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When we look back at the year that was, a lot of us tend to do so with a very negative perspective. While jogging my memory back in preparation to write this article, I genuinely thought to myself that this hasn't been a bad year at all.
So, it's time to reflect on the year that was and separate the best from the worst. Be sure to let me know what you think, ladies and gentlemen, in the comments section below.
I personally believe that this was a solid year of WWE programming and the good outweighs the bad, by a long shot. The ratings and the live attendance may not necessarily reflect this, but for WWE to go so strong after so many years is a feat unto itself.
How many other TV shows have the same kind of viewership after these many years?
#1 Best: Bray Wyatt transforms into The Fiend
Bray Wyatt has always been one of the more interesting characters in the WWE roster, as a borderline Supernatural figure, but his transformation into The Fiend has been the highlight of 2019 by far. Is it any wonder that he was voted as the 'Male Superstar of The Year'?
Wyatt is the current WWE Universal Champion and the face of SmackDown on FOX. He is seemingly indestructible and the question of who can take The Fiend down is one that's been plaguing the WWE roster. The Firefly Fun House is a very unique way for Bray Wyatt to cut promos and push his matches, and the sheer unexpectedness with which he strikes is his trademark.
Bray Wyatt will continue to be one of WWE's top Superstars in 2020 because of just how much momentum the character has right now. This has been Bray Wyatt's year!
#1 Worst: The Wild Card Rule
Before the draft took place and the two rosters were separated, there used to be something called the Wild Card rule that completely undermined the brand split and how! Superstars from RAW could show up on SmackDown and vice versa, and as a result of the same, a lot of the roster did not get any TV time at all.
The whole point of two rosters has been to give every one of the brands its own unique flavor and identity. There's so much WWE content that one has to watch during the week, that unless the brands feel different, the casual fan may just tune out.
Thankfully Vince McMahon's Wild Card rule came to an end when SmackDown moved to FOX and the rosters have been distinct since. I think I speak for everyone in the WWE Universe when I say that nobody misses the rule.
#2 Best: Becky Lynch
This has been the year of 'The Man', and she continues to dominate the division to this day. The RAW Women's Champion became the WWE Universe's favorite as a modern-day version of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Gone was the babyface persona that had made her such a crowd favorite, only to be replaced by a hard-edged gimmick that got her far more over than she ever was.
With Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch even wrestled in the main event of WrestleMania and while some may attribute that to Ronda Rousey's star power, it was 'The Man' that the WWE Universe was backing, all the way to the finish line on that night. Right now, perhaps the biggest question is- who's dominant enough to dethrone her from her perch?
The women's division has grown from strength to strength over the years, but it never had a breakout star until 2019.
#2 Worst: The end of KofiMania
KofiMania would have certainly made it to the 'Best' section of this article, if not for the way that it ended, to the dismay of the WWE Universe. Kofi Kingston became the WWE Champion at WrestleMania, getting over organically and having the entire WWE Universe at his side, cheering him on to victory and glory. And then he went on to have great matches, defeating every single opponent.
But on the premiere of SmackDown on FOX, Brock Lesnar defeated Kofi Kingston in a matter of seconds and you could tell that people were upset. It almost seemed like the many months that WWE had spent in building up Kofi Kingston meant nothing at all. Kingston has never been able to rise to the same level ever since.
The New Day is back in the tag team division and while that's not a bad thing at all, it is a demotion.
#3 Best: NXT on the USA Network
NXT was always great but it never really got the recognition that it deserved for the WWE Universe. This is until 2019 came along and AEW became a thing, taking up a valuable Wednesday Night slot. And because of the same reason, NXT decided to go head-to-head with AEW, kickstarting the Wednesday Night Wars.
One has to say that, at the conclusion of the year, NXT seems like the stronger brand of the two, in terms of consistency. And one can attribute this to the massive push that the brand got at Survivor Series. NXT came out on top in the battle of the brands, and a lot more people were intrigued to find out more about the black and gold brand.
It is pretty certain that NXT will be a force to be recknoned with in the year 2020. No longer is it merely a WWE developmental brand.
#3 Worst: Cain Velasquez and Tyson Fury
It's one thing to come from the mainstream world, learn the ropes and then work your way to the top. Even Ronda Rousey, who is a natural at pro wrestling, only became the consummate professional that she was at WrestleMania 35 after months of slogging as a performer.
Cain Velasquez's first-ever WWE match was for the Championship and one could certainly tell that he wasn't ready for the job. The match that we got to see was structured did not make anyone want to see a second Cain Velasquez match.
The same can be said for Tyson Fury who was thrust into the spotlight almost at once, and the worst part is that Braun Strowman had to lose to him. Fury no-sold a lot of Braun Strowman's power moves and it was pretty cringy to watch.
Why rely on part-timers when you have so many full-timers?
#4 Best/Worst: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins defeated Brock Lesnar not once, but twice this year to the delight of the WWE Universe. But somehow, his babyface character did not make a connection with the audience at all and he began to get booed.
Perhaps the biggest fiasco this year happened at Hell in a Cell where Seth Rollins vs. The Fiend resulted in a very strange kind of finish and the audience did not take too kindly to it at all. But the year ended on a positive note with Seth Rollins going heel and aligning himself with The AoP in a move that many have liked.
So, that was the year in a nutshell, the good and the bad. What did you think of this list, dear reader, and do you feel differently?
As with every other 'Best and Worst' this year, let me end with a picture of The Goddess.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
