According to a story at wrestlinginc.com, in what probably comes as no surprise to anyone that's been watching pro wrestling for the past year or so, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked Daniel Bryan #1 on its annual list of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the industry. The time period the magazine used for its evaluation was from July 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014 with the top 10reading like this:
1. Daniel Bryan
2. Randy Orton
3. John Cena
4. AJ Styles
5. Kazuchika Okada
6. Bray Wyatt
7. Roman Reigns
8. Magnus
9. Adam Cole
10. Bully Ray
As I alluded to, it's no real surprise PWI ranked Bryan #1 considering his huge surge in popularity, the storyline involving him against The Authority and the major role he played at WrestleMania XXX.
I'm a little surprised to see Randy Orton as high on the list as he is, though it's not hard to see why he's in the top 10. His role in Bryan vs. The Authority precipitated Orton's heel turn, Orton became the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion, his feud with Bryan culminated at WrestleMania XXX just before taking part in Evolution's feud against The Shield.
John Cena being in the top 5 isn't surprising. He's the biggest star in pro wrestling and the magazine has ranked him in the top 5 every year since 2005, with the exception of 2008.
AJ Styles made a big splash in the past year. He parted ways with TNA after being the guy who many saw as the heart & soul of the promotion since its inception. Styles has gone onto find success in New Japan Pro Wrestling and is currently on day 146 of his 1st reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Okada's been a big deal for the past 2.5 years or so in New Japan. He won the G1 Climax in 2012 and 2014, he won the New Japan Cup in 2013, his second reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, which was ended by AJ Styles, lasted 391 days and is the 2nd longest run with the title since 2002.
Bray Wyatt's become one of the most interesting characters in wrestling. Wyatt's character is fresh, fun and his work on the mic has been second only, arguably, over the course of the past year or so to Paul Heyman.
Roman Reigns is someone I don't really agree with as far as a top 10 choice. Personally, I think Seth Rollins has made a much bigger splash since The Shield's break up than Reigns has.
Magnus is someone that I can see reaching the top 10, it's just a shame that his career looks to be in a downward spiral since dropping the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Eric Young back in April. He's a young, talented guy that has a ton of upside, but the last two thirds of 2014 haven't been a great time for him.
Adam Cole is another young guy with a ton of upside. I'll be surprised if WWE doesn't make a play for him at some point. Cole's run as ROH World Champion lasted a strong 275 days, so I can see why he made it this year.
Bully Ray is, in my eyes, the last guy to hold the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as a great champion. Ray's work in TNA throughout 2013 is, arguably, the best work of his career. I'd have ranked him higher than #10 personally, certainly above Roman Reigns and Magnus.
1. Daniel Bryan
2. Randy Orton
3. John Cena
4. AJ Styles
5. Kazuchika Okada
6. Bray Wyatt
7. Roman Reigns
8. Magnus
9. Adam Cole
10. Bully Ray
As I alluded to, it's no real surprise PWI ranked Bryan #1 considering his huge surge in popularity, the storyline involving him against The Authority and the major role he played at WrestleMania XXX.
I'm a little surprised to see Randy Orton as high on the list as he is, though it's not hard to see why he's in the top 10. His role in Bryan vs. The Authority precipitated Orton's heel turn, Orton became the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion, his feud with Bryan culminated at WrestleMania XXX just before taking part in Evolution's feud against The Shield.
John Cena being in the top 5 isn't surprising. He's the biggest star in pro wrestling and the magazine has ranked him in the top 5 every year since 2005, with the exception of 2008.
AJ Styles made a big splash in the past year. He parted ways with TNA after being the guy who many saw as the heart & soul of the promotion since its inception. Styles has gone onto find success in New Japan Pro Wrestling and is currently on day 146 of his 1st reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Okada's been a big deal for the past 2.5 years or so in New Japan. He won the G1 Climax in 2012 and 2014, he won the New Japan Cup in 2013, his second reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, which was ended by AJ Styles, lasted 391 days and is the 2nd longest run with the title since 2002.
Bray Wyatt's become one of the most interesting characters in wrestling. Wyatt's character is fresh, fun and his work on the mic has been second only, arguably, over the course of the past year or so to Paul Heyman.
Roman Reigns is someone I don't really agree with as far as a top 10 choice. Personally, I think Seth Rollins has made a much bigger splash since The Shield's break up than Reigns has.
Magnus is someone that I can see reaching the top 10, it's just a shame that his career looks to be in a downward spiral since dropping the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Eric Young back in April. He's a young, talented guy that has a ton of upside, but the last two thirds of 2014 haven't been a great time for him.
Adam Cole is another young guy with a ton of upside. I'll be surprised if WWE doesn't make a play for him at some point. Cole's run as ROH World Champion lasted a strong 275 days, so I can see why he made it this year.
Bully Ray is, in my eyes, the last guy to hold the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as a great champion. Ray's work in TNA throughout 2013 is, arguably, the best work of his career. I'd have ranked him higher than #10 personally, certainly above Roman Reigns and Magnus.
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