WWE's top 5 moments of the week (October 13 - 20)

This was a memorable week in WWE, for reasons both good and bad. While Raw was the usual, SmackDown aired its 1000th episode on Tuesday, and NXT and the Mae Young Classic gave us plenty of memorable content.

With Evolution a week away and the controversial Crown Jewel pay per view not far behind it, WWE tried to divide its energies between the two builds, though it didn't always execute it to perfection.

Meanwhile, a couple of nostalgia trips on SmackDown delivered, while a heartbreaking injury and an anticipated return the next night gave fans plenty to talk about when looking back at the week.

Here were the top five moments on WWE programming in the middle of October.

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#5 Edge finds his moral compass

Edge was a vital part of SmackDown during the initial brand split, so it was a no brainer that he would be returning for the 1000th show. In his segment, we saw the Rated R-Superstar remark about how odd it was that he would attempt to be the moral compass of the show, but his appeal to Becky Lynch was impassioned nonetheless.

Edge warned her that chasing success without any scruples would take its toll on her. She would wind up alone and regretful. Becky Lynch wasn't keen on believing him.

After running him down, she told him to get out of her ring before he got another neck injury for his efforts, which shocked the crowd. They still loved the act anyway! At this point, Becky could spit on a baby and she would still be cheered.

Charlotte Flair came out and the two brawled, but it was yet another moment of brilliance from Becky Lynch let us hope that she retains at Evolution, because there's plenty left to explore with her.

#4 Tegan fights through the pain

It was mildly surprising that WWE would choose to air this in all its full, heartbreaking ghastliness, but it certainly gave us memorable programming. Tegan Nox's bump was so innocuous that it appeared to be a work at first, but gradually, the fans in attendance realized what was going on, and a spooky silence descended on Full Sail.

Tegan Nox lasted far longer in the ring than most people would imagine, trying to fight through her hideous (and this time, real) injury. As of now, it's another spell of terrible luck for her, but she probably won a lot of fans with this scene that she didn't win in her two lackluster matches against Zatara and Nicole Matthews beforehand.

There's still no word on when, or even if, Tegan Nox will make her return to the ring, but a lot of people will be watching and waiting.

#3 Evolution reunites

It was odd to see this reunion happen on SmackDown, because Evolution was a stable that ran Monday Night Raw, but it was still a welcome sight and, unlike most of the nostalgia acts this year, it delivered.

Randy Orton kept his heelish persona in some tense moments with his fellow alumni, but the real tension came with Batista and Triple H. The Game, Batista said, had managed to do everything in the industry except beat him. The Game and the Animal then stared at each other, but never threw any punches. It nicely kept us all in suspense and anticipation.

This was nicely done and laid the foundation of a potential WrestleMania match. If it happens, this will be the antecedent, which is what you should want a good segment to do. Your mileage may vary on your desire to actually see this match next April, but it was a nice way to begin a build.

#2 Rey Mysterio returns

This wasn't the best way to stage a return. Indeed, this match could have been saved for later, because it had never happened before, but WWE wanted to do something big for SmackDown 1000, understandably.

The match wasn't great, but the implications matter more. Rey Mysterio will be a top babyface on a blue brand that was desperately short of them and he can bring some excitement wherever he goes in the future.

A United States Championship rivalry with Andrade "Cien" Almas for WrestleMania is something that will no doubt be in the minds of many fans, and what better way to give the former NXT Champion his first main roster title than with a win over a legend like Mysterio?

That possibility alone makes Rey Mysterio's return important, but there are many others that will make this headline worthy for more than just one week.

#1 Aleister Black returns

Sorry, Rey Mysterio, but as far as returns go, this one was just better. For months, we had anticipated it, and NXT did a great job in the shocking reveal. We should find out who attacked Aleister Black in short order, and if you've read the spoilers, it's going to pave the way for a match that should easily be one of the best of 2018.

Aleister Black also has unfinished business with Tommaso Ciampa, who took the NXT Championship from him in July. With him being back, the yellow brand is set to be even better than it was this summer, and it will end the year and start 2019 strong with him in the picture until his main roster call up happens.

Aleister Black also had some great acting in this segment, even if he overdid it in the end. Stay tuned. A slobberknocker is ahead!