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2020 has been quite an eventful year for WWE. The company has done a great job of keeping the fans entertained, with some amazing storylines and unexpected moments. Even during the pandemic era, WWE continued to amaze the fans, putting together several outstanding pay-per-view events and entertaining episodes of RAW, Smackdown, and NXT.
From career-defining heel or face turns to unexpected title victories, there have been several shocking moments that have changed the entire landscape of WWE. For instance, Jeff Hardy unexpectedly ended AJ Styles' Intercontinental Championship reign to become the new champion.
Miraculous returns, shocking upsets, new champions, and many more interesting events have made wrestling worth watching in 2020. So, without further ado, let's take a look at five WWE moments that nobody saw coming.
#5. Goldberg dethrones The Fiend at WWE Super ShowDown
"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt had quite a successful run as the WWE Universal Champion. Wyatt's monstrous new persona looked to destroy everybody in his path. He defeated Daniel Bryan in a grueling battle at Royal Rumble 2020. The next obstacle in his path was WWE Hall of Famer, Goldberg.
After weeks of mind games, The Fiend was ready to defend his title against Goldberg at Super Showdown 2020. In his prime, Goldberg might have been the strongest contender to end The Fiend's reign of terror. But at this stage in his career, Goldberg was expected to put the Fiend over. This major victory over the legendary Superstar could have established the Fiend as a dominant champion.
But in an unexpected turn of events, Goldberg shocked the world to become the new WWE Universal Champion. It was a jaw-dropping moment for everyone, as Goldberg ended The Fiend's undefeated streak with a botched Jackhammer. Goldberg reportedly refused to lose the match as he didn't want to ruin his character.
This critical loss diminished the aura surrounding The Fiend. It heavily affected the credibility of the character. Although he scored victories over John Cena and Braun Strowman later, The Fiend hasn't been able to fully recover from the crushing defeat he suffered at the hands of Goldberg.
#4. Otis becomes Mr. Money in the Bank at WWE Headquarters.
This year's Money in the Bank pay-per-view was different from all the previous editions. Without the WWE Universe on hand, WWE went outside the box and introduced the concept of the corporate ladder. The WWE headquarters was ready to become the battleground of WWE superstars.
The match had many entertaining moments and spots. Some of those moments included AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan brawling in Vince Mcmahon's office and Shayna Baszler locking Rey Mysterio in the Kirifuda Clutch.
After brawling all over the WWE headquarters, Asuka grabbed the briefcase hanging on the rooftop and guaranteed herself a championship opportunity. It was great to see Asuka get rewarded for the brilliant work she did during the pandemic era. However, the biggest surprise of the night was yet to come.
AJ Styles, Aleister Black, and Baron Corbin were favorites to win the men's briefcase. Otis seemingly didn't have any chance to become Mr. Money in the Bank against these Superstars. His comedic gimmick connects with the WWE Universe, but it was uncertain if WWE could present him as a world championship contender.
WWE had other plans in the store as Otis turned the tables on everybody. Then, he grabbed the briefcase that slipped through Styles' hands to become the 2020 Money in the Bank winner. This was a career-defining moment for the young WWE Superstar. What's more, he did so without even climbing the ladder.
Currently, Otis is embroiled in an interesting feud with Miz and Morrison, who are trying their best to take the briefcase off Otis. Although there haven't been any signs of a cash in, fans could see Otis go after either of the world champions once his feud with The Miz culminates.
#3. Alexa Bliss shows up as Sister Abigail in The Wyatt Swamp Fight.
Braun Strowman defeated Goldberg at WrestleMania 36 to win his first Universal Championship. Later, he got involved in a rivalry with his former mentor, Bray Wyatt. The two Superstars collided at WWE Money in The Bank, where Braun Strowman tricked his former master to retain the title.
However, Wyatt wasn't finished with Strowman. He brought back his cult leader persona and challenged Braun Strowman to a Wyatt Swamp Fight at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules. Wyatt's mind games forced Strowman to accept this challenge and enter his bizarre universe. An unwanted guest also paid a visit to The Swamp.
