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Summer 2018 is nearly at an end, and it's been a wild time for pro wrestling.
Big news events like All In and Lesnar's return to the Octagon clashed with the G1 tournament and Randy Orton's unfortunate backstage drama for wrestling fan's attention. At the same time it seemed nearly every wrestling promotion out there upped its game in the quest for ever more fans and market share.
During this time of turmoil, the 'big belt' holders--usually referred to as the World Champion of their respective company--are expected to be the standard bearers, leading their whole rosters into battle for ratings supremacy. In this fun slideshow,
we'll be looking at this summer's big belt champions, from the three WWE brands to ROH and New Japan, as well as Impact/GFW. Our goal is to objectively evaluate which champion had the best run over the summer months, and we will use four criteria to determine that.
(In order to be considered for this list, the champion must have held the title for at least thirty days during the summer and/or be the current champion as of this writing.)
The Criteria:
Dominance: Did the champion hold the belt for a majority of the summer?
Contenders: A champion is only as good as those who challenge him, so both the number and quality of title defense opponents is accounted for.
Talent: Does the champion perform well inside the ring from bell to bell?
Popularity/Marketability: Does the champion represent his company well? Is their reign good or bad for business?
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Without further ado, let's begin the list in no particular order.
#1 AJ Styles: WWE World Champion (Smackdown Brand.)
The Phenomenal one continues his epic WWE run as Smackdown's World Champion. He continues to dazzle on the blue brand with his mix of technical expertise and high flying daredevilry.
AJ's Grades:
Dominance: AJ held onto the title he won back in 2017 throughout the entire summer, earning top marks. Grade: A+
Contenders: Styles fended off the challenges of Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev, and Samoa Joe, though he technically lost the last contest due to a DQ and remains champion on a technicality. Because of the loss to Joe, AJ's grade suffers a bit. Grade: B
Talent: AJ Styles is without question one of the most skilled professional wrestlers in the world. His supreme athleticism and sense of timing is so perfect it's down right scary. Grade: A+
Popularity/Marketability: Among wrestling fans, AJ is 'phenomenally' popular. He does however lack a strong social media footprint or mass market recognition. Grade: B
AJ's overall grade: B+ Styles has enjoyed a great summer but the loss to Joe lowered his scores a bit.
#2 Brock Lesnar: Former WWE Universal champion (Raw Brand.)
Though he recently lost his title to Roman Reigns, Lesnar was champion for most of the summer and still deserves consideration on this list.
Brock's Grades:
Dominance: Brock held the title for most of the summer, however he had only one defense in that time, and he lost the belt. Grade: D
Contenders: Brock had only one contender, Roman Reigns, who is a top-tier talent. However, it was only one challenger for the entire ninety plus days of summer. Grade: C
Talent: Brock has slowed down from his triple powerbombing days, but he still can work a decent match with the right opponent. Grade: C
Popularity/Marketability: This is a double edge sword. On one hand, Brock's enormous name recognition and appeal is likely to get casual and non-wrestling fans to tune in to his infrequent contests. On the other, the more dedicated wrestling audience seems to resent him. He splits the difference with an average grade. Grade: C
Overall Grade: C- Brock's lack of title defenses and the fact he lost to his sole contender lower his grade, as well as his polarizing effect on fandom.
#3 Roman Reigns: Universal champion (Raw Brand.)
After numerous setbacks and defeats, the Big Dog finally captured the Universal title from Brock Lesnar.
Roman's grades:
Dominance: Reigns has just barely begun his title reign, but he did defeat a record breaking title run by Brock Lesnar. Grade: B
Contenders: Reigns has yet to face anyone, and has not had time to, so this category will not be included in his total. Grade: N/A
Talent: Reigns isn't a great technical wrestler, but he's light years ahead of men like Gene Snitsky or Big Daddy. Grade: C
Popularity/Marketability: Reigns, like Cena before him, is a polarizing figure. However, his merchandise sales and famous cousin the Rock increase his overall grade in this category. Grade: B
Overall Grade: C+ Given that he has just barely begun his title reign, Roman Reigns scores above average.
#4 Tommaso Ciampa: NXT Champion (NXT brand.)
The Sicilian Psychopath is perhaps WWE's most compelling heel wrestler today. His feud with Gargano has put him on the wrestling map due to their insane performances.
Ciampa's grades:
Dominance: Ciampa won the belt midsummer from Aleistair Black, and has defended it five times--above and beyond the 30 day requirement. Grade: A+
Contenders: Ciampa has defeated Velveteen Dream, EC3, Black, and Gargano to retain his gold. Grade: A+
Talent: Ciampa has been nominated for match of the year twice just in 2018, and his technical game is second to none save, perhaps, Gargano. Grade: A+
Popularity/Marketability: Ciampa is quite over with the NXT Universe, and wrestling fandom in general. However, he is not well known outside of wrestling. Grade: B
Overall Grade: A+ Ciampa's dominance, top tier performances against worthy talent, and popularity with the wrestling fan shove him into the stratosphere.
#5 Kenny Omega: IWGP Heavyweight Champion (New Japan.)
Everyone's favorite Otaku finally defeated long time rival Okada to capture the New Japan 'big belt.'
Omega's grades:
Dominance: Omega won his championship back at the beginning of summer. However, he has only defended it one time since, much less than the every thirty days most wrestling fans expect. Grade: B
Contenders: Omega faced Cody, widely recognized as one of the top wrestling talents in the world, but that was his only defense...and he still has yet to face Okada in a rematch. Grade: C
Talent: Hard working, insanely strong, unbelievably agile, and capable of getting fans emotionally invested in the product, Omega might just be the best wrestler in the world today. Grade: A+
Popularity/Marketability: Omega is beloved by fans all over the world, and his forays into video game contests and podcasts as well as a strong social media footprint make him one of the best standard bearers today. Grade: A+
Overall Grade: B+ Omega is a great champion, but his lack of defenses lower his grade somewhat.
#6 Jay Lethal: ROH World champion. (Ring of Honor.)
Critics who believed Jay Lethal would never escape his comedy gimmick past have to be surprised about his elevation to one of the world's top international superstars.
Jay's Grades:
Dominance: Jay Lethal won the ROH world title from an injured Dalton Castle at the beginning of the summer, and held it ever since. Grade: A
Contenders: Lethal has defended his belt twice, against Jonathon Gresham and Mark Haskins, both worthy challengers but far from the best the world has to offer: Grade: B
Talent: Jay is a gifted athlete who seems born to be inside a wrestling ring. Grade: A+
Popularity/Marketability: Jay is beloved by the ROH fans, but his aloofness and recent accusations of harassment have hurt his image. Also, he's relatively unknown outside of wrestling fandom. Grade: C
Overall Grade: B Jay Lethal is a capable champion, but might not be the man ROH needs as their standard bearer at the current time.
#7 Austin Aries: Impact Wrestling World Champion (Impact/GFW)
The Greatest Man who Ever Lived has made a huge impact...no pun intended...upon his release from WWE.
Austin's grades:
Dominance: Aries spent the entire summer as Impact's big belt champion, the only person on our list to do so. Grade: A+
Contenders: Aries defended his belt against Rich Swann, Dustin Cameron, Falah Bahn and Eddie Edwards, a list of worthy foes. Grade: A+
Talent: Austin Aries is always in the discussion when the topic of 'world's greatest wrestler' is brought up, and for good reason. Grade: A+
Popularity/Marketability: Among wrestling fandom, Aries is insanely popular as his belt collection can attest. However, almost no one has ever heard of him outside of pro wrestling. Grade: B
Overall Grade: A Austin really couldn't have performed better this summer.
And the most dominant champion of Summer '18 is...Tommaso Ciampa!
When considering all our criteria, Ciampa is the clear winner. His top level skills and dominant performances against capable foes earned him the highest grade possible.
Congratulations to Tomasso Ciampa, and thanks for reading!
