By For Amarillo Globe-News
As we approach the end of 2016, it’s time to look back at what made it one of the best years in recent memory for WWE. The landscape changed, and new faces were introduced to the WWE Universe.
The year started in a big way as fans got to see the debut of current WWE Champion AJ Styles at last year’s Royal Rumble event. Heralded for his work across the world many fans were excited by the rumors of Styles coming to WWE. “The Phenomanal One” proved why numerous workers and wrestling enthusiasts view him as the best in the business today.
Styles’ established himself as a main event caliber performer with his first feud against Chris Jericho. After Jericho, Styles catapulted into the main event scene, getting two WWE title shots against then champion Roman Reigns. Styles then had arguably his best feud in WWE over the summer with future WWE Hall of Famer John Cena. Styles and Cena’s match at the Summerslam pay per view is my match of the year.
However, the biggest change that came in 2016 was the brand extension that created separate rosters from Raw and Smackdown Live. The brand extension has made new stars and revitalized a few careers, as well.
Before the split, the massive amount of talent in the WWE weren’t getting the television time needed to get over with today’s fan base. Now that time has been created by splitting the rosters. Guys like Braun Strowman are able to show more of what they can do, instead of being a secondary part of a segment used to get someone else over with the crowd.
Also, new stars like Alexa Bliss and Carmella have really showcased how good they are and are going to be in the very near future. Both ladies would have likely remained stuck in developmental for long periods of time had it not been for the split. But now both are quickly becoming top stars of the women’s division on Smackdown Live.
The brand extension has also revitalized the career of The Miz, in particular. Miz had been just a basic heel character that made you hate him because of his arrogance and better than you attitude, but thanks to rhe edition of his wife Maryse has his manager, plus several confrontations with Smackdown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan, The Miz has gotten a fresh take on his character.
Not only has Miz himself benefitted from this, but also the Intercontinental title he holds as well. The Intercontinental title was once a belt that was given to the man seen as the next big star of WWE, but has lost prestige over the last decade. The championship is truly relevant again and doing a great job of showing how important the title is to him and should be to everyone else, it’s gaining that prestige back.
Having two separate rosters has been great for business in WWE, even though there has to be a way to cut down on pay-per-views instead of having two most months, and it will be interesting to see where it’s goes in 2017 and the years to come.
What I want to see in 2017
The first thing I hope to see in 2017 is the debut of Samoa Joe, which I hope happens at the Royal Rumble in San Antonio. Joe will make a great imposing presence on either roster that is more than capable in the ring, as his moniker is the Samoan Submission Machine.
Another debut I want to see by Wrestlemania 33 is the former Japanese megastar Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura is one of the most charismatic superstars to come along in a long time and I think he’d make a great addition on the Smackdown Live roster.
Next year should also see Bobby Roode and Roderick Strong have runs with the NXT championship. Roode is definitely on the path to getting his NXT title reign because his “glorious” entrances is a huge fan favorite, and Strong may be a newcomer to WWE but his work will speak for itself when it’s all said and done.
Lastly, I want to see the NXT women’s division be rebuilt. Sure, it’s impossible to replace Charlotte, Bayley, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch, but as of now Asuka is the only credible talent there and no one seems to be able to give her a legitimate challenge.
