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Although WWE typically begins a new season of programming in the aftermath of WrestleMania, a new year always marks a brand-new beginning and the story is no different for the world's leading professional entertainment company as we enter a new decade.
2019 was a memorable and unforgettable year in WWE. Myriad events took place that escalated fan interest in the WWE product. They made quite a few bold moves this year, some of which have worked out perfectly for the franchise.
Fans saw the rise of many gifted up-and-coming stars who were itching to write their names in the annals of WWE. Becky Lynch rose to the top of the women's division, Kofi Kingston finally fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming WWE Champion on the Grandest Stage of Them All, and Bray Wyatt returned with a brand new persona and climbed to the top of the mountain as the Universal Champion.
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SmackDown moved to FOX and NXT moved to USA Network. WWE produced two monumental live broadcasts from Saudi Arabia in the form of WWE Super Show-Down and WWE Crown Jewel. To top it all off, 2019 provided us with some breath-taking moments, solid in-ring action and enthralling story-telling.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
In my opinion, 2019 was an incredible year for WWE, probably the best of the decade.
#3 The women proved they are on the same level as the men
Just take a look back and contemplate about all that the women have accomplished in WWE this year. You would definitely be fascinated and impressed. The women have come a long way. They are regular staples of the WWE product, receiving sufficient screen-time, and they are excelling under the bright lights.
There were many firsts for women this year. To start, WWE introduced the Women's Tag Team Championship in February with the inaugural winners being Sasha Banks and Bayley. Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch main-evented WrestleMania 35. Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Shayna Baszler closed out Survivor Series for the very first time as well. Moreover, Natalya and Lacey Evans wrestled live in front of the Saudi crowd at Crown Jewel.
The women have consistently been performing at an elite level, they have worked tirelessly, and their prowess is unmatched. WWE's female stars have broken the glass ceiling and they are a true inspiration for us all.
#2 All of the "Big Four" pay-per-views delivered
WWE's original four pay-per-views (namely WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series) are often regarded and touted as the most significant. However, WWE often ends up misfiring in one or more of these mega pay-per-views just about every year. Take 2015 as an example, WrestleMania 31 was an excellent show whereas Royal Rumble 2015 and Survivor Series 2015 were forgettable.
In 2019, all the aforementioned "Big Four" pay-per-views were all pretty high quality. Royal Rumble 2019 was received reasonably well by fans, as fan-favorites Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins emerged as winners of their respective Royal Rumble matches. WrestleMania 35 delivered all the goods, with some top-notch wrestling and amazing story-telling. WrestleMania 35 saw Becky Lynch come out on top as the RAW and SmackDown Women's Champion, Seth Rollins slayed The Beast in convincing fashion to win the Universal Championship, and Kofi Kingston won his first WWE Championship after an arduous eleven-year long journey.
SummerSlam 2019 was also a strong event. Rollins put on a career-defining performance in the main-event to win back the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar, Charlotte and Trish Stratus went to war in a blockbuster dream match and Goldberg redeemed himself as he made quick work of Dolph Ziggler. SummerSlam 2019 was kept short and sweet.
Survivor Series was based around brand supremacy, and this time NXT was added to the mix. NXT's talent was on full display as it emerged as the winningest brand coming out of Survivor Series.
#1 WWE listened to its fans all along the year
There are times when fans have to swallow quite a few tough pills. Fortunately for them, WWE made a dedicated and sincere effort towards giving the fans what they asked for. There's not much fans can moan about this year, as WWE heard their voices.
From the very start of the year, WWE shuffled its plans to change up from the norm. The fans wanted Kofi Kingston to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania and the high-flyer did exactly that. Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were overwhelmingly popular at the start of the year. WWE was wise to thrust them into the main-event scene as well. Rollins and Lynch would go onto ascend to the pinnacle of their respective divisions. Bray Wyatt's character was reinvigorated and revamped as "The Fiend". Much to the delight of the fans, Wyatt has never been so dominant ever before.
WWE also rectified some of its previous mistakes and errors. For example: the decision to stop using fireworks on smaller pay-per-views and house shows garnered a lot of heat from the WWE Universe. WWE opted to abolish that rule this year. Fans despised the Wild Card Rule, hence WWE ended it in October after SmackDown moved to FOX.