Strowman showed his monstrous strength in the match but wasn't able to overcome Wyatt. He even got bitten by a snake, which was carried by a strange veiled woman. The strange woman looked very similar to Sister Abigail, as Bray Wyatt used to describe her in his promos. As Braun Strowman approached her, the woman turned out to be Alexa Bliss.
This was totally unpredictable and it absolutely stunned the WWE Universe. Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss have been close friends since teamed up for the WWE Mixed Match Challenge. Almost nobody expected that story to come into play in this Wyatt Swamp Fight. Even more, Alexa Bliss was dressed as Sister Abigail.
This entire match was a brilliant piece of storytelling, as explained by Sportskeeda's very own, Kartik Arry. Alexa Bliss's appearance as Sister Abigail left Strowman unsettled and helped Wyatt win one of the most outlandish and bizarre WWE main events of all time.
Wyatt captured the Universal Championship from Strowman at WWE SummerSlam but lost it within a week(more on that later). Currently, Wyatt is involved in a storyline with Bliss, who seems to be captivated by The Fiend. The WWE Universe saw a preview of this dangerous alliance on this week's SmackDown.
#2. Edge returns to WWE.
This year’s men's Royal Rumble match will go down in history as one of the greatest of all times with many unforgettable moments. Drew Mcintyre's monumental victory and MVPs WWE return were only a few of them. The biggest reason why the 2020 Royal Rumble match will be remembered for years is the return of the Rated R Superstar, Edge.
Edge’s retirement brought tears to the eyes of the WWE Universe. Due to the severity of Edge's injury, fans never expected him to make a comeback. Nevertheless, Edge’s Spear on Elias at SummerSlam 2019 once again fueled the speculations around his return.
Those rumors proved to be true as Edge unexpectedly entered the Royal Rumble as entrant number 21. The arena exploded with cheers when they heard the words,‘You think You know me'. The Minute Maid Park went crazy when Edge emerged from the entranceway and started hitting everybody with Spears.
This was one of the most beautiful moments in pro wrestling history. It was a very emotional moment for everybody to see Edge compete in a WWE ring after nine long years. He was living his dream once again. He looked to be in the best shape of his life and gave one of the best performances of the night. He made up the final three before Roman Reigns eliminated him.
This miraculous return of Edge will go down in history. This was not a one-off appearance as he soon got involved in a feud with Randy Orton. He collided with Orton at WrestleMania 36 and Backlash. Currently, Edge is out of action due to a tricep injury, but he is expected to return in 2021 to seek revenge on the Legend Killer.
#1. Roman Reigns returns to WWE as a heel
Roman Reigns was one of the most notable names that were absent from WWE during the pandemic era. In April, The Big Dog pulled out of his WrestleMania match with Goldberg. Later, Braun Strowman seized this opportunity to win his first world championship. Roman Reigns' departure was a major loss for WWE and there was no expected date for his return.
At SummerSlam 2020, The Fiend dethroned Braun Strowman to become a two-time WWE Universal Champion. However, his championship celebration didn't last for long as he was speared by a returning Roman Reigns. This was a big jaw-dropping moment.
The action didn't stop there as Reigns went on to brutalize Strowman with a steel chair. The Big Dog stood tall over The Fiend with the Universal Championship as SummerSlam went off-air.
This was one of the most shocking incidents in recent history. After constantly portraying the top babyface of the company, Reigns finally turned heel. This turn came at the most unexpected time.
This new Roman Reigns looked better than ever. He made a statement of a lifetime by laying waste to the newly-crowned Universal Champion. In the following episode of SmackDown, WWE surprised the fans once again by aligning Reigns with Paul Heyman. He went on to win the WWE Universal Championship within a week of his return.
Reigns is getting the desired reactions from the WWE Universe with his heelish antics. He has been wrecking everyone in his sight and doing anything to stay at the top. Roman obliterated his cousin Jey Uso to a point that Jimmy Uso had to throw in the towel to save his brother from "The Tribal Chief."
Reigns is expected to have a long reign as champion with his new heel persona. His alliance with Paul Heyman is making him look even more dangerous. It has only been a month since Reigns turned heel, and WWE has already convinced everyone he is what's best for business.
