WWE Raw: Examining The Best and The Worst of the Brand for 2017
By Bryan Heaton
Best Superstar: Braun Strowman
There was really no other alternative for this spot. From Royal Rumble to Christmas Day, Braun Strowman has been the absolute ace of WWE Raw. From fan support, to memorable moments, to in-ring ability, to total immersion into character, you can’t find another superstar who fits the bill like Braun.
Just take a look at what he’s accomplished these past 12 months. In January and February, he was still begging then-GM Mick Foley for “real competition.” By June, he was one of the top contenders for the Universal Championship. He became one of the studs on Team Raw at Survivor Series. And now, he’s again in position to challenge for the Universal Title in early 2018.
That doesn’t even scratch the surface of memorable moments. How many rings has Strowman broken in 2017? Or steel cages? He kicked Apollo Crews out of mid air. He died in a trash compactor and respawned a week later with ease. He walked away from a major automobile accident with but a scratch. Dude isn’t human, but he’s the greatest thing going in WWE.
Honorable Mention: The Miz
If The Miz had stayed on SmackDown Live all year, he very well could have been the top superstar over there. But Strowman is so head and shoulders above the rest that the best Miz could hope for is second best.
For all the work he did to elevate the Intercontinental Championship – both on SmackDown and Raw – Miz is definitely among the best superstars of the year. He’s as consistent as gravity, cuts great promos, and really gives off the impression that he loves the business and the industry. He’s enjoying himself doing what he does, and he’s soooooo good at it.
Next: 25 Greatest Pay Per Views in WWE History
Okay, folks – what did I get wrong?