6 most emotionally tear-jerking WWE moments of 2018

WWE has had its ups and downs in 2018. We saw the first ever Women's Royal Rumble Match and first ever all-female Women's Pay-Per-View Evolution, but we also saw WWE garner a huge public backlash for its 'Crown Jewel' Saudi Arabia show.

However there have also been some great moments in the ring, Daniel Bryan announcing he had been cleared to compete, Mustafa Ali debuting on the main roster, Becky Lynch rising to Superstardom and Ronda Rousey making her WWE debut from MMA to name just a few.

But, of course, with every high moment we also had a low moment, with some real heart-breaking and gut-wrenching moments taking place in the WWE this year. Let's take a look at some of the moments that proved that the wrestling may be choreographed but the emotions are still very much real to me dammit!

#6. Dean Ambrose turns on Seth Rollins

The Shield dissolves again, but none more emotional than this one

This was a heel turn that really worked, hitting the spot emotionally and leaving the live crowd completely stunned and speechless. There are many who feel that Dean Ambrose's attack on Seth Rollins was too soon to Reigns' big announcement (which we'll talk about later in the list), but I feel it worked perfectly.

The two men really knocked it out of the park performance-wise as well. There was the elation of them winning the Raw Tag Team Titles followed by the confusion of Ambrose hitting Rollins with Dirty Deeds and then the slow, quiet realisation of what was happening when the 'Lunatic Fringe' continued his assault.

But the thing that really clinched this moment and raised it up was Seth Rollins reassuring Ambrose as his friend attacked him, telling him that 'it's okay'. This was beautifully done and really helped to sell the relationship between the two men, Ambrose's anguish at Reigns' news and the weight of what we were seeing in the ring.

#5. Paige getting injured and announcing her retirement from in-ring competition

Paige delivered a teary and highly emotional WWE moment in 2018

Paige's return to the WWE was a big deal, she debuted a new stable called 'Absolution' calling up Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville from NXT and dominating the Raw Women's Division.

However, almost as soon as she'd returned she was sidelined after a rogue kick to the back from Sasha Banks left her picking up another injury. As you can see in the below video, Paige hits the floor and then struggles to get back up.

Paige then didn't return to in-ring action following this incident, instead accompanying the other 'Absolution' members as a sort-of stable manager, but it wasn't until several months later that her injury was revealed to be career-ending.

Thankfully Paige landed on her feet the day after this emotional announcement when she was revealed as the SmackDown Live General Manager, and had gone on to do a stellar job in the role until she was randomly replaced during part of the McMahon's 'shakeup' a few weeks ago.

(Bring back Paige as General Manager!)

#4. Tegan Nox destroying her knee in the Mae Young Classic

Tegan Nox suffers another heartbreaking injury setback

Tegan Nox is someone I'm fairly familiar with being based in the UK and I was extremely pleased for her when she was signed up for the first Mae Young Classic. Unfortunately, she blew a knee before the tournament and underwent an extensive and lengthy recovery process.

Then she made her triumphant return! And a full year later was announced as competing in the second Mae Young Classic. She was even one of the favourites going and looked to be having a great tournament until she met Rhea Ripley in the Quarter Final and suffered a horrendous and, of course, heartbreaking knee injury

The fact that Nox had just fought back from a similar injury only to suffer another one so soon, added to the fact she was supposed to win the tournament (allegedly) and the fact she desperately tried to continue the match made this moment a truly unique and emotional WWE moment in 2018.

But it was the above video of her apologising to Triple H as he comforted her backstage that tipped me over the edge and brought a tear to my eye. I defy anyone not to feel for Newell in the above video.

#3. The women close out Evolution

This wasn't an emotional moment for me, but I'm a straight white man, this wasn't a moment for me, period! But I can imagine that for all of the female wrestling fans out there, seeing all of the female WWE wrestlers come together to celebrate the ending of the first ever all-female WWE Pay-Per-View WWE Evolution was a special moment that's been a long, long time coming.

Sure, it wasn't a particularly good moment in terms of kayfabe with all of the women on the stage at the same time looking happy, even though some of them are supposed to hate each other. But this was a moment that was bigger than any ongoing WWE storyline, it was symbolic of how far we've come with equality in sports entertainment and the culmination of a lot of progress for the women's division.

#2. Daniel Bryan announces his return to the ring

Daniel Bryan's career-ending injury and subsequent retirement speech was one of the saddest moments in WWE history, and Daniel Bryan's emotional words in the ring will be something everyone remembers.

Which is why when he stood in the ring again this year, and emotionally announced that he was cleared to compete as a wrestler again, it was a huge, heartfelt moment with everyone in the audience that day losing their minds at the news.

Just like at the reaction he gets when he makes his entrance for the first time after his return to the ring is announced.The crowd noise is rapturous and the promo from Bryan is one of the best ever.

#1. Roman Reigns announces leukaemia battle

Roman Reigns announces he's leaving the WWE to battle cancer

Never have I been caught by surprise quite like Roman Reigns' heartbreaking announcement that he was battling leukemia caught me by surprise. It was a raw, emotional moment that immediately silenced the crowd as everyone realised what was being said in front of them.

The outpouring of emotion that followed this in-ring promo from Reigns was like nothing I'd seen before. The crowd were stunned but appreciative and supportive, Reigns' 'Shield' teammates Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins came out and embraced him. It was touching and the most emotional WWE moment of 2018

How did the Bears get the #1 pick? Revisiting Chicago's 2023 trade