10 Unexpected WWE Standouts Of 2016
No one expected the impact these superstars would make this year.
"Anything can happen in WWE." It's a line Vince McMahon's spokespeople like to shove into the audience's ears, filling them with false hope that in the mess of predictable booking, they will produce something that will shock you.
Yes, it's true that in 2016, WWE continued with tropes we've come to despise over the years. 50/50 booking, weak champions, half-hearted attempts at humor, and McMahon's fascination with pushing potential "muscle and fitness" models to the top spot on the card are some of the many boring trends that the company persists with.
That's not say the year hasn't seen some surprises, though. As it comes to a close, let's take a look at 10 unexpected standouts from WWE in 2016.
10. The Brian Kendrick
Now, to be honest, I could just say all the cruiserweights were standouts due to the CWC, but once that was over, there was really only one man that stood out, and that was The Brian Kendrick.
Kendrick's story in the CWC, that of a veteran getting one last shot at redemption, made him an instant sentimental favourite. Even though Kendrick may not have youth on his side, he proved he could still keep up with the fast-paced action of the young lions of WWE, and put on classic matches. His post-elimination embrace with good friend Daniel Bryan was one of the most emotional parts of the tournament.
When the cruiserweights moved up to RAW, the main problem was a lack of identity and character. While recent standouts like Rich Swann and Jack Gallagher have come into their own, there was only one man that the audience recognized. That was Kendrick. The man with a plan managed a flawless transition from a sympathetic veteran to a delusional heel grasping at any shred of success he could see. With inaugural Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins flopping, Kendrick stepped in to save the division from certain failure.
With the recent addition of Neville in the division, Kendrick's role as top cruiserweight heel may have been passed on. That being said, it was the hard work of The Wizard of Odd that helped it survive through its rocky inception.