With 2017 in the books and attention turning towards the Royal Rumble, there is still some focus on which athletes from the professional wrestling industry have impressed the most.

While we all have our own opinions on which wrestlers, matches and feuds we found the best, it's often the awards from several popular publications which 'solidifies' the status of the best.

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR

As always, there's understandable excitement as Pro Wrestling Illustrated have handed out their awards - including the prestigious Wrestler of the Year award.

There are a handful of wrestlers from various promotions that have impressed and possibly deserve to be in the conversation, but it's current WWE Champion AJ Styles who has been named the 2017 PWI Wrestler of the Year, retaining his crown after winning the same award in the previous year.

The Phenomenal One has had a year that lives up to his nickname, as he entered the year as WWE Champion and - although he lost - he put on a match of the year contender against John Cena.

Despite not being in the title picture at WrestleMania 33, Styles stole the show with his victory over Shane McMahon and has continued to impress on a weekly basis.

That includes being a short-term replacement for Bray Wyatt against Finn Balor in an incredible match, as well as getting the best out of Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.

OTHER WINNERS

Now, Styles has a chance to start 2018 with a bang if he can retain the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble where he battles Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in a handicap match.

However, no other WWE star finished in the top spots with Styles the only representative.

IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada finished in the runner-up spot, while Kenny Omega and Cody took home the second and third runner-up spots respectively after they all had successful years themselves.

Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was awarded the most improved and most hated awards while Styles' second award saw him pick up the most popular wrestler award.

The Hardy Boyz received the best comeback award after their triumphant return at WrestleMania 33 where they became the RAW tag team champions. Asuka triumphed over Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Sienna to become the 2017 woman of the year while WWE's teams dominated the tag team of the year category - but missed out on the top prize.

The Young Bucks captured that honour ahead of The Bar, The Shield and The Usos.

What didn't come as a surprise, though, is that Okada and Omega won the match of the year award.

What do you make of AJ Styles' being named the 2017 PWI Wrestler of the Year? Have YOUR say in the comments section below and the fourth episode of GiveMeSport’s WWE podcast is here! Check it out via this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-818579649/gms-wwe-podcast-money-in-the-bank-fallout

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