Top 10 Moments Of 2018
What made you remember why you fell in love with pro wrestling?
I still can’t get the bad taste out of my mouth from WWE Crown Jewel – and I didn’t even watch it.
WWE partnering with Saudi Arabia and going through with the critically lambasted event was disappointing for a longtime fan like myself. It made me reconsider my support of the company (not buying WrestleMania tickets this year) and forced me to seek refuge elsewhere. Pro wrestling is supposed to be our oasis from all the troubles of the real world, so when those troubles infringe upon our escape, it leaves us hopeless and in despair.
But then I looked back on the year, remembering all the action and drama that produced goosebumps. Don’t let Vince McMahon’s greed bring you down – there were ten incredible moments in 2018 that fueled our wrasslin’ addiction.
10. Jeff Jarrett Enters WWE Hall of Fame
Hell froze over on February 19 when NBC Sports broke the news that Jeff Jarrett would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. After two controversial exits from the company in the 1990s, it seemed like Double J had burned his bridge to McMahonland. The chairman basically said so the night of the Raw-Nitro simulcast, informing the world that Jarrett should spell his name “capital g, double o, double n, double e. Gone!”
But as we’ve learned over the years, never say never when it comes to pro wrestling. Jarrett had apparently entered WWE-sponsored rehab, and now that he is no longer affiliated with Impact Wrestling, the co-founder was welcomed back in McMahon’s good graces. It probably helped that former partner Road Dogg (who inducted him) is head of SmackDown creative, crafting the storylines of Impact-turned-WWE stars AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Eric Young.
9. “Andre The Giant” Airs on HBO
Nearly six months after ESPN’s 30 for 30 on Ric Flair, HBO responded with an 85-minute documentary on the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Produced by Bill Simmons, the compelling film featured unprecedented interviews with Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Billy Crystal and other major figures in Andre the Giant’s life. The film was so popular that it became the most-watched documentary in HBO Sports history with nearly 7 million viewers across the network’s linear and digital platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whm6mHEdESk
8. Charlotte Ends Asuka’s Streak
Contrary to popular belief, time does not heal all wounds.
I, along with many of our readers, am still bitter over the Empress of Tomorrow being defeated by Charlotte at WrestleMania 34. At the time, I was caught up in the moment of a terrific match, perhaps the best of the night. Asuka tapping out after being undefeated for 914 days was shocking, and her admission that Charlotte was indeed ready for her gave me goosebumps. Of course, Asuka has yet to recover from that loss, as the once-feared warrior has been reduced to just another warm body in SmackDown’s women’s division.
7. Cody Wins NWA World Heavyweight Title
Like father, like son. “ALL IN” – the first non-WWE or WCW event in the United States to sell 10,000 tickets since 1993 – was headlined by Cody Rhodes challenging for the resurrected NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Besides Cody and the Young Bucks funding the event themselves, his pursuit of the 10 pounds of gold was the only storyline heading into the show.
When the match went on midway through the pay-per-view, I assumed Nick Aldis was retaining by hook or by crook. However, Cody surprised me and delighted those 10,000 Bullet Club/Elite diehards by winning the title that his father helped make famous.
6. Dean Ambrose Betrays Seth Rollins
Tension had been brewing for weeks, but nobody expected the Lunatic Fringe to snap the night of Roman Reigns’ revelation. After all, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins had embraced their fellow Hound of Justice with tears in their eyes, vowing to win the Tag Team Titles in honor of their friend. And they did!
But the celebration was short-lived as Ambrose struck Rollins, finishing him off with Dirty Deeds on the arena floor. The crowd was stunned, disturbed that the rambunctious anti-hero would stoop so low. On any other night, it would seem like revenge for Rollins turning his back on The Shield years ago. But on this emotional night, Ambrose’s rage was unforgivable.
5. Becky Lynch Attacks Charlotte
That wasn’t the only friendship to dissolve this year.
After losing a triple threat for the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, Becky Lynch congratulated her BFF Charlotte on once again taking the crown. But instead of playing court jester to the queen as she has done for years, Lynch attacked Charlotte to thunderous cheers from the Brooklyn crowd. While the commentators tried to interpret Lynch’s actions as that of a usual heel turn, the audience in the arena and on social media rejoiced at the Irish Lass Kicker finally sticking it to her privileged friend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qky3KZDg0iQ
4. Daniel Bryan Returns
Do you believe in miracles?
After more than two years of neurological and physical evaluations, Daniel Bryan was finally cleared to return to action, just three weeks before WrestleMania 34. Thanks to his dogged persistence in getting healthy, the encouragement of his wife Brie and the prayers of the Yes! Movement, the ultimate underdog announced that he was coming out of retirement to pick up where he left off some four years ago. Although his return hasn’t been nearly as magical as his previous run, D-Bry remains one of the most consistently entertaining wrestlers in not just WWE, but the entire world.
3. Sami “The Slugger” Callihan
Everybody had something to say regarding Sami Callihan smashing Eddie Edwards’ face with a baseball bat. Whether it was an accident or intentional is still up for debate, but it certainly changed the careers of both men. Callihan played to the conjecture that he was an unsafe worker, now brandishing a bat with him wherever he goes. Edwards descended into madness, gaining some much-needed personality and emerging as a beloved lunatic. And Impact Wrestling gained plenty of buzz from one of its hottest feuds of the year.
2. Ronda Rousey Arrives
Speculation had run rampant regarding Ronda Rousey transitioning from UFC to WWE, especially after suffering two major losses in the Octagon. Before her star power diminished, the “baddest woman on the planet” had to make a career move while she was still in her prime. After dipping her toe in the pro wrestling water, perhaps it was time for her to dive head first.
We got our answer after the first Women’s Royal Rumble, as Joan Jett blasted throughout the Wells Fargo Center and “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey marched to the ring, lighting up the City of Brotherly Love with her enormous smile. Even though the in-ring interaction was awkward, and most fans immediately predicted doom for her WWE run, the UFC Hall of Famer and current Women’s Champion has shown that she belongs in the squared circle.
1. Roman Reigns’ Revelation
Where were you when the world stopped turning, on that October night?
I had just plopped onto the recliner, ready to watch the Giants take on the Falcons, when my phone began blowing up. A coworker texted “Dude. WTF?” An old coworker texted “Wow.” I immediately checked Twitter to see what was going on, never expecting to see the words “Roman Reigns” and “leukemia” next to each other.
It felt like Daniel Bryan all over again, except much worse. Reigns wasn’t retiring from pro wrestling – he was revealing a potentially deadly disease had returned after 11 years. After a four-year campaign to become the top guy, having finally conquered arch nemesis Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship and seemingly having the fans on his side thanks to a Shield reunion, the future looked promising for the Big Dog.
That was all gone. Reigns tore down the curtain separating the “entertainment” on screen from the reality of daily life. He used his real-life first name and explained a real-life issue had plagued his body. His life may never be the same. And yet in that moment, everything we knew about WWE would never be the same, either.
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