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2019 has been an interesting year for WWE. While the company has been through some rather testing times due to falling TV ratings and live event attendance, they are the most profitable they have ever been. 2019 has been a great year for WWE as far as mainstream exposure, reach and recognition is concerned. The partnership with FOX has helped the company endear itself to the mainstream audience.
In addition to that, the company has signed a plethora of new multi-year TV rights deal for its premier programming, RAW and SmackDown, amounting to billions of dollars. And then, we have the company's partnership with Saudi Arabia, which, although controversial, has been a huge money-spinner for the company.
The year has also some great matches. While the creative side of things has left a lot to be desired, we can't falter the performers, who have more often than not, killed it inside the squared circle.
Here are our picks for the five best WWE matches from 2019:
#5 Io Shirai vs Candice Le Rae ( NXT Takeover: Toronto)
One of the most underrated matches of the year, this one was a combination of great storytelling and immaculate in-ring action. Io Shirai and Candice LeRae had formed a close friendship during their time in NXT. The duo had an almost identical path to the black and yellow brand. Candice was by Shirai's side whilst she was gunning for Shayna Baszler and the NXT Championship. Following a failed attempt at capturing the NXT Women's Championship, Shirai would finally snap and attack Le Rae, turning heel in the process.
Shirai's turn to the dark side was one of the best in recent memory. The Japanese-sensation made some sweeping changes following her heel turn which included a new theme song and attire. Shirai's demeanor also saw a drastic change as she started getting more vicious inside the ring. While her move set, more or less, remained the same, her aura and mannerism made them look brutal.
This was LeRae's debut match at a Takeover. After being consistently overlooked for more than a year, this was her opportunity to shine on the big stage and boy, did she capitalize. Tenacious C proved why she is one of the best female performers in the world. This match solidified LeRae as a top star in the female division and helped her become more than just Mrs. Johnny Gargano.
Shirai and Le Rae fought a high fast-paced style with numerous high-spots and false finishes. Both the ladies brought a level of aggression and intensity throughout the match. The finish of the match saw Shirai lock in the Koji clutch with Le Rae passing out after being in the hold for a few minutes, thus giving Shirai the win via technical submission.
#4 Seth Rollins vs Brock Lesnar ( SummerSlam 2019)
The build-up to this match, although brutal, didn't get the fans excited. Fans were starting to slowly turn on Seth Rollins and booking him as a valiant underdog babyface wasn't well received. It became all the more apparent on the go-home show for the event where Rollins was booed whilst he was delivering a heartfelt promo following a brutal beatdown by Brock Lesnar.
Rollins was getting battered by Lesnar every single week but the crowd wasn't sympathetic to the Iowa-native. There was an air of pessimism surrounding the match with many excepting to see Lesnar squash Rollins in no time. However, in this match, we got two world-class athletes doing what they do best and it was magical.
From Lesnar picking Rollins up by his rib tape and swinging him like a ragdoll to Rollins nailing a hellacious frog splash onto The Beast from the top of the ring post, this match was filled with numerous OMG moments. Rollins' rib tape covering his kayfabe injury only made Lesnar's offense look even more brutal.
But, what made this match truly stand out was the way in which Rollins was able to get the crowd behind during the match. 'The Architect' was jeered heavily by the rabid Toronto-crowd at the start of the year but Rollins' performance during the match forced them to be on their on their feet throughout the match. As soon as Rollins hit Lesnar with a third curb stomp, the Scotiabank Arena went wild.
#3 Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan ( WrestleMania 35)
One of the best stories that WWE had told in recent memory, Kofi Kingston's ascent to the top and his win at WrestleMania 35 was something that went beyond pro wrestling. A veteran of the squared circle, Kingston is one of the longest active tenured Superstars in the company. Debuting in the year 2008, the Ghana-native had major success in the company winning numerous championships but never quite reached the top.
Kingston was a last-minute replacement for an injured Mustafa Ali in the Elimination Chamber match. He had a star-making performance in a gauntlet match on the go-home show for Elimination Chamber where he pinned Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, and Jeff Hardy.
Kingston would carry on the momentum to Elimination Chamber where he would make it to the final two before being eliminated by Daniel Bryan. In the weeks following Elimination Chamber, Kingston and The New Day would have to overcome numerous odds for Kofi to get a Singles match for the WWE Championship against Bryan at WrestleMania 35.
Kingston defeated Bryan to win the WWE Championship, thereby becoming the first African-born champion in the company's history. He would have a fairly long reign as the WWE Champion where he established himself as one top star on the Blue brand. Kingston would drop the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar on the premiere episode of SmackDown on FOX.
#2 Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano ( NXT Takeover: New York)
Although many say that their match at NXT Takeover XXV was the best of the trilogy, we prefer this one over the former. This match was a case of things falling into place and had Tomasso Ciampa not been injured, we would have most likely have not seen this match happen in the first place.
Tommasso Ciampa was forced to relinquish the NXT Championship due to neck injury. A fatal-5 way match was set between Ricochet, The Velveteen Dream, Matt Riddle, Aleister Black, and Adam Cole to determine who would face Johnny Gargano for the vacant championship at NXT Takeover: New York in a 2-out of -3 falls match. Cole would win the match thereby earning a shot at the NXT Championship.
Despite being at an 0-1 disadvantage, Gargano would bounce back in spectacular fashion scoring two consecutive submissions to win the match and the NXT Championship. He became the first NXT Triple Crown Champion, having previously held the NXT North American and the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Gargano and Cole would have a lengthy feud culminating in a series of matches over the summer. Cole would defeat Gargano at NXT Takeover: XXV to win the NXT Championship. The rubber match between the duo saw Cole once again defeating Johnny Wrestling at NXT Takeover: Toronto to end the feud.
#1 WALTER vs Tyler Bate (NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff)
The story of an undersized, underdog going up against an unstoppable, brute champion is something which has been played in pro-wrestling innumerable times. Since winning the WWE UK Championship from Pete Dunne at NXT Takeover: New York, WALTER established dominance over the UK division alongside his cohorts from Imperium. The Ring General had ransacked through the entire UK male division and put Tyler Bate out of commission for a few months after an attack on an episode of NXT UK TV.
A match between the two was set for NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff with Bate looking to become the first-ever two-time UK Champion. This was a simple story told to perfection. Bate played the Scrappy underdog with such finesse that you couldn't help but get behind the Englishman. Walter, on the hand other, was at the brutal best, power bombing Bate on the apron and lighting Bate's chest up with a flurry of chops.
The crowd in Cardiff was one of the best crowds at a WWE event in recent memory. They were fully behind Bate from the start and the way they reacted to him getting an upper hand on WALTER was a joy to watch. Despite clocking at over 42 minutes, the match didn't drag at any point and was structured so well that it kept you hooked right from the opening bell.
The closing moments of the match saw the Ring General hit Bate with a splash for a two count. He would then hit him with a powerbomb but this time Bate would kick out at one with the crowd in the arena going wild. But, Bate was unable to recover as WALTER would soon hit him with a devasting clothesline for a three-count to retain the WWE UK Championship.
As excepted, the match earned rave reviews from both fans and critics. This one will be a milestone in the careers of both WALTER and Tyler Bate.
