WWE: 4 Best booking decisions of 2019

3. Kevin Owens defeats Shane McMahon in a Ladder Match to oust McMahon from power and terminate his contract (SmackDown Live, October 4, 2019)

Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon locked horns in a Ladder Match.

Beyond the shadow of all doubt, it can be stated that Shane McMahon was one of the most despised figures in 2019. The ever-boastful 'Best in the World' had received way too much screen time and that weighed heavy on fans who longed for his removal. McMahon produced much heat from the WWE Universe and with such intensity that it can only be described as "Go away heat." The WWE Universe felt that McMahon's push was unwarranted, as it came at the expense of younger full-time talent.

Shane won the SmackDown Tag Team Championships this year, defeated and buried The Miz on two separate occasions, pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of the ring, and was a central figure on WWE programming. His push undermined the rest of the roster and the bold Kevin Owens was having none of it.

Owens lashed out at McMahon and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam with his career on the line. Owens won, but he attacked the special guest referee and McMahon's right-hand man, Elias. Therefore, McMahon fined him.

After the animosity between Owens and Shane reached a boiling point, McMahon fired Owens. Owens threatened to sue Shane and coaxed him into agreeing to a Ladder Match where the loser's WWE contract would be terminated.

The match was scheduled for October 4th, the day when SmackDown moved to FOX. After a brutal and spine-rattling encounter, Owens defeated Shane. The reason why it was such a good booking decision was that the victory established Kevin Owens as a big-time player and moved Shane away from WWE programming. We haven't seen Vince McMahon's son since.