Banks finally fulfilled her potential. Snoop Dogg's cousin was not able to win the Diva's Championship from Charlotte.
Sasha Banks and her cousin Snoop Dogg
With Charlotte Flair, Banks is one of the two women to headline a WWE pay-per-view event, as well as one of the two women to compete in a Hell in a Cell match, both at Hell in a Cell in 2016.
10. The Miz
Miz is one of the most controversial wrestlers around but definately one of the most improved in 2016.
The Miz defeated Zack Ryder to become new WWE Intercontinental Champion on Raw
He won the intercontinental title on Raw in April 2016 and hasn't looked back.
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