The Puma Wrestling Index Top Ten

So it's that time of year when one of my favorite wrestling magazines releases its top 500 wrestlers. And as I am wont to do, it got me to thinking about who my top performers were for the past year. Now I'm not gonna give you a top 500 because as I type this I currently have the Chocolate Cub napping on my chest and frankly I'm not sure I could come up with 500 wrestlers if I tried. So you'll get ten and you'll like it. This free content baby!

10. Seth Rollins (WWE)

This entrance alone gets him a top 10 spot.

The architect of the Shield gets us started on this journey. Over the past year he has been probably the most steady force on the show. Anytime someone needs a good match throw Seth in there. He has been on a bit of a redemptive story line as he has seemingly made amends with Dean Ambrose over the dissolution  of the Shield and and they are the current Tag Team Champions.
Best Moment:
Beating Triple H with his own move at Wrestlemania.

9. The Miz (WWE)
2017 is really weird. Had you told me a few years that I would automatically be into whatever the Miz was saying I would have called you a liar but here we are. Never the most exciting guy in the ring but where he has made himself one of the best in the world has been on the microphone. Singlehandedly saving feuds with Dean Ambrose and John Cena just to name a few. If the A-Lister were to get another run with the top title, I don't think you'd hear a single objection from me.
Best Moment:
Bringing that hot fire on Talking Smack to Daniel Bryan.


8. Adam Cole (ROH/NXT)

Of all the legends who have gone through Ring of Honor such as AJ Styles, CM Punk, Samoa Joe etc., who can make the claim to being the only three time champion in the promotion's history? That's right. Adam Cole bay-bay! At only 28 years old he already has over a decade of experience and last year was a banner year for him. He joined the Bullet Club, had a great feud with Jay Lethal, and even as he left, he put over "the Villain" Marty Scurrll. Recently signed to NXT I'd expect him to be even higher on this list next year.
Best Moment:
Taking the spotlight at NXT Takeover Brooklyn.

7. Roman Reigns (WWE)
 Let's just go ahead and get this out the way, Roman Reigns the character is a dick. That constant smirk, questionable motivating tactics and feeling he's being shoved down the fans throats. That said in the ring, this guy is damn dynamite. His matched with Braun Strowman this year were ri-goddamn-diculous. He even got pushed over in a damn ambulance. So as much as I hate to do so, props must be given. And even with the overuse of the Spear by wrestlers today, no one does it better than Roman.

Best moment:

BAH GAWD HE KILLED HIM!

6. Samoa Joe (NXT/WWE)
Now on to one of my favorite wrestlers on the planet right now.  For years he was underappreciated and languished in TNA after a hot run with Kurt Angle on his arrival. After leaving TNA and recharging his battery in Ring of Honor he came into NXT and the rest is history. When his Godzilla inspired theme music hits someone is in for a long night. Feuds with Nakamura, Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar have been just magnificent.
Best Moment:
Calmly terrorizing Paul Heyman


5. Kevin Owens (WWE)
What a year for this guy. Since coming to the WWE he has won the Universal title, won the Intercontinental title, won the United States title and has put on show stealing matches night after night against the likes of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and of course his best friend and best enemy Sami Zayn. Currently looks like he is going into a program with Shane McMahon but give this guy a mic and get out his way. He will definitely make it worth a viewing.
Best Moment:
Breaking our hearts at the Festival of Friendship

4. Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT/WWE)
When it was anounced that the King of Strong style was leaving Japan for WWE I knew it was only a matter of time before he ended up here. A proficient striker and submission specialist but also a Michael Jackson cos player almost, he draws the attention of the crowd as soon as the strings begin on his theme. Since coming here he had great matches with Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode. Currently he's chasing the title on Smackdown and I expect the era of Strong Style to be upon us sooner rather than later.
Best Moment:
Debut match against Sami Zayn

3. Kazuichka Okada (NJPW)
Now any of my top three could have been number one but I'm putting the Rainmaker at 3.  Consistently this guy has put on classic after classic. From his wars with Tetsuya Naito to his ongoing saga with Kenny Omega this guy in your main event is a license to print money. And while he currently has zero interest in making a trip to the WWE one can only dream of some of the matches he would put on. For now I have no problem watching him tear it down with Omega, Minoru Suzuki and Naito.
Best Moment:
His trilogy of matches with Kenny Omega

2. AJ Styles (WWE)
Similar to Samoa Joe, AJ Styles was just treading water it appeared with TNA. After getting his release he made his way to New Japan and joined the Bullet Club...AND IMMEDIATELY BECAME THE BEST WRESTLER IN THE WORLD. Battles with Okada, Hiroki Goto, and Hiroshi Tanahashi made him the most talked about name in wrestling. When he came to the WWE he had some good matches but it didn't look like he belonged...that is until he took on John Cena. He brought out his heel persona and was putting on show stealing matches night in and night out. Hell even had a match with James Ellsworth and made it compelling.
Best Moment:
Headlining Royal Rumble against John Cena

And the man who in my opinion has been the top wrestler in the world...
1. Kenny Omega (NJPW)
Now on to the an who is hands down my favorite wrestler in the world. From being more of a comedy act and wrestling girls to the leader of the dastardly Bullet Club he has had quite the transformation. And he took it to the next level in the last year.  He became the first Gaijin to win the prestigious G1 Climax tourney in a classic bout with Hiroki Goto, won the first US Title in a classic bout with Ishii, and of course his creme de la creme trio of matches with Okada where in the third bout he finally was able to slay his top foe.
Best Moment:
Finally defeating Okada in the G1 Tourney.

Well folks there you have it, the first annual Puma Wrestling Index Top Ten, this will probably become a yearly thing but if it doesn't we had a good run.