Ronda Rousey roughs up Stephanie McMahonIt was certainly a topsy-turvy year for WWE.It all began with the most disappointing Royal Rumbles in recent times, which led to many fans cancelling their subscriptions to the WWE Network and progressed into a year where the ratings slump was quite evident.But this was also the year where WWE’s new guy finally came of age and became someone the audience can depend on and look up to as the face of the company. There were many pleasant surprises from the US Title Open Challenge to Wrestlemania’s fallout episode of Raw.Here are the 5 biggest surprises in 2015-
#5 The heist of the century
While not so shocking, the way WWE decided to execute it was thrilling to the bone.
Just when Cole asked the lingering question – ‘Who’s going to capitalize?’, in the brilliant match between Reigns and Lesnar, Seth Rollins sprinted towards the ring with his briefcase, the crowd breathless with excitement, and then cashed in immediately.
He went onto curb stomp Lesnar for a second time only to be caught up for an F-5 when Reigns made the save by spearing The Beast. Then the curb stomp to Reigns was followed by the pin and the eventual win.
And then there you have it – one of the most memorable Wrestlemania main events ever.
Rollins did not even waste time in the ring and left in a single breath. It left you breathless and aroused a sense of eagerness for the fallout RAW.
#4 Extreme nostalgia
Just when The New Day celebrated in all its weirdness, their victory on Raw, a certain music hit the arena that led the crowd to jump off their seats.
The Dudley Boyz returned to the landscape of WWE to shake things up and bring back memories of all the trailblazing work they did for the tag team division.
This was completely unexpected to say the least. There were rumors before and a little after the Royal Rumble after Bubba Ray Dudley returned and then was gone after a Rumble appearance. It seemed like a one-off thing until they finally returned and created an extremely awesome moment.
#3 Veteran advice
When Kevin Owens debuted on the main roster by seemingly answering Cena’s Open Challenge for the US Title, it certainly created a cool moment between these two.
There was no match, but it kickstarted a feud that led to three amazingly thrilling matches. Kevin Owens was booked to perfection, so much so that he actually beat Cena clean. A heel beating the face of the company in his first match is something not many can boast of.
Here’s a guy who’s an MVP on the microphone, a force to be reckoned with in the ring and an absolute wrestling veteran, who went up against the face who runs the place and completely owned the guy!
#2 That\'s Ronda Rousey, folks!
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon took centre stage at Wrestlemania 31 and stuck to their characters by rambling on and on about business, but then The Rock showed up.
By now, The Rock returning to the WWE and doing his shtick is no longer surprising, but it gets the excitement levels up and creates a much need buzz for the company. They had him go against Stephanie McMahon – the best heel in the company, on the microphone that later led to, what even McMahon believes to be, her strongest slap.
The Brahma Bull then followed Stephanie’s words and left the ring, only to come back with, whom many believe, is the most dangerous unarmed woman on earth – Ronda Rousey.
Now, Rousey losing her UFC Championship created ripples and is the biggest surprise in the world of combat sports but her Wrestlemania moment was hugely surprising and satisfying as well.
How many people have judo tossed Triple H? Well, Rousey clearly tops that list. Also, she ‘almost’ destroyed Stephanie McMahon. Let’s hope Rock and Rousey vs Triple H and Stephanie is still in the pipeline.
#1 Complete turnover
Who could have possibly imagined that the man whose year began with a storm of boos courtesy of the Philadelphia crowd at the Royal Rumble will end the same year being the King of the WWE Universe in the same arena amongst a sea of supporters cheering every mention of his name?
That night at Royal Rumble led to a formative year for the 30-year-old as he went on to have a number of great matches. He went up against The Big Show and that match came out looking pretty stellar.
Everything changed with him decimating Triple H at TLC. It was a game-changing moment – a moment that came after he busted his a** trying to tell a story with Sheamus in their relentless match for the champinship.
And now WWE finally has someone to pass the baton to from John Cena.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
