10 Most Improved WWE Superstars Of 2016

8. Tye Dillinger

Few have a backstory like Tye Dillinger. Originally signed by WWE in 2006, he worked the ECW brand as “Gavin Spears” for a few months in 2008, but never ascended beyond jobber status and was released that December.

Dillinger didn’t give-up, however, even after failing to secure a TNA contract after a tryout match the following year. He continued working on the independent circuit and in Puerto Rico, and after four years out of the spotlight, WWE came calling again.

Dillinger joined NXT in 2013, and it might have taken him a long time to reach this point, but he’s become one of the brand’s most popular stars. Dillinger initially formed a bland low-level tag team with Jason Jordan, but the duo eventually split, and Tye adopted his “Perfect 10” gimmick in 2015. That’s when he started to catch-on with the audience, but his career really starting taking-off earlier this year.

Dillinger became so popular while working as a heel that NXT had no choice but to turn him face. Now, he’s one of the brand’s most likeable characters, and he’s grown into an incredibly reliable performer between the ropes. His popularity is such that the Toronto crowd even chanted his trademark “10” call through every referee’s count at Survivor Series, and given the improvements he’s made this year, a main roster call-up can’t be far away.