I know most people here don't give a damn about Pro Wrestling Illustrated. But back when I was younger, before we all had the internet to talk about these things on, it was really the best place to get news and information. So because of that, I've made it a point to vote in their Awards section every year since I can remember.
The reason I bring that up is because usually there is someone from WWE I will vote for and easily think that this person is truly the wrestler of the year. In the long ago past, I of course, voted for guys from the NWA and WCW. But even when TNA was at it's strongest, I always defaulted back towards someone from WWE. It just made sense in my opinion.
The whole reason I bring this up is because this may be the first year in a LONG time I don't vote for someone from WWE for Wrestler of the Year. I think I'm going to vote for Kazuchika Okada. He won't win, of course, but I honestly think he has been the most consistent wrestler of the past 12 months. If Jay Lethal hadn't lost to Adam Cole, I would have put him in as a shoe in.
The reason I am mentioning that in THIS thread is because picking the best in WWE of 2016 is a bit difficult. If I want to pick consistency and excellence and achievement, then AJ Styles is easily Wrestler of the Year. Victory wise, skill wise, main event wise, title wise, he has been head and shoulders above EVERYONE. The only person who has any sort of advantage over him is Chris Jericho. Chris Jericho has by far been the most entertaining guy in WWE this year. That means a lot coming from me because I have NEVER been a Jericho fan. But he seems to have hit his stride this year. If WWE had the balls to give him a title run, he would undoubtedly be the pick. His segments are complete gold. His list is solid platinum. And his promos and abilities have made him the Man this year.
But I still think we have to include Kayfabe stuff in when we figure these things out. And AJ Styles- although he could never cut a Jericho worthy promo in his life even if he absorbed Ric Flair's soul- has been the stand out in my opinion.
So for the PWI Awards, I'll likely waffle between Styles and Okada before I put down my final vote. For the answer to this thread, it is undoubtedly AJ Styles.
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