5 last-minute changes that saved WWE storylines

In the annals of WWE history, there have been dozens of classic stories.

Who could forget where they were when The Undertaker's legendary undefeated streak came to a shocking end at WrestleMania 30?

Or how about when Triple H shockingly returned from a hiatus to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the 2016 Royal Rumble pay per view?

But though most storylines go off without a hitch, sometimes, changes have to be made.

And though some changes have resulted in bizarre stories making little to no sense, sometimes these changes can be a great thing for WWE and the fans in the long run.

Here are five WWE storylines that didn't go according to plan, but were even better because of it.

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#5 The Man misses Survivor Series

The Man missed the November pay per view but became an even bigger star

This may have started as a disaster, but when the dust was settled, Becky Lynch missing Survivor Series 2018 may have been the best possible outcome.

Days before the show, Lynch launched an invasion of RAW, though was concussed and busted open by Nia Jax, forcing her to drop out.

The sight of a bloodied Becky standing proud though had the fans go wild, with the Lasskicker cementing her status as one of WWE’s most popular stars.

Instead of losing to RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series, Lynch was replaced by Charlotte Flair, with Lynch now scheduled to face both the Queen and Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35.

This match, which is rumored to be the first women's main event in the show's history, will no doubt continue to establish Lynch as the hottest commodity in WWE in 2019.

#4 The Lex Express derails at WrestleMania 10

Luger came up short against Yokozuna, who'd lose the title later that night to Bret Hart

We all know how stubborn Vince McMahon can be, and that when he’s picked a guy, he’ll do everything to push them to the moon.

In 1993, this was no different, as with Hulk Hogan leaving, Lex Luger was hand-picked as the next top face.

Initially planned to defeat WWF Champion Yokozuna at SummerSlam, Luger didn’t quite fit the role, and won by DQ, meaning the title stayed on the colossal champion.

Reluctant to give up on the Narcissist, Luger was pencilled in to win at WrestleMania 10, though by the time the company got there, a lot had changed.

With fans won over by Bret Hart, and a clearly different reaction when Hart and Luger both won the 1994 Royal Rumble, McMahon had no choice but to put the title on the Hitman, who lost to his brother Owen in the opener but won the title from the same man who had beaten him the year before, after Lex had lost via Disqualification.

#3 Ziggler Shows Off on RAW

Ziggler won the title, after Jack Swagger's brush with the law

Jack Swagger may have been a fine worker in WWE, but he was never intended to be the company’s top star.

Earning a World Title match at WrestleMania 29, Swagger’s controversial Tea Party gimmick did not mesh well with Champion Alberto Del Rio, who had turned face despite years as a cocky heel.

With Swagger getting into trouble with the law just weeks before the show, Del Rio won their match decisively, with Swagger not even getting an entrance on-screen.

What was special for the fans was the RAW the night after, where Swagger once more lost to Del Rio, but found himself losing his World Championship not long after, when Dolph Ziggler cashed in Money in the Bank.

A huge win for the ShowOff, as well as one of the most shocking moments in post-Mania RAW history, all of this came thanks to a brush with the law by the Real American.

#2 Jericho gets his due

Jericho defeated The Rock and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin on the same night in 2001

In his multiple best-selling books, Chris Jericho has been very frank about his wrestling career, speaking openly about how politics and favouritism have changed plans for years.

Despite focussing on having great matches instead of making demands, the Fozzy frontman found himself on top of the world in 2001 when he became the first-ever Undisputed Champion, pinning The Rock and Stone Cold in the same night to do so.

But according to Y2J, the plan was for Angle to win the illustrious accolade, before someone decided to shake things up, by having Jericho, who’d only had one brief reign as World Champion, become the top star.

This definitely paid off for Jericho, who as the top heel champion in WWE, finally got what he had been deserved for so many years.

#1 Ambrose cashes in

All three Shield members held the WWE World Title at Money in the Bank 2016.

There’s an old saying of what goes around, comes around, and never was this truer than at Money In the Bank 2016.

At the pay per view, Roman Reigns defended the WWE World Championship against the recently-returned Seth Rollins, though the initial plan was for the Big Dog to defeat his former Shield brother.

That was until Reigns was hit with a Wellness policy suspension, as the company quickly lost favour with him, with Rollins defeating the champion to win back the title he had vacated due to injury.

But after what he had done at WrestleMania 31, Rollins should’ve seen what happened next coming, as Dean Ambrose, who had won the Money in the Bank earlier that night, cashed in, meaning all three Shield brothers had been champion in one night.

A truly shocking ending to the Pay per view, the Lunatic Fringe finally proved himself as a main eventer, and the fans were sent home happy.