Who was pro wrestling's top star in 2018?

Tommaso Ciampa - WWE NXT

Tommaso Ciampa, NXT champion

Once considered 'too small' for the WWE, and 'not flippy enough' for a cruiserweight, Tommaso Ciampa has silenced all of the critics and is possibly the best pure attraction on NXT television, and perhaps all of WWE.

It's difficult in the modern era for heels to get heat, but Ciampa manages to get wall to wall boos while still garnering the respect of the wrestling audiences. We haven't seen this kind of heelish aplomb since Nature Boy Ric Flair in the NWA days. How did he fare in 2018?

Win Loss Record: Ciampa racked up 38 wins and only ten losses. Grade: A+

Championships: Ciampa has held the NXT championship for most of the year, and defended it successfully 22 times, an astounding feat. Grade: A+

Industry Impact: Right now, Tommaso Ciampa is the man to emulate with regards as how to behave like a proper wrestling heel. He rules NXT with an iron fist. Grade: A

Popularity: With a strong social media game that echoes the old days of kayfabe while still breaking the fourth wall, the respect of his peers and the wrestling fandom, and with the boss of NXT Triple H firmly in his corner, Tommaso Ciampa is quite in demand. Grade: A+

Overall Grade: A+ Ciampa is enjoying the best year of his career so far, and looks to have a ton of momentum heading into 2019.