2. Dolph Ziggler

 

In 2012 we saw Dolph Ziggler finally step into the main event picture. He won Money in the Bank and put on consistently great matches with some of the WWE’s top talent. Ziggler is a heel you love to hate but have to respect.  If the end of 2012 is any indication, I truly think we are witnessing the start of the Dolph Ziggler era. I bet when we look over this list at the very end of 2013, the master of the Zig Zag will be in the midst of a title reign and in the number one spot.

1. CM Punk

 

The Nature Boy Ric Flair always said, “to be the man, you gotta beat the man.” And in 2012, nobody could beat THE man. When 2012 started, Punk was the WWE Champion. And when it ended, STILL the champion. He has taken on all comers and one way or another has always come out on top. Having Paul Heyman by his side is always a plus for me too. CM Punk is the longest reigning WWE Champion of the past quarter-century. Best in the world? Hard to argue with the man carrying the gold.

3. AJ Lee

 

Not only did AJ Lee have a better year than any other Diva on the WWE roster, but she had a better year than most of the guys too. She started 2012 off alongside then Champion Daniel Bryan. She followed that with ties to CM Punk, Kane, John Cena, and Dolph Ziggler. Not to mention a Slammy win and a stint as WWE General Manager. The “crazy chick” angle not only works for her, it makes her interesting and unpredictable. And with the departure of Eve, AJ could take over the Divas division in 2013.

4. Ryback

 

Very few superstars have been able to rise up the ranks as fast as Ryback did in his debut year. But “The Big Hungry” has become an amazing success story thanks to a combination of fan support and backstage support from the powers that be. Ryback headlined Pay Per Views, feuded with WWE Champion CM Punk and had his “Feed Me More” chant catch fire. The one thing that eluded him in 2012 was capturing gold. Smart money says that changes in 2013.

5. Sheamus

 

CM Punk held the WWE title for all of  2012, but he was not the only person to have a great year at the top. Let’s not forget that Sheamus won the Royal Rumble in 2012 AND captured the World title at WrestleMania in just 18 seconds. Since then he has gotten over as a face, may be the most powerful superstar in the WWE, and has been amusing on the Mike. The fighting Irishman has also had memorable feuds with the likes of Alberto Del Rio, The Shield, Daniel Bryan, and The Big Show.

Honorable Mention: The Shield 

 

The trio of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns quickly made their presence felt in the WWE. They have taken out some of the top stars in the company, from Sheamus and Randy Orton, to Team Hell No and Ryback. Their main event match at TLC showed that not only are they ready for the next level, but that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2013.

Honorable Mention: Kane & Daniel Bryan

 

People forget that Daniel Bryan held the World Heavyweight Championship at the start of 2012. He had solid angles with Punk, Sheamus and A.J. Then “goat face” and the Big Red Monster would go on to close out the year as Tag Team Champions, as well as being one of the best things about Monday Night RAW week in and week out.

Titles were changed, positions were filled, pipe bombs were dropped, old faces returned, new ones debuted, stars were made and champions were crowned. But mirror mirror on the wall, who had the greatest year of them all? Take a look at my top five WWE superstars of 2012.