Every year, I annually make a list looking at potential main eventers or those that can break through to the top, mostly in the WWE and TNA Wrestling and I will admit, that I seldomly use independent wrestlers from Ring Of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, All Japan Pro Wrestling, EVOLVE, Pro Wrestling NOAH and other independent wrestling promotions, however after complaints to last year’s annual listings, I have decided to put a twist on the matter and instead focus more on young talent to look out for in the 2012 year.

In order of 10-1, here are those names in full.

10. Drew McIntyre

Drew hasn’t had the best of starts to his career with the WWE. After being initially cast as “The Chosen One” by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, as well as a run as WWE Intercontinental Champion and WWE Tag Team Champion, the “Sinister Scotsman” has spent the majority of 2011 on WWE Superstars. Drew has shown that he is capable of running with a title in his grasp, however he will need to build major momentum in 2012 to even consider holding one in his hands again.

9. Damien Sandow

By looking at the above image, you might be better used to Damien Sandow under the name of Idol Stevens during his first WWE run, where he was in a tag team with KC James, managed by Michelle McCool, however Sandow has gone away after being released, reinvented his look and looks superb down in WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, where he is the FCW 15 Champion. Sandow has worked WWE live events this year as the company evaluate him and all signs point to him making his debut in 2012. Sandow will be part of an influx of FCW stars to come to WWE’s main roster in 2012, of whom others make up this list.

8. Zack Ryder

The self-proclaimed “Internet Champion” and current WWE United States Champion has had a stellar 2011, rising in popularity week-by-week thanks to his hit YouTube series Z! True Long Island Story and the backing of certain WWE superstars, most notably John Cena and CM Punk, as seen several times on WWE television. If you had told anyone at the beginning of 2011 that Ryder would be as popular heading into 2012, as he is right now, you would have been laughed at, however for “Long Island Iced Z”, anything is possible in the new year.

7. Prince Devitt

If you are not familiar with Prince Devitt or Fergal Devitt, then I would strongly suggest that you find a New Japan Pro Wrestling event on YouTube to see how much quality this man personifies. The current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is in his second reign as champion and in his 5 years with the company, one could argue that 2011 was his best. Devitt would be a perfect fit for a company such as Ring of Honor, with his overall wrestling ability and popularity. Whether the likes of WWE or TNA Wrestling come looking at Devitt in 2012 remains to be seen, however the man from Bray in Ireland is certainly one to keep an eye on.

6. Johnny Gargano

Standing as one half of the Campeones de Parejas alongside Chuck Taylor in CHIKARA, before closing out the year defeating YAMATO for the Dragon Gate Open The Freedom Gate Championship, Johnny Gargano has had a good 2011, considering he only made his Dragon Gate debut in March of this year. Gargano will be heading to Japan in 2012 to defend the title, however what the future holds is anyone’s guess, as WWE are reportedly interested in “The Bee’s Knees, The Cat’s Pajamas and The Whole Shebang”, as they look to bolster their developmental territory. Whether Gargano takes up the offer or continues to remain on the independent scene for the time being will be his call.

5. Uhaa Nation

If you would have told anyone the name Uhaa Nation at the beginning of 2011, not many people outside of the Georgia area would be familiar with that name, from his appearances with the WWA4 promotion, however after a stellar debut with Dragon Gate USA, the giant Nation, who bears a striking resemblance to Ahmed Johnson, Bobby Lashley and Marcus Cor Von in terms of his size, strength and height, is now considered a Dragon Gate regular and has been touring with the company in Japan in recent weeks.  The future looks very bright for Uhaa Nation and he is certainly one of those we will be hearing a lot more of in 2012.

4. Seth Rollins

Better known to certain fans as Tyler Black from his days in Ring of Honor, Seth Rollins has shone amongst the talent in WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling and has held the FCW 15 Championship, which he lost to Damien Sandow earlier this year. Rollins is another one of those names from FCW currently on the road with the main WWE roster as the company get a better evaluation of whether he will be brought up to either RAW or SmackDown. Rollins has a great look, great wrestling ability as seen in ROH and FCW and with the recent “change” movement in the WWE, could have a great 2012 in the company.

3. Sami Callihan

Callihan is another of the bunch of independent wrestling stars that rose to prominence in 2011, following his appearances for EVOLVE Wrestling at their EVOLVE 9 pay-per-view against legendary wrestler, Dave “”Fit” Finlay and his appearances for Dragon Gate USA and Combat Zone Wrestling. “The New Horror” has a look that reminds me of a pre-Abyss Chris Parks, Finlay and a hint of Sabu also. Callihan is another one that I can see us hearing more of in 2012, with either Dragon Gate, EVOLVE or another professional wrestling promotion.

2. Kevin Steen

Despite being released by Ring of Honor at Final Battle 2010, after losing a career vs. mask match against El Generico, the “Antichrist of Pro Wrestling” has still managed to haunt Ring of Honor officials including hacking the company’s official website and having it redirect to a video of Steen, showing up and interrupting various ROH events and more before he was re-instated to the company’s roster by defeating Steve Corino at Final Battle 2011. Steen didn’t let that be his last actions of the night, as he made Davey Richards aware that he is coming for the ROH World Championship in 2012, something which will not please Ring of Honor officials, most notably Cary Silkin and Jim Cornette. During his time away from ROH, Steen continued his appearances for Pro Wrestling Guerilla who he has been with since 2005, where he is a current PWG Tag Team Champion with Super Dragon, as well as other independent wrestling promotions.

1. Dean Ambrose

Better known to fans as Jon Moxley from his days with Dragon Gate USA and Combat Zone Wrestling amongst various other independent wrestling promotions, Dean Ambrose is another who like Seth Rollins has quickly risen to the top of the pile in Florida Championship Wrestling. With WWE trademarking “Fear My Name”, something Ambrose has been using at WWE live events and at FCW, the company obviously have big plans for the standout star. Ambrose is a name I expect to be holding either the WWE Intercontinental Championship or WWE United States Championship at the end of next year.

Agree or disagree with the order, I would love to hear your opinion on the matter. Be sure to comment below, if you want to join the discussion, including some names I may have left out.