20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now
2. Daniel Bryan
The idea that Daniel Bryan would even wrestle again (let alone re-assert himself as one of the best in the world) seemed impossible at the beginning of the year, and an imperfect start to his comeback run gave the impression that WWE would book the former SmackDown General Manager the way they always have: as a B+ player.
Turning heel changed everything. Yes, its necessity speaks volumes of WWE's inability to get people over as pure babyfaces anymore, but 'The New Daniel Bryan' is a phenomenal villain.
Condemning the audience's consumerism and disregard for the environment isn't a nefarious stance in itself, but Bryan's delivery is so whiny and condescending that even progressive-minded, left-leaning fans are compelled to jeer him. The character's excellence isn't restricted to patronising promos and covering concessions stand patrons in mustard, though. Bryan is a cunning, crafty shortcut-taker between the ropes, using smarts and technique to fell mightier opponents, as we almost saw when he faced off against Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
That match will go down as one of the best in either man's WWE career, but the recent AJ Styles series has been excellent too. Don't bet against them knocking it out of the park again on 27 January.
2018 ranking: n/a.