10 Big Lessons WWE Must Learn From 2016
1. AJ Styles Is The Company's Real Star
Nobody has had a better year than AJ Styles. The former TNA and IWGP Champion made a huge impact upon debuting in the 2016 Royal Rumble, and has since become one of WWE’s biggest stars. He produces world-class pay-per-view performances like it’s second nature, and no matter who he steps into the ring with, you know Styles is going to deliver.
He became WWE World Champion by defeating Dean Ambrose a few months ago, and has found his footing as SmackDown’s biggest heel. While Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Kevin Owens mess around on Raw, Styles is shining brighter than anyone else. Reigns might be the pet project, but Styles has become WWE’s biggest star, and the guy they should build all future programming around.
Styles has benefited immensely from working with John Cena, and while the latter transitions to a part-time schedule, AJ is all set to become WWE’s next franchise player. He’s a complete performer with very few weaknesses, and his success has come organically, not because he was shoved down our throats.
AJ must be pushed to the moon in 2017. He should headline WrestleMania, continue as World Champion for as long as possible, and always be the company’s focal point. In him, WWE have a natural star who never fails to deliver on big-time performance, and he’s everything they need in a leading man.