15 Ups & 13 Downs For WWE In 2017

2. Best In The World?

AJ Styles WWE Champion SmackDown
WWE

AJ Styles' excellence goes without saying. He is, at the very least, the second best wrestler in the world, with only NJPW ace Kazuchika Okada fit to rival him for the crown. Even in WWE's infamously restrictive in-ring environment, 'The Phenomenal One' has affirmed his status among the elite with blow-away performance after blow-away performance, and after a stunning debut year in 2016, he continued the theme in 2017.

AJ's calendar kicked off with a barnstorming all-action spotfest against John Cena at the Royal Rumble. He then wrestled a great TV bout with Dean Ambrose two nights later, played a starring role in one of the greatest Elimination Chamber matches ever, and engaged in a fun trainwreck of a bout with Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. Sure, the Kevin Owens series was disappointing, but Styles followed it up with great performances against Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar, and closed the year by dragging not one, but two good bouts from the lowly Jinder Mahal.

2017's second and third quarters didn't offer AJ as many high-level opportunities as fans would've hoped, but he has rebounded nicely. His stock is so high that his foray in the US Title division felt like an elevation for the belt, not a demotion for the current WWE Champion, who is as good as he's ever been, even at 40 years old.

Advertisement
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.