10 Most Disappointing Wrestlers Of 2016

Don't believe the hype: for these superstars, 2016 was a complete bust.

seth rollins
WWE.com

2016 was a year of huge talent migration, particularly in WWE. It started when AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows signed on January 4th, and it continued throughout the year. Dozens of wrestlers were signed, re-signed, called-up from NXT, or released from their contract, and the company's roster was almost unrecognisable on December 31st compared to what it looked like at the start of the year.

Aside from comings and goings, 2016 saw a number of WWE stars make big strides up the card. The Miz has established himself as one of (if not the) best heels in wrestling, and a vital cog on SmackDown. Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman, meanwhile, exceeded all expectations on their respective brands, and guys like Dolph Ziggler and Neville feel more important than ever.

On the other side of the equation, some WWE roster members will be doing all they can to put 2016 behind them. The likes of Kane, Big Show, and The Ascension have been as pointless as ever, and while nobody expected those wrestlers to rise up and steal the show in 2016, fans have been let down by several wrestlers who could (and probably should) have done so.

It's often impossible for wrestlers to live up to the extraordinary levels of hype that are thrown around these days, and these superstars are living proof. Here are the 10 most disappointing wrestlers of 2016.

10. Andrade "Cien" Almas

seth rollins
WWE.com

The past few years have seen a huge shift in NXT’s focus, and WWE’s third brand has gone from a standard developmental territory to a showcase for some of the best smaller stage workers in the world. The transition has propelled guys like Finn Balor and Kevin Owens towards main roster success, and while the new system definitely has its flaws, it has left WWE with one of the deepest talent rosters in history.

Formerly known as La Sombra, Andrade “Cien” Almas was supposed to be NXT’s next breakout star. The ex-CMLL star would presumably follow a similar trajectory to Owens and Balor, and quickly rise to the top of NXT’s card as soon as the crowd got to know him. Sadly, the crowd still haven’t gotten to know him, and Almas’ NXT career has been as flat as it gets.

Debuting him as a lifeless babyface was a mistake, as was decking him out in a goofy suspenders/trilby combination and saddling him with a generic flamenco-themed entrance song. Clearly uncomfortable in his face role, Almas limped through several months of mediocrity before eventually turning heel a couple of months ago, and while he looks a lot more comfortable in this character, he’s still struggling to adapt. Once one of Mexico’s most exciting wrestlers, Andrade Almas has lost his way.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.