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2018 has been one of the worst years in WWE history. From TV ratings touching new lows every week to empty arenas during live events, the company hasn't been able to satisfy the WWE universe and has suffered hugely due to the horrendous booking by its creative team. While NXT and the recently launched NXT UK have been doing quite well for themselves, the main roster programming has been going through a period of historic lows, both in ratings as well as live event attendance.
Although Superstars like Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Seth Rollins have mesmerized the WWE universe in 2018, the same cannot be said about the rest of the roster. Barring a few, 2018 has been a tough year for a lot of WWE Superstars who have been going through a dull phase. These Superstars, in spite of being supremely talented, haven't been given an opportunity to shine throughout, which has led to character losing a lot of steam and in some cases, the WWE universe has stopped caring about these characters as the company has no little to no interest in building them up.
Here are 5 WWE Superstars who have had a low-key 2018:
#5 Sasha Banks
One of the most important figures of WWE's women's evolution, it is very depressing to see The Boss being relegated to five-minute tag and singles match with the same opponents over and over again. Banks is, without a doubt, the most talented performer in the RAW Women's division. It is baffling to even think that it's almost been a year (10 months to be precise) since Banks had a crack at the RAW Women's Champion.
While Ronda Rousey did bring a breath of fresh air in the red brand's women's division and deserves all the accolades, the company is doing a huge disservice to the entire women's division by not giving one of its flagbearers the platform she deserves as without Banks having classic matches against Bayley, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch, we wouldn't even have someone like a Ronda Rousey inside a WWE ring.
The least one would've hoped is to see is Rousey squaring off against Banks as it is a dream match that the WWE universe would love to see. But with that being said, 2018 hasn't been a good year for the Boss and one just hopes that 2019 isn't the same for the Boston- native.
#4 Bray Wyatt
From being a WWE Champion going into WrestleMania 33 to not having a match at WrestleMania 34, 2018 has been one of the worst years in Bray Wyatt's career, both on the professional and personal font. Although his partnership with Woken Matt Hardy saw him win the RAW Tag Team Championship, the gimmick turned stale after a few weeks and the duo had to eventually drop the titles to The B-Team.
After Matt Hardy had to take an indefinite leave from in-ring action to heal off the injuries he had been dealing with, Wyatt was taken off TV never to be heard off again until last week.
Wyatt appeared at WWE'S Starccade live event on Saturday taking on RAW 'General-Manager-elect ' Baron Corbin, replacing the now-injured Braun Strowman. Although Wyatt was reportedly backstage during RAW, he wasn't involved in any segment or match on the show. As per reports, Wyatt will in all likelihood end up facing Corbin at TLC on December 16, which will be the first televised match for the Eater of the Worlds in almost four months.
#3 Finn Balor
The first-ever Universal Champion hasn't had a great 2018. After being rocket strapped immediately after his main roster, Balor was on cloud nine winning the Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016. But a labrum tear forced Balor to relinquish the title and he hasn't been the same ever since.
After a long layoff, the Irishman returned to the squared circle after WrestleMania 33 but hasn't been able to shine. Balor has been put in one meaningless feud after another against the likes of Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin, and Bobby Lashley. Balor has also been a victim of the company's 50-50 booking and the creative team hasn't been able to utilize the Balor Club properly.
Once being pegged to be the top star on the red brand, it is very depressing to see Balor languishing on the nid-card, especially when he has all the tools required to be a top star in the company. Balor has been one of the most consistent performers in the company and we were hopeful that 2019 will be the breakout year for the Demon King.
#2 Asuka
From having the longest undefeated streak in professional wrestling to being another female performer on the roster, 2018 has been quite the year for the Empress. After winning the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble, Asuka was on course to become the second performer, after Bill Goldberg, to win the big one whilst staying undefeated. But, as they say, all good things must come to end, and so did Asuka's undefeated streak.
The streak was broken when Charlotte Flair forced the former Kana to submit in their SmackDown Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 34. While many thought that this will mean bigger and better things for the Empress given how much of a burden the Streak was, we couldn't have been more wrong.
After facing a series of losses against Carmella, the Empress of Tomorrow became another face on the blue brand's women's division. While the WWE has finally decided to give Asuka a championship match as she will challenging Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match at TCL on December 16, 2018 hasn't been an good year for the Osaka- native as she has been in the background for almost the entirety of the year.
#1 Ember Moon
Ever since arriving on the main roster after WrestleMania 34, Ember Moon hasn't been a part of a single long-term storyline as of this writing. While the Shenom has had mini-TV feuds against the entire Riot Squad and Nia Jax, she hasn't been involved in a feud that fans can really care about. Apart from trading victories with the members of the Riot Squad and short-lived Friendship with Nia Jax which ended when Jax turned heel for the 1000th time and squashed Moon with the help of Tamina, Moon hasn't been doing anything to talk about for the last 8 months.
Moon is another example of a pointless NXT call-up. Moon was at the centre of the yellow brand's women's division being the NXT Women's Champion and was one of the most reliable and recognized faces in the entire division. Her main roster call-up came at a time when NXT's women's division lacked that star power which Moon had. Moon wasn't even afforded a rematch and was called up to the main roster mere days after losing her NXT Women's Championship to Shayna Baszler at NXT Takeover: New Orleans.
To say that the WWE has made a mess of Ember Moon's main roster call-up would be a huge understatement, the War Goddess has lost all her credibility, she had built during her time in NXT. While many thought that Moon would be a top star on the main roster, Moon getting a Championship match seems like a distant dream at this moment.
