10 Wrestlers We're Most Thankful For In 2017

9. Keith Lee

AJ Styles WWE
Twitter, @RealKeithLee

Aside from maybe Zack Sabre Jr., no independent wrestler has been as consistent as Keith Lee this year. He is the new Chris Hero, reeling off ****+ bouts every single weekend, with his finest work veering towards 'Match Of The Year' territory. Lee's quality floor is 'good,' his ceiling is 'world class', and recent clashes against new WWE signing Donovan Dijak (PWG), Tomohiro Ishii (RevPro), and Travis Banks (PROGRESS) are must-see affairs for anyone with an eye outside WWE.

Keith Lee is a gift to professional wrestling fans. A truly unique performer, he tips the scales at over 330lbs, but flies around the ring like a Cruiserweight, pulling off Hurricanranas and suicide dives with the grace of a man with half his mass. He's no spot monkey, though: Lee is as powerful as his monstrous size suggests, and has a strong grasp of classic wrestling psychology, as exhibited into the many David vs. Goliath matches he's been involved with this year.

Skill, charisma, star power, presence: the man has everything WWE look for in a headliner, aside from ripped six pack abs. Perhaps 2018 will be the year they snap him up.

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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.