'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Some say the art of storytelling in pro wrestling has dwindled along with the art of kayfabe. But in 2017, the WWE showed us that they still pride themselves on being the pinnacle of live entertainment. To maintain such a standing, storylines being played out on weekly television must be compelling, exciting and engage the audience. In the year of 2017, the WWE ensured they did just that.
A lot of the time, we as fans love to complain when the WWE produces sub-par content, but now it’s time for us to appreciate all the good they’ve done instead. We may not have gotten every feud or storyline we wanted, but some of the storylines we did get were absolute gold.
Here are the 5 best storylines of 2017.
#5 Enzo Amore becoming the IT factor of the Cruiserweight Division
On the internet, Enzo Amore has been branded as annoying, braggadocios, loud and obnoxious. However, in all good fairy tales, the 5-footer used all those traits to his advantage to take over a dying Cruiserweight division.
After an emotional break-up with Big Cass, Enzo Amore’s character seemingly had no direction, so WWE officials put him on 205Live to try his luck. And with that, he rose to the top of the division, becoming champion and saving that entire brand. A heel Enzo Amore as champion was exactly what 205Live needed to restore relevance.
The Smacktalker Skywalker spent his first few nights as champion belittling the rest of the division, giving each competitor a sense of importance they never had before. His persona brought life to 205Live and now fans purposely don’t change the channel when the cruiserweights come on, because of him.
#4 Kevin Owens against the McMahons
Anytime the Chairman of the board gets ruthlessly beaten down, that storyline instantly becomes a must see. Kevin Owens' rise to prominence has seen him work with the best and most famous names in the company including John Cena, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Shane McMahon and the boss Vince McMahon himself. Being sanctioned to work with such a star-studded variety of performers only pays testament to the excellent work of Kevin Owens.
From before the superstar shake-up, it was clear that Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens were never going to see eye to eye on Tuesday nights. And when the McMahon constantly screwed Owens in several title bouts, the former United States champion snapped and gave us the most memorable moment of the year. A systematic beat down of Vince McMahon gave us pictures we’ll never forget, culminating in a Hell in a Cell main event with his son that will stand the test of time.
#3 Randy Orton joining the Wyatt Family
Although the pay-per-view matches between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton may have been lacklustre, the build-up to those matches was tremendous. Throughout this storyline, we were able to see one of the greats of this generation completely surrender his will to an upcoming star, giving that superstar credibility.
The storyline was built around mystery and an inevitable yearning for the Viper to double turn on the Wyatt Family. Becoming tag team champions in the process added more heat to the storyline, giving us new dimensions along the way.
In the end, Randy Orton would embark on a memorable face turn as he physically burnt down Bray’s cabin where Sister Abigail was supposedly buried. This shocking turn of events made their Wrestlemania bout must see, however, such was the great storytelling of the build-up that the match could not live up to expectations.
#2 The Miz and Maryse ripping John Cena and Nikki Bella
Ruthless promos, main event calibre talents and a marriage proposal have propelled this feud into the 2nd best storyline of the year. Whenever John Cena and the Miz engage in a war of words, sparks fly. Add to the mix the mainstream popularity of both Maryse and Nikki Bella and we had a truly explosive storyline on our hands.
The entirety of this storyline was basically used to prepare the way for a blockbuster marriage proposal at Wrestlemania. Cena’s love & attitude towards Nikki were constantly challenged by the Miz, painting him out to be a see-through money-driven character. Cena responded with due rage and eloquent speech, giving us iconic promos.
This storyline was initially sniffed at, but when it unfolded in front of our eyes, it quickly became the marquee storyline heading into Wrestlemania.
#1 Festival of Friendship
There’s nothing better than a great storyline involving two well-liked superstars. The best friends gimmick between Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens was undoubtedly the best piece of storytelling the WWE provided us with, in 2017.
As the prize-fighter desperately held onto the Universal Championship at all times, he had his best friend constantly look over his shoulder and decide matches for him. With that, the two formed an undeniable chemistry on screen, quickly becoming the central focus of Monday Night Raw.
The Festival of Friendship segment on Monday Night Raw will not only go down as one of the best segments of 2017, it will be remembered as one of the most enthralling pieces of storytelling in WWE history. Chris Jericho’s child-like affection for Kevin Owens shone through and when Owens savagely attacked him, all our hearts collectively sank. Similar to HBK & Triple H, Owens & Jericho have given us an on-screen friendship that’ll last a generation.
