10 Biggest Signings WWE Made In 2016
5. Austin Aries
Roderick Strong wasn't the only former Ring of Honor original and former world champion to sign with WWE this year. Austin Aries paved the way for his longtime tag team partner by coming to NXT at the onset of 2016, which was met with rapture from those familiar with his work in ROH and TNA.
Aries has been considered one of the best wrestlers in the world for over ten years, so him signing with WWE was inevitable. Similar to Samoa Joe, it seemed he was signed to the company's developmental system to add momentum to the black-and-yellow brand, though he wasted no time in exceeding all expectations officials had set for him.
Through his excellent encounters with Baron Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura, and No Way Jose, Aries has quickly proven himself to be a hot commodity on NXT. While an eye injury sidelined him from action and halted his hot streak, Aries popped up on the premiere episode of 205 Live as a color commentator, a role he will seemingly have until he is cleared to return to action.
It has been a solid debut year for Aries, and it appears 2017 will be bigger and better for him if he is indeed penciled in for the main roster.