It is looking like 2016 is becoming one of the greatest years in the history of wrestling with World Wrestling Entertainment partially responsible for the transition of top former stars of the independent scene making their way into the company.
While there still exists the barrier between the independent circuit and the spotlight of WWE many performers have been able to break through; it is essentially broken down to WWE and non-WWE with those not lucky enough to have been working for Vince McMahon being considered free agents in the professional wrestling world.
Stars such as AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn were once icons of the indie scene; but which performers have since occupied the void left by the current best in WWE?
10. Kurt Angle
The wrestling machine has been an icon of professional wrestling for nearly 20 years, and became an even greater attraction, shockingly even after his departure from WWE in 2006.
With his journey taking him to TNA who were edging towards becoming a huge force in wrestling his stock rose and he competed in some of the greatest matches that the company has ever witnessed.
Now unsigned to any wrestling promotion and making his way around the independent scene, his name attracts even the casual wrestling fan with his legitimate success in amateur wrestling now taking a backseat to his professional wrestling accomplishments.
9. Adam Cole
The current and two-time Ring of Honor world champion has had a fantastic year, firstly joining The Bullet Club at Global Wars in May then capturing the highest accolade in the promotion just three months later at Death before Dishonor XIV.
With his career barely started at just 27-years-old and already having represented companies such as Combat Zone Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Guerilla he is likely to be a huge name on the independent scene for years to come.
Cole has already acquired a coveted five-star match as he teamed with The Young Bucks to take on Matt Sydal, Ricochet, and Will Ospreay, with the sky now the limit for what the young performer can go on to achieve.
8. Ricochet
Seeing Ricochet on a wrestling card and you know you are going to be witnessing one of the most exciting matches you are ever likely to see.
The 27-year-old has performed for nearly every major wrestling promotion including New Japan Pro Wrestling, Chikara, Dragon Gate, Evolve, Lucha Underground and Pro Wrestling Guerilla.
Earlier this year he captured mainattention following Vadar's comments on his match against Will Ospreay in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, leading to a host of well-respected performers to praise his ability in the ring.
The Rock commended his ability and praised his talents and it is no surprise considering his long list of accomplishments including a Best of the Super Juniors win in 2014, and a number of other triumphs presented by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
7. Kenny Omega
What can you say about Kenny Omega that has not already been said? The man has done the unthinkable and was the victor of NJPW'S G1 Climax becoming the first gaijin to win the tournament.
A huge celebration ensued and the 32-year-old become the icon of wrestling from that night on, The Bullet Club member has been a star of the independent circuit for a number of years and is now edging towards a WWE contract.
Omega will presumably take on Kuzuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 11 next year as the future is only going to get brighter for the Canadian.
6. Will Ospreay
Just like his friend Ricochet, when you see Ospreay's name on the card you should expect a high-quality performance, and the young performer has been heralded as one of those to change the entire face of Wrestling as we know it.
The 23-year-old became an internet sensation following his battle against Ricochet and following his 2016 Best of the Super Juniors win he became one of the hottest talents that every promotion turned their attention towards.
Paul Heyman personally invited him to a question and answer session and presented him with an Evolve contract, a huge honor for one so young, but how long will a talent as pure as his end up as a free agent?
5. Kota Ibushi
Technically Ibushi is signed to WWE, but not in the way that he should. The Japanese performer works the occasional show for the company in NXT when he could and should be so much more.
He sent pulses racing when he appeared at NXT TakeOver: Dallas in the crowd and immediately it looked as if he would be the next high-profile signing yet that it not how it has turned out.
Ibushi is currently in the semi-finals of the Cruiserweight Classic that is under the WWE banner although there has been suggestion that he could transition to WWE there has been no official confirmation yet.
The performer is one of the best talents in the world right now with his match against Cedric Alexander and with a host of accomplishments already under his belt, he is a huge talent that any promotion would kill for.
4. Jay Lethal
When Jay Lethal lost the Ring of Honor World Championship is was as if a tiny part of himself was lost forever, the 31-year-old was a fantastic champion defending the title on average every 15-days.
In his 427 -day reign (the fourth longest in the promotion's history) he very rarely had a bad match, was rarely injured and has competed in many of the major promotions.
Now in his recovering phase, he is building the lethal brand back up brick-by-brick and it will not be long until he is a force to be reckoned with once again; Lethal made the main events worth watching and regardless of whether he has the title or not, he himself is worth watching.
3. Chris Hero
While championships and accomplishments are great and all, it is what you do in the ring that makes you remembered and Chris Hero has gone above and beyond for himself and fellow professionals.
The 36-year-old did have a spell in WWE that did not turn out very well, yet he used it as a learning curve and used his experiences to help others become the best they can.
His list of performers that he trained is huge; Tommy End, Drew Gulak, and Danny Havoc are just three of the 60+ performers he has helped, while also juggling his own wrestling career, he was also one of CM Punk's first rivals in the indie scene and set him on the path to becoming a superstar.
Having worked in TNA, Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerilla CZW and Chikara and has been successful everywhere he worked, making him an iconic and someone for the next generation to look towards.
2. Zack Sabre Junior
The Britton would be first on many lists but this past year has been as good as ever for Zack Sabre Junior, with his technical ability allowing him to put on a master-class in almost every match.
The 29-year-old competed in the CWC under the WWE banner sparking rumors he would be signed to the company yet there has been no official word regarding his future.
He is currently the PWG World Champion and won the Battle of Los Angeles in the promotion the year before, and being voted the 2008 'Rising Star' by The Wrestling Observer UK he has gone from strength to strength.
Sabre has been an icon of the independent scene with many still astonished he is not working for WWE at this point in his career, with the ring his personal paradise and his opponent just pawns of his own design, where will the future take The Technical Wizard?
1. Marty Scurll
Who'd be a villain ey? Marty Scurll tops the list as the performer has sky rocketed over the past month, first after being announced as the latest signing for Ring of Honor before winning the 2016 BOLA.
The original character of the 26-year-old has made him the one to watch, with his career advancing in a huge way following his hosting career of WrestleTalk TV in the United Kingdom.
He is expected to make his ROH debut during the company's British tour in November this year, this next 12 months will be huge for The Villain who has already accomplished so much in such a short space of time.