WWE History Vol. 20: 10 Moments from 2019 we can't forget

#2 Kofi Kingston finally wins the Big One

The Cinderella story of the year was definitely the rise of Kofi Mania

The man who is known to millions of fans around the world as Kofi Kingston was born in Africa under the name Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah. He immigrated to the USA at an early age, and it was at this time that he witnesses his first pro wrestling match.

He joined the short-lived revival of the ECW brand before its demise and turned a lot of heads with his aerial artistry. Kofi won mid-card titles, tag team titles, and is responsible for the most creative ways to avoid a Royal Rumble elimination in history. But he never seemed to be able to make it to the big leagues.

Then, fate intervened. An injury to Ali created an opportunity for Kingston. In just one night, he defeated three other Superstars in a gauntlet match. While this was hasty booking, it also turned out to be just the right master-stroke. The fans were wildly behind Kofi, cheering him as loudly as Hogan was during the 1980s.

It's been said that Kofi was put through the gauntlet just so that he would 'earn' his spot in the Elimination Chamber match, and he was never actually intended to be a full-time main eventer. But serendipitously, the WWE struck gold while they were digging for worms. Kofimania took off like a rocket ship, and the fans all but demanded that he be given the championship.

Fans love it when a long-tenured, often overlooked wrestler gets the main event nod, resulting in one of 2019's unforgettable moments.