Number 1: CM Punk
Over 400 days as the WWE Champion, and CM Punk gets rewarded as the best superstar of the year. This had to be a given due to the success he has had all year. Early in 2012, he was a face beating the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan. The hardest point came when The Rock returned at Raw 1000 claiming that he would become WWE Champion at Royal Rumble. CM Punk attacked him and this was the beginning of a hard, but legendary, heel turn. CM Punk would turn his back on his fans slowly, reminding them that he is the “Best in the World” at any time he could speak. With a brutal feud with John Cena brewing, he would get the help of Paul Heyman to help him complete his turn. He was the most over champion in quite some time, but had to turn heel for the better of the company. Punk still gets cheered everywhere he goes, and still lights up Chicago like none other. As Triple H, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, and John Cena came and went, CM Punk remained the hardest worker, the best worker, and helped young guys become bigger than ever thought possible. If you think Ryback would have gotten over with another champion the way he did with Punk, you are absolutely insane. Punk ruled 2012 and, despite the low ratings at times, was the must watch guy every single week. Best of 2012 belongs to the “Best in the World.”
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