3 most shocking WWE moments of 2018

Time sure does fly as another great year in WWE passes by in quick fashion with 2018 coming to an end. It has been a decent year for WWE with plenty of shocking moments that had fans all over the world on the edge of their seat.

WWE was not short of surprises this year either as fans witnessed moments that looked like a pipe-dream a few years ago.

As this list is a really short one, there are a few honorable mentions that deserve acknowledgement and recognition. These honorable mentions are as follows:

1. Rey Mysterio returns to WWE after 4 years in the 2018 Royal Rumble.
2. Charlotte defeats Asuka at Wrestlemania to end Asuka's undefeated streak.
3. Dean Ambrose turns his back on Seth Rollins seconds after winning the Raw tag-team championship on the October 22nd edition of Raw.

Now, let's get down to 3 of the most shocking moments of 2018.

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#3 Ronda Rousey makes a surprise appearance at Royal Rumble 2018

Ronda Rousey set foot in a WWE arena for the first time at this year's Royal Rumble

In the weeks leading up to the first ever women's royal rumble match, the rumor mill was running hot with numerous reports suggesting the debut of Ronda Rousey at the historical event.

However, many fans were still shocked (and a little disappointed) when 'The Baddest Woman on the Planet' made an unannounced appearance, mere seconds after Asuka won the inaugural women's royal rumble match.

This moment is often under-rated and overlooked as fans criticize Rousey for stealing the spotlight from Asuka, who had just won the first ever women's royal rumble.

Rousey went on to sign a contract to compete on Raw, decimated Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania in a mixed tag-match and dominated the entire Raw women's division.

#2 Daniel Bryan hits AJ Styles with a low blow to win the WWE Championship

Bryan looks across at the supine Styles.

AJ Styles was no stranger to low-blows this year (referring to Shinsuke Nakamura's constant low-blows on AJ Styles), but it was indeed a stunning moment, when Daniel Bryan, of all people, hit Styles in the groin to win the WWE title.

Styles had been WWE Champion for more than a year and it would've been a minor miracle for someone to defeat him. Many expected Bryan to defeat him, but not in the way that Bryan did.

Bryan was overwhelmingly popular, perhaps the only star more popular than the aforementioned Styles. Bryan was the WWE Universe's ultimate hero and under-dog who fought against injustice through fair and lawful means.

Watching him using under-handed tactics to gain an upper-hand on Styles was an odd surprise that raised many eye-brows.

Furthermore, Bryan's heel turn led to a shuffle in the Survivior Series match card as Bryan replaced Styles in his match against the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.

#1 Roman Reigns reveals battle with leukaemia

An emotional announcement from the Big Dog really shocked the fans

On the October 22 episode of Monday Night Raw, Roman Reigns came out with his Universal Championship in casual clothes. Reigns was conspicuously absent from house shows in the preceding week and many fans expected him to relinquish his title due to an injury.

However, it turned out to be much worse than injury. Reigns announced that he was battling leukaemia, a disease he had put into remission ten years ago. The crowd showered Reigns with 'Thank You Roman!' chants as The Big Dog relinquished his Universal title and soaked in the adulation of the crowd. Never had I seen so many tears in the crowd, fans were awestruck and shocked at the Big Dog's emotional announcement that saw Reigns shed a few tears himself.

Reigns then walked up to the ramp where he met his Shield brethren, before heading back to the locker room. Backstage, Reigns was greeted by many wailing fellow superstars and WWE officials as they, along with the WWE Universe, bid farewell to the Big Dog for the foreseeable future.