With a year of Impact Wrestling in the books and the promotion’s move to Destination America confirmed, Review Fix breaks down the top ten performers in the company for 2014. From Tag Teams, to Knockouts and the promotion’s bonafide stars, check out our list to see if your favorite TNA performer made the list.
Honorable Mention: James Storm: His new Bray Wyatt-esque persona and faction of misfit toys with be over big in 2015. Although his days as TNA World Heavyweight Champion are long gone, he’s still one of the best workers in the company and someone who has more potential on the microphone than you think.
10: Magnus: His run as TNA World Heavyweight Champion in 2014 was mired in controversy, but it proved his potential as someone who can work with the company’s top stars. With his new bromance with Bram bringing out a more hardcore side as well, Magnus is pretty multi-faceted.
9: Austin Aries: With two stints as X-Division Champion in 2014 and some of the best matches of the year with Bobby Lashley, Aries continues to prove he is one of the top stars in the company and someone who deserves another legitimate push.
8: The Wolves: Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards came into TNA with a ton of hype and made good on it with a lengthy run as TNA Tag Team Champions and some great matches with The Hardy Boys and Team 3D. Still young, these guys have the potential to be one of the greatest tag teams in the company’s history.
7: Samoa Joe: It wasn’t as huge a rebound year as expected, but his run as X-Division Champion brought back a ton of legitimacy to the company’s most prestigious title. Still the workhorse he’s always been, some time off to heal for Joe could lead to a huge 2015.
6: Gail Kim: The best female worker in the business today, Kim had feuds with every Knockout that was worth her time and even managed to put a few of them over for the sake of the division. Selfless and tireless in the ring, she’s someone that can and will make an impact wherever she goes.
5: Ethan Carter III: TNA’s top youngster and up and coming heel, Carter beat everyone in his path this year and regardless of his lackluster feud with Rockstar Spud, has proven to be someone to keep an eye on.
4: Jeff Hardy: Although he didn’t win any titles this year, Hardy’s run as Willow and reuniting with his older brother Matt made for some compelling TV. Still TNA’s most popular performer, he’s just a few big wins away from another title shot.
3: Eric Young: 2014 was a banner year for EY. Winning the TNA World Heavyweight title, Young became TNA’s answer to Daniel Bryan, becoming the strong underdog they needed. Going from comedy act to legitimate performer was an easy transition for Young, considering the fact that TNA misused him for years. Although not as over as he was before, like Hardy, he’s always in the mix now.
2: Bobby Roode: The reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion may not be everyone’s favorite performer, but he’s one that continues to get better every year and a guy that has stood by the company for a decade. Someone that could go to NXT and WWE and still be a solid performer, Roode is a good poster boy for TNA- a guy that just works his tail off in the ring.
1: Bobby Lashley: The most dominant champion TNA has ever had, Lashley had the type of run that the WWE never thought he was capable of. A legitimate tough guy, Lashley’s reign as champion in TNA was done to near perfection, well for TNA anyway.
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