10. Goldust
It's 2014 and we are legitimately talking about Goldust as one of the best wrestlers of the year. What is going on?! Its true! Goldust has been putting in the best work of his life since coming back and teaming with his brother Cody, who also belongs on this list, but it was worth recognizing Goldust. He's been involved in some of the most high profile and best tag matches of the year and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. I never thought I'd see a crowd of Goldust shirts past the 90's but I'm glad I do now.
9. Big Show
I've never been a big fan of the giant sized wrestlers. They don't move well and hardly have matches that you would call great, but Big Show has really stepped up in my eyes this year. I was really hoping to see Big Show's bully story lead up to a match with Triple H but instead we got a lame duck Randy Orton feud but everything leading up to that was pretty great. A lot of people had trouble with the crying Big Show but him taking Stephanie McMahon's abuse just made his rebellion that much sweeter. Just a shame it fizzled out so quickly.
8. ACH
If you don't like ACH then I'm not sure I like you as a person! This guy debuted in March for Ring of Honor and has been killing it ever since! Every match he's in turns explosive pretty quickly and it just seems so effortless to him. They partnered him up with Tadarius Thomas and they have become one of the best high flying tag teams in the business and every match that he's involved in is garunteed to have the craziest flips you've ever seen. Seriously, check this guy out!
7. Chris Sabin
Unlike Derrick Rose, Chris Sabin came back from two torn ACLs' better than ever! Now I really miss Alex Shelley in TNA and the Motor City Machine Guns but Sabin has been putting in some amazing singles matches and even won the world title! TNA is doing one thing right and that's proving that the little guy can hang with the big dogs and it helps when you have someone as talented as Sabin in the spotlight.
6. Bully Ray
Bully Ray has been as successful as any tag team wrestler can hope to be. He's an incredible talent and has proven is worth time and time again, and 2013 was his year for singles competition. Bully Ray was the leader of a powerful and interesting (but horribly misused) faction called Aces & Eights. He won and successfully defended his first world title multiple times while putting in some of the best matches in his career. In my opinion this was a long over due push for a legendary talent.
5. Austin Aries
Austin Aries is easily one of my favorite wrestlers. He's got a good look, the right attitude, and some flashy moves. The guy knows how to work a crowd and can use his talents to be an perfect heel or a face. Even if a match isn't the best Aries is able to save it and hold up his end of the deal. He may he stuck in X Division limbo right now but the man is world champion material and already had a great championship run and even an amazing tag run with Bobby Roode. I only expect more great things from Aries.
4. Brock Lesnar
Its hard not to include Lesnar on this list since he made it into multiple of my top ten matches, but more importantly he was in the best match if the year with Cm Punk. This man is a giant and still manages to put on a convincing fight against a wrestler half his size. I know Brock is kind of one note but he hit that note well in 2013.
3. The Shield
Oh The Shield I believe in you! The Shield is one of the best things to happen to the WWE in years and while they lost sight of their Hounds of Justice attitude they were still a formidable force to be reckoned with. Now all of these guys individually deserve a spot on this list but The Shield really stands together as a cohesive unit and it's better to recognize them as such. I will be very interested to see what's in store for all three of these superstars!
2. Cm Punk
Cm Punk could have easily been number one again. He had the top two best matches of the year, but didn't have the strongest year overall. He came into the year as the most dominant champion and put on the best show of his life and even took on his best friend Paul Heyman. Punk is always an expert in the ring and and a genius on the microphone and he fell oh so short of the number one spot but he still stole the show time and time again.
1. Daniel Bryan
Yes! Yes! Yes! Daniel Bryan has completely captured the WWE Universe and holds them in the palm of his hand! No one has been more over since Stone Cold. I have been left speechless by the crowds reaction to Bryan. He says one simple word and an entire stadium explodes! The WWE has something special here and hopefully they don't squander it and let it slip away from them. Daniel Bryan has overcome so much in the last year and performed in a number of mind blowing matches. Daniel Bryan is worthy of the number one spot and could easily hold this momentum!
So what do you think of the superstar of the year list? Sound off in the comments and you can always find me on Twitter @advent_crash.
Honorable Mentions: Jay Brisco, Sami Zayn, Jeff Hardy, Magnus, Bray Wyatt, Jimmy and Jey Uso,
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