12 Most memorable WWE moments of 2019

2019 is drawing to its end, and WWE has already started promoting Royal Rumble 2020. With an end to another year, there are many reasons to look back at what transpired during these last 12 months.

WWE did everything to draw in the audience. The slow and steady rise of independent promotions culminated into WWE's biggest adversary to date -- AEW. It led to some creative steps by the company and eventually benefitted the WWE universe.

The year 2019 allowed for a very peculiar Wild Card Rule. Superstars were able to jump from one brand to another, and this resulted in some great match-ups. WWE also introduced the 24/7 Championship belt, which has given us some hilarious moments and unique segments involving Hollywood celebrities.

Here is a list of ten of the most memorable moments from WWE that happened in 2019.

#1 Women's match in Saudi Arabia

Lacey Evans vs Natalya in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel 2019

WWE made history in 2019 by becoming the first professional wrestling promotion to hold a women's match in Saudi Arabia. Crown Jewel saw Natalya going against Lacey Evans. WWE left a great message to the entire world by successfully promoting women empowerment in Saudi Arabia and showcasing their talent in front of everybody present in the arena.

Both the Superstars were fully covered except for their faces, and the wrestling style was not similar to what it would have been, had it happened elsewhere. Nonetheless, both the Superstars created history. While fans voiced their opinion about how the match took place, it was still a small step for a giant change in the country.

It not only promoted women's wrestling in Saudi Arabia but also managed to break shackles that surrounded women's interaction with sport in the country. WWE managed to do something that no other organization has ever done, and this was a remarkable achievement that happened in 2019.

#2 WWE and MMA

Cain Velasquez battling out Brock Lesnar in a pro-wrestling match.

Shayna Baszler's success in NXT has been phenomenal. WWE has relied on mixed martial artists switching to a comparatively more safer form of sports entertainment, professional wrestling. The likes of Matt Riddle doing a brilliant job inside the ring is a testimony to the kind of wrestlers that can evolve out of MMA for WWE.

Brock Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston in seven seconds on SmackDown's premiere episode on FOX to establish the Blue brand as an equal competitor to Monday Night RAW. Lesnar's MMA background helped FOX restore it's more sports-oriented broadcasting and also provided room for WWE to sign more MMA fighters.

It allowed for a once in a lifetime match between former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in a sequel to Lesnar's loss at UFC 121 against Velasquez for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

WWE did everything right in the buildup to this match. They were able to capitalize on WWE veteran Rey Mysterio which resulted in an incredible rematch between Mysterio and Lesnar as wll. The last time when both these wrestlers met, Lesnar submitted Mysterio for the win. WWE gave a beautiful picture to the WWE Universe to cherish forever. Lesnar redeeming his UFC loss by submitting Velasquez via kimura was indeed a sight to behold.

#3 The Fiend on SmackDown

“Fiend” Mask Designed By Tom Savini's Team

The Fiend turned SmackDown Live upside down. While many must have thought that the Blue brand would be more sport-oriented after moving to FOX, the Fiend reignited the sports-entertainment on SmackDown Live. While Bray Wyatt's return resulted in WWE's one of the most controversial matches of the year, it also gave us a glimpse into his potential as a WWE wrestler. The mystique surrounding his alter ego was similar to the Undertaker.

WWE was able to bring back Bray Wyatt after almost losing him during his time as a Tag Team partner alongside 'Broken' Matt Hardy, due to poor booking. It was a beautiful moment as a WWE fan to witness one of the best character work in the history of professional wrestling. The Fiend has delivered great matches against Seth Rollins, and recently in his title defense against Daniel Bryan, one waits to see what's in store for Bray Wyatt in 2020.

#4 New talents had a solid start

WWE was more consistent while pushing their young stars than it has ever been. The year 2019 proved to be an incredible year for young superstars climbing their way to the top. Kairi Sane proved to be very successful as she made a spectacular pairing with former WWE Champion Asuka. The Kabuki Warriors became the Tag-Team Champion, and Kairi Sane became the first Mae Young Classic winner to win a Championship belt in WWE.

Buddy Murphy had some brilliant matches with Cedric Alexander. Mustafa Ali and Shorty G revamped their characters and treated the WWE universe with their remarkable high flying capabilities. Angel Garza's rise inside NXT, Humberto Carillo's victory at the 20-man Battle Royal at Crown Jewel were all moments of the year. 2019 was the most promising year for young Superstars due to many other factors. NXT's rise as a promising show and competition from other promotions helped these Superstars and gave them more opportunities.

#5 WrestleMania 35 main event

Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair headlined WrestleMania 35 in a Winner Take All triple threat match for both the SmackDown Women's Championship and RAW Women's Championship. It was a historical moment for sports entertainment. In its 35-year history, for the first time, female Superstars headlined the biggest wrestling show in the world at MetLife Stadium in front of a crowd of over 80,000 people.

It was also the first time in the last four years when Roman Reigns did not headline WrestleMania. Becky Lynch emerged as the winner of the match and took home both the WWE RAW and SmackDown Women's Championship which resulted in the rise of The Man. The first-ever women's main event also featured former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair.

All these Superstars sent a message across the wrestling world about the growth of women in professional sports. It was in 2019 that WWE was able to break the idea of men headlining major PPV events, and came the first-ever women's main event at the Grandest Stage of All, WrestleMania.

#6 Batista vs. Triple H

Triple H defeated Batista in a No Holds Barred match

The Animal took on The Game at WrestleMania 35 in a No Holds Barred match at MetLife Stadium in front of 80,000 people. Batista returned after a 5-year hiatus on SmackDown 1000 by attacking Ric Flair and thereby igniting a feud with his former Evolution member, Triple H.

