WWE 2019: 5 images that define the year

2019 will be remembered as a very important year in WWE's history. Although some of their storylines were subjected to criticism, the promotion got several highs in the year to counter them.

The year that started with the intriguing feud between Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair for the Women's title, also saw Dean Ambrose part ways with WWE. Seth Rollins slayed The Beast Incarnate on multiple occasions in 2019, and in the same year Goldberg squared off against The Undertaker. Not to forget the debut of The Fiend and the return of the King of the Ring tournament.

From bringing back the Draft to the women main eventing WrestleMania to the introduction of WWE 24/7 Championship, a lot of stuff happened throughout the last 12 months and jotting down the five best moments from that is quite difficult.

However, some moments stood out that the rest and here we have compiled some of those pictures that can define the year 2019.

Also, don't forget to check out the latest edition of The Rosser Rewind, featuring the WWE veteran Fred Rosser (formerly known as Darren Young). He is joined by the host of the podcast Korey Gunz and they recall the events from WrestleMania 30, being on the road and loads of other topics!

Honorable mention: Becky Lynch conquers WrestleMania

The fall of 2018 saw 'The Lass Kicker' Becky Lynch evolve into The Man. Such was her popularity that even tapping out to Asuka for the SmackDown Women's Championship couldn't tone down her momentum. She went on to win the second-ever women's Royal Rumble match and earned a Championship match at WrestleMania.

Her feud with Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair received tremendous popular support en route to the grandest stage of sports entertainment, and the three women were provided with the opportunity to main event WrestleMania.

Becky Lynch would win the triple threat encounter and both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Champion to conclude WWE's premiere PPV. To date, she is the only female wrestler to hold both the titles simultaneously and it is safe to say that her WrestleMania moment solidified her claim of being 'The Man' in WWE.

#5 NXT invasion

Following its revamp in 2012, NXT got labeled as the developmental territory of WWE. The brand not only gifted the main roster with talents like Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, and Charlotte Flair but also provided a platform to international Superstars like Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe to familiarize with the WWE Universe.

Despite featuring some of the best wrestlers from all over the world and selling out arenas with their pay-per-view events, it didn't receive the same recognition as RAW or SmackDown. The scenario changed this year with the Black and Gold brand earning a slot on the USA Network and becoming a pivotal part of the Wednesday Night ratings encounter with All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite.

This momentum continued when the NXT Superstars invaded SmackDown following WWE Crown Jewel. The fans and the main roster talents then got a much-needed reality check and they realized why they shouldn't think any less of the Black and Gold brand.

The night saw several NXT wrestlers debut on the Blue brand and capped off with Adam Cole retaining the NXT Championship against Daniel Bryan. When Triple H posed with the roster to conclude the episode, it showcased that everyone should keep an eye on NXT and it is nothing but the third brand of the promotion.

#4 The return of The Big Dog

The Big Dog returned to his yard in 2019

In October 2018, Roman Reigns vanquished his Universal Championship and bid a temporary goodbye to the WWE Universe to "kick Leukemia's a*s". The entire fanbase of the pro-wrestling company united to pray for The Big Dog's speedy recovery and just a few months later, it was proven that their prayers have been answered.

Roman Reigns returned on the February 25, 2019 edition of Monday Night RAW and announced that he's in remission. The news was greeted with tremendous pop from the fans in attendance and is undoubtedly, one of the best RAW moments of the year. He returned to action that very night when he joined Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (now, Jon Moxley) to fight off Corbin, Drew McIntyre, Elias, and Bobby Lashley.

In the coming months, Reigns proved that the fatal disease hardly affected the prowess of The Big Dog. He not only picked up significant victories over the likes of McIntyre, Shane McMahon, and King Corbin but also guided Team SmackDown to a win at Survivor Series.

Returning to the World Championship scene is only a matter of time for Roman Reigns.

#3 "Yowie Wowie"

Another significant moment of this year was the debut of The Fiend.

Former WWE Champion Bray Wyatt returned to the company following WrestleMania, not with his Wyatt Family but with the Firefly Fun House. Throughout the Fun House episodes, The Eater of Worlds showcases that he has submitted to a superior power, The Fiend and that this demonic persona has been unleashed upon the WWE Superstars.

The fans got the first glimpse of The Fiend when Bray Wyatt revealed his 'dark secret' on the May 13, 2019 edition of WWE RAW. A Superstar that was reduced to a laughing stock as the leader of Wyatt Family once again imposed legit fear among the worldwide viewers as The Fiend. The immense popularity of the character resulted in Wyatt winning the WWE Universal Championship in a short span of time and it looks like this is just the beginning.

What would have happened if he had failed to connect with the WWE Universe by his debut on-screen appearance? One can only wonder.

#2 KofiMania

One of the best title feuds heading into this year's WrestleMania was between Kofi Kingston and the contemporary WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. The New Day member perfectly portrayed the role of an underdog en route to the grandest stage of sports entertainment, who valiantly fought against all the odds that were hurdled up against him.

Kofi Kingston, a constant of the WWE for the last 11 years, never got to hold any World Championship of the promotion. In fact, he never even received a one-on-one match for the top-tier title. So when it looked like that he was going to get a shot at Daniel Bryan's WWE Championship, the fans also came to the support of Kingston. They gave birth to the KofiMania movement to boost his momentum, just like they had done in 2014 to rally with Daniel Bryan.

After a back-and-forth encounter, Kofi Kingston went on to defeat Bryan and win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 and in the process, once again showcased how popular support can change the career of any WWE talent. Kingston's victory proved that dreams do come true in WWE and all one needs to do is utilize the opportunity.

#2 Women create history in Saudi Arabia

Evans and Natalya get emotional following their match at Crown Jewel

Over the past few years, WWE has worked hard to usher in the women's revolution, more importantly, the women's evolution. A stacked roster involving the likes of Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Paige, Sasha Banks, Natalya among others, only helped the cause.

For the same purpose, WWE brought in the women's Money in the Bank, Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell, TLC matches in the last couple of years. In 2019, they moved one step further by letting their female athletes work in the main event of WrestleMania.

While some may consider it as the biggest feat of the women's division to date, WWE did something more significant in October that outshines an opportunity to close out the 'Show of shows'.

At WWE Crown Jewel emanating from King Fahd Internation Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Natalya and Lacey Evans squared off against one another in the first-ever women's match to be held in the nation.

Both of them set a milestone at the event as they wrestled in a country where women are still subjected to discrimination based on gender. Through their performance, Evans and Natalya showcased that the women can perform at par with the male talents and all they need is an opportunity.

Their match signified that change is inevitable.

Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE