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2018 was one of the most contrasting years in WWE history. We started off the year with a bang as the Royal Rumble PPV saw fan favourite Shinsuke Nakamura winning the Rumble match along with the debut of the Baddest Woman on the Planet, Ronda Rousey after the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match. Things slowed down till we reached WrestleMania where we got one of the biggest dream matches in John Cena vs The Undertaker on the Grandest Stage of them all.
In the next 9 months though, WWE could pull off only 2 great PPVs - Hell in A Cell and WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs. In these 9 months, we had debacles like Backlash, Crown Jewel and WWE Super Show Down. We also got to see the first ever all Women's PPV in WWE Evolution which featured the likes of Nikki Bella, Trish Stratus, Lita and other legends.
However, all the WWE superstars worked hard to put over a show for the fans and here are the top 10 feuds of the year 2018:
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#10 The S.H.I.E.L.D vs the Dogs of War
On the RAW after SummerSlam 2018, the S.H.I.E.L.D reunited in a shocking manner when Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins came out to save Roman Reigns from Braun Strowman. The Monster Amongst Men joined hands with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre to level the odds and all six men had become the prime faces of Monday Night RAW.
Though this feud was stretched very much, it helped the WWE Creative in turning Ambrose heel as Dolph and Drew did enough to motivate the Lunatic Fringe to snap on his brothers. Apart from the RAW tag team championship match at Hell in A Cell, there was no other match in this feud which excited the fans.
#9 The Brothers of Destruction vs DX
When the WWE announced a 'last time ever' match between the Undertaker and Triple H for WWE Super Show Down, the fans were excited to see the two legends battle in the ring after a long time. However, with both the superstars' age not on the right side, they failed to deliver despite trying their best. This feud was extended till WWE Crown Jewel and Kane and Shawn Michaels were introduced in the picture.
Michaels made his emphatic return to the ring in Saudi Arabia after cutting several promos on the preceding RAW episodes. Though the matches of this feud did not live up to the hype, the mere presence of these 4 legends was enough to ensure a must watch feud. The way Shawn Michaels performed despite being away from the ring for quite a while, enthralled the fans.
#8 Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor vs The Miz
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor were inserted into the Intercontinental Championship picture after both the superstars failed to win the Elimination Chamber match. The Miz was the Intercontinental Champion at that time and this feud pooled three great in-ring wrestlers together.
We got to see 2-on-3 handicap matches with Finn Balor teaming up with Rollins to take on the Miz and Miztourage. Also, Finn Balor and Seth Rollins collided many a time in the ring giving the fans some mouth-watering contests. Fiery promos were cut week after week and the fans got a feel-good moment when Rollins won the title defeating the Miz and Balor at WrestleMania 34. Samoa Joe was later added in the mix and a fantastic fatal 4-way ladder match at the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV put an end to this feud.
#7 The New Day vs the Bludgeon Brothers
While the SmackDown tag team division has always been spearheaded by the Usos, this year we saw the New Day and the Bludgeon Brothers pull off one of the best feuds. This feud had some terrifying promos from both the teams before they locked horns at WWE SummerSlam. Though the match had a DQ finish, the New Day managed to give a scare to the invincible Bludgeon Brothers.
Harper and Rowan had decimated all the tag teams of the SD Live tag team division before clashing with the New Day. The trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were successful in ending the reign of the Bludgeon Brothers in what was one of the most extreme matches in SmackDown history. Unfortunately, Erick Rowan got injured amidst the feud which led to an abrupt ending of the rivalry.
#6 Ronda Rousey vs The Authority
Ronda Rousey made her WWE debut after the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match and officially signed with the WWE at the Fastlane PPV. Her first feud was with Stephanie McMahon which saw the inclusion of RAW General Manager Kurt Angle and the COO of WWE, Triple H.
Angle and Rousey faced Stephanie and Triple H in a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania 34 which established Rousey as the Baddest Woman in the WWE. The build to this match was quite unique as the contract signing and other segments were shot in UFC style and not in the traditional WWE style. Rousey exceeded the fans' expectations with her wrestling performance at the Grandest Stage. While she was expected to be a part-timer in the WWE, Rousey has made her presence felt each and every week and has become an integral part of Monday Night RAW.
#5 AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe
AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe was one of the most personal feuds of 2018 which saw the Destroyer involve AJ Styles' wife in the feud. Samoa Joe often questioned the little amount of time that Styles gave to his family and made this rivalry intense by calling out Styles' wife Wendy.
Both the superstars clashed on multiple PPVs however, the only disappointing part of this feud was that Joe never won a match. The face AJ Styles won some matches in a cheeky manner before finally putting Joe away at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view. Despite having more momentum, Joe could not capture the WWE Championship from AJ Styles on 4 separate occasions (SummerSlam, Super Show Down, Hell in A Cell, Crown Jewel). The duo gave many memorable matches in the feud but as mentioned ahead, the only thing wrong about this feud was Joe's defeat.
#4 Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Roman Reigns set his eyes on Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship after winning the first ever 7-man Elimination Chamber match way back in February. The Beast and the Big Dog clashed at the WrestleMania PPV which saw Brock retain the title to end the Show of Shows in a shocking manner. All the fans expected Roman to walk out as the new Universal Champion due to Lesnar's UFC deal but the WWE managed to take them back.
However, when the WWE announced a Steel Cage match between the two for the Greatest Royal Rumble show, once again the fans smelt a Reigns victory but Lesnar retained the belt in a controversial manner. Roman Reigns finally won the championship 4 months later at SummerSlam amidst huge cheers, as the fans were relieved of a part-time champion. This feud established Roman Reigns as the top guy of the WWE as his fiery shoot type promos got him over with the crowd.
#3 Becky Lynch vs Ronda Rousey
Becky Lynch's heel turn made her one of the hottest things in the WWE. The WWE Universe got behind the Irish Lasskicker and her feud with the RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey was certainly WWE's best feud heading into WWE Survivor Series. With Becky being the SD Live Women's Champion ahead of Survivor Series she was involved in a rivalry with the RAW Women's Champion.
Both the female superstars cut shoot promos on each other and with both superstars being high on momentum, it was really difficult to predict who would win the match. But, just 6 nights before their match, Becky Lynch got injured during SD Live's invasion of RAW. Nia Jax accidentally broke the nose of the SD Live Women's champion which led to Becky suffering a concussion and being ruled out of Survivor Series. While Charlotte replaced her in that match, the fans would have really been enthralled had Becky not been replaced.
#2 Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton
Though this feud neither involved any championships nor did it have future championship opportunities at stake, it pulled a plethora of eyeballs to WWE TV every week merely by the brilliance of the superstars involved. Randy Orton ended his run as a face by returning to his heel gimmick and promised the WWE Universe to destroy their favourite superstars.
He chose the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy as his first victim and both the legends showed the entire WWE roster how it is done. Their feud ended inside the demonic structure known as Hell in A Cell which saw the Viper prevail over Jeff Hardy. This feud kick-started when Orton cost Hardy his US title. It was the primary feud of the SmackDown men's division as it overshadowed the other rivalries on the blue brand. All in all, the WWE Universe got a fantastic feud involving the best heel and the most popular face superstar of the company.
#1 Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch
The reason behind Becky Lynch's heel turn was Charlotte Flair. The Nature Girl stole Becky's opportunity at WWE SummerSlam which saw the Irish Lasskicker snap on her best friend to kick off the best feud of 2018. Becky Lynch's fans kept on multiplying week after week and the WWE Universe booed Charlotte who was playing a face character against Becky.
Also, Read - Top 10 WWE female superstars of 2018
Lynch won the SD Live Women's Championship from Flair at Hell in A Cell and the former best friends clashed many times for the title. They battled in the first ever Last Woman Standing Match at WWE Evolution before being a part of the first-ever Women's TLC match. This feud also saw the transformation of Flair's character. The feud has possibly come to an end and the beauty of this feud was that the WWE Universe cannot conclude whether Flair and Becky are heels or faces.
In your opinion, which was the best feud of 2018? Let me know in the comments box below.