This rivalry was brilliant for many reasons. Batista has targeted WWE several times after he left the company. To get an opportunity to settle everything once and for all and come back to WWE in an incredible match-up with Triple H was a perfect closure to Batista and the company's fallout.

Batista announced retirement from pro wrestling shortly after this match at WrestleMania 35. It was a beautiful moment for every wrestling fan. 2019 came to be the year when Batista wrestled for the last time inside a WWE ring. As a wrestling fan, one would hope for Batista to make more appearances, but it was a befitting end to an illustrious career.

#7 KofiMania and everything about it

Kofi Kingston's ascension from a mid-card performer to a main event Superstar was nothing less than a fairytale. Kingston's spectacular performance during the Gauntlet Match in the Elimination Chamber won the heart of the entire WWE universe. Kofi Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan at the Grandest Stage of Them All to win the WWE Championship.

Brock Lesnar beating Kingston for the WWE Championship was almost inevitable. While WWE could have managed anything other than a squash match, the defeat doesn't take away the new heights that Kofi Kingston reached during his reign.

Kingston's victory at WrestleMania 35 was emphatic. The celebration that surrounded the win was nothing less than Eddie Guerrero's win against Brock Lesnar at No Way Out. Kingston won his first world title after eleven years in the company, similar to Eddie's first title victory way back in 2004. Thus, 2019 truly belonged to Kofi Kingston.

#8 Kurt Angle's farewell tour

In March, Kurt Angle announced his retirement from professional wrestling. In April, Kurt Angle fought Baron Corbin in a losing effort at WrestleMania 35. Since then, he has transitioned himself to a backstage role as a producer.

Kurt Angle has nothing left to prove to the WWE universe, and so his loss against Baron Corbin was not very surprising. It seemed logical on WWE's part to use the WWE Hall of Famer to push one of their next-generation Superstars.

"I don't think it's the match that I hoped for, I think it was the match that should have happened." The Olympic gold medalist had this to say about his match-up with Baron Corbin. If one leaves the entire rivalry between both the Superstars aside, Angle's farewell tour treated the WWE Universe with some dream match-ups.

Samoa Joe, Cedric Alexander, AJ Styles, Drew McIntyre, Apollo Crews, and Chad Gable (Shorty G) were some of the wrestlers who shared the ring with Kurt Angle.

Angle's involvement at RAW Reunion was history photographed. He raised a toast alongside Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Triple H, and other fellow wrestlers of his era.

#9 The RAW Reunion

The Boogeyman enjoying a toast with Stone Cold Steve Austin

WWE did everything in 2019 to pump up the ratings, and that gave incredible moments for the wrestling fans to cherish forever. RAW Reunion was one such episode where the WWE Universe saluted nostalgia, and it didn't disappoint.

The RAW Reunion episode had wrestlers from every generation. Pat Patterson, Gerry Brisco, Ted DiBiase, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair represented WWE from the Rise of Bruno Sammartino to the Golden Era of the '80s. The Kliq, DX, and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin represented the New Generation Era and The Attitude Era. The RAW Reunion episode also welcomed John Cena after a very long absence.

It was one of the most memorable RAW episodes in the history of WWE. It showed everything we loved about wrestling. To be able to see the legends hail the WWE ring once again was a dream come true for every WWE fan.

#10 The Man: Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch was a game-changer in 2019. She took the wrestling world by storm and cemented women's position in professional wrestling with extreme authenticity, credibility, and dominance. Lynch continues to defy the odds and is consistent in her undisputed reign as the RAW Women's Champion.

Becky Lynch won both the SmackDown Women's Championship and RAW Women's Championship by defeating Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, in a Winner Takes All triple threat match at WrestleMania 35. She also became one of the first three women Superstars to headline WrestleMania. Becky Lynch went on to become the first-ever female wrestler to hold both the Championship belts and came to be known with the moniker, Becky Two Belts.

WWE has put so much responsibility on Becky Lynch's shoulder, and the superstar continues to carry that duty with confidence. 2019 was an incredible year for Becky Lynch and the entire Women's division.

#11 SmackDown on FOX

It was a huge year for the Blue brand as it returned to Madison Square Garden after ten years. SmackDown not only returned to Friday night but also celebrated its 20th anniversary in the premiere episode on FOX.

Brock Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston in 7 seconds in one of the biggest upset of the year. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair teamed up to take on Sasha Banks and Bayley. Kevin Owens defeated Shane McMahon and finally ended their longrunning rivalry. DJ Marshmello became the 24/7 Champion by accidentally pinning Carmella. Seth Rollins performed on SmackDown Live for the first time after 2016 in a brilliant match against Shinsuke Nakamura, which ended in a no-contest due to interference by the Fiend.

The premiere episode had so many funny segments and surprising elements. Cain Velasquez made his WWE debut, while Boxing Champion Tyson Fury teased an ultimate showdown against Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel. SmackDown 20th anniversary episode was a fun fest for the entire WWE universe.

#12 Walter vs. Tyler Bate

WALTER vs. Tyler Bate for the WWE NXT UK Championship was nothing less than spectacular. Tyler Bate is only 22 years old and was able to exhibit a match that earned a 5-star rating from the likes of Dave Meltzer and others.

Walter going against Tyler Bate was always going to be exciting, and with the promo work leading up to NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff, both the superstars defied the odds in what was a match of a lifetime. The NXT UK Champion Walter retained his belt after 42 minutes of thrill and agony. The last 20 minutes of the match had a ridiculous pace and some great wrestling. Both Superstars brilliantly sold the narrative and delivered the performance of a lifetime.

There were many unbelievable near falls, and the crowd was eccentric. The atmosphere surrounding the entire card was out of ordinary, and it made WWE NXT UK stand out as a wrestling promotion.

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Edited by Shruti Sadbhav