1. Becky Lynch
World Wrestling Entertainment marketed the WWE Evolution event as a massive step forward for women in terms of equality in sports. If so, there is no one who deserves to be ranked at the top of the FITE rankings more than the WWE Smackdown Women's Champion Becky Lynch. The "Lasskicker" triumphed not only with a victory over Charlotte Flair in a Last Man Standing bout but in the quality of that performance. The two stars took it to each other with a level of violence rarely seen in WWE, period, meshing brawling, moonsaults, hard-hitting strikes and a cavalcade of foreign objects that collectively rocked the Nassau Coliseum. If Evolution was the peak for women's pro wrestling in WWE, Lynch set the standard for years to come.
2. AJ Styles
The road to WWE's Crown Jewel has been tumultuous, to say the least, with the company received a massive amount of scrutiny for returning to Saudi Arabia. This past week, WWE Champion AJ Styles was able to put at least some of the spotlight back on the storylines of the show. Styles won several strongly received live event matches against Shinsuke Nakamura and on Smackdown Live, defeated Daniel Bryan in a tremendously entertaining bout that was originally earmarked for Crown Jewel. After, Styles was haunted by the ghost of an old foe, as Samoa Joe returned from the darkness to set up a new bout this week for the Crown Jewel event. Styles continues to set the bar for professional wrestling and this week, he delivers yet again.
3. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey had big shoes to fill closing out the WWE Evolution PPV after the classic Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair match, but the Raw Women's Champion did it in style, easily overachieving expectations in her title defense against Nikki Bella. With a challenger who has had a recent history of neck issues and didn't carry anywhere near the combat sports legitimacy of the champ, Rousey expertly crafted and performed a top-notch WWE main event that brought the crowd home happy this past weekend. As she openly talks about wanting to start a family soon, there's no telling how long the former UFC star's WWE run will last, so enjoy it now, because it's something truly special and ground-breaking.
4. Samoa Joe
Just when you think it's safe to get back in the water…. like a movie monster who is resurrected to destroy again, the Samoan Submission Machine returned on Smackdown Live from his hiatus, shockingly destroying Daniel Bryan and usurping his Crown Jewel title match. If anyone knows how to make an impact, it's the former NXT, TNA and ROH Champion and this week, Joe smashed everything in sight, setting off a seismic shift in the process.
5. The Young Bucks
The countdown clock has started. With their Ring of Honor deals expiring this December, where in the world are Nick and Matt Jackson going to end up? There are rumors galore but the pride and joy of Rancho Cucamonga has remained focused on the now, including an appearance headlining the Jericho Cruise in a most unique six man tag team bout that will air this week on FITE as the Bucks and Jericho team to face Kenny Omega, Cody and Marty Scurll in an explosive bout starring the cast of "Being the Elite." Whatever the future holds, the Bucks continue to enrapture their audience. The Superkick Party lives on!
6. Charlotte Flair
Evolution was a rough night in some ways for Charlotte Flair, but in others, it was the culmination of the career she began in honor of her late brother Reid. Flair has been at the center of the rise of the WWE women's division and this past Sunday at Evolution, put in what may have been the most gifted performance of his career in the Last Woman Standing match against Becky Lynch. While Lynch retained the title, Flair gained another coveted notch on her belt, this one dedicated to the quality of her work. Undoubtedly, her brother would be proud.
7. Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard has continued to reap the rewards of her unique heritage, shimmering like a diamond over the Impact Wrestling Knockouts division. As she heads into her next title defense against Taya Valkyrie, Blanchard had a most unique way of preparing: setting a new world record. Her Iron Women battle against grizzled veteran Mercedes Martinez last 75 minutes for the RISE promotion in Illinois. Crisscrossing the country every week, Blanchard has all the tools to make it to the top of the FITE rankings. Don't doubt that Pedigree.
8. Chris Jericho
Leave it to Y2J to once again Break the Walls Down. As viewers on FITE will witness this weekend, Chris Jericho's Rock and Wrestling Rager At Sea will not only see Jericho become the first wrestler to headline a show held in the middle of the ocean but witness the culmination of an event that brought talents from WWE, Ring of Honor, Impact and beyond under one roof. While the wrestling on the show is top notch, Jericho is ranked this week for being the star who transcends all boundaries – the one who can legitimately show up anywhere at any time and face anyone. That's magic.
9. Tom Lawlor
As FITE viewers bore witness to the very first episode of Major League Wrestling: FUSION TV this week, Tom Lawlor scored a massive victory over former MLW Champion Shane Strickland, cementing his place as the top contender to Low Ki's MLW Championship. The former UFC star meshes striking ability with a deep knowledge of pro wrestling that is matched only by his great charisma. Lawlor is ready to get down and fight filthy for MLW greatness, and FITE viewers are along for the ride.
10. The Great Sasuke
It isn't often that a legend the likes of Michinoku Pro Founder the Great Sasuke steps foot into the United States, but when he does, history is usually made. That will be the case next month when Sasuke faces off with The Amazing Red at the Game Changer Wrestling presentation of Joey Janela's L.A. Confidential. This battle of two generation-defining flyers is already leading to speculation and discussion about the potential of this showdown. These two will fly over the city of angels with ease, but FITE will be the landing pad for all the action.
By: Mike Johnson
Every week here at FITE, we feature the Top Ten ranked personalities in the world of professional wrestling. Unlike other combat sports, pro wrestling cannot be measured in just wins and losses, especially when the drama and excitement of the genre is specifically based around not just the physical performance, but the excitement level created by its combatants. Thus, our top ten measures the most newsworthy performers in the business, who's momentum drives not just their own career paths but the promotions they compete for.
Mike Johnson is the lead reporter for PWInsider.com and has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He can be found on Twitter @MikePWInsider and MikeJohnsonWrites.com.
