With the end of 2018 and the begining of 2019, it’s time to look back at some of the best moments and superstars of the past year. This is strictly a best of, as we search for what made 2018 so special. Once a Superstar has been picked for an individual category, they are not eligible for another one
Superstar of the Year: Becky Lynch
There were a lot of choices for the best of the best, but The Man tops them all. Lynch has always had strong support among the WWE Universe, but 2018 was the year that Lynch fully arrived. Her heel turn at Summerslam, if you can even call it that, marked the transformation into one of the most beloved superstars on any roster. Her new take no prisoners attitude has meant that she has fantastic matches as well as verbal takedowns live or on Twitter. The fact that Lynch lives her gimmick 24/7 shows just how much it works.
Male Superstar of the Year: AJ Styles
How is it that AJ Styles keeps getting older, but his performances keep getting better? The man who held down the top of the Smackdown roster for almost a year did so by having great matches with anyone who challenged him. The main compliment is that his babyface style never felt old or worn out, a rareity in pro wrestling. When Styles has a match, you have to watch because whoever he is facing, Styles will bring out the best in both him and himself.
Female Superstar of the Year: Ruby Riott
Ruby Riott is one of the most fascinating superstars to watch in a match. The leader of the Riott Squad seems to come up with new moves every match. This is a performer who always brings her A game to the ring. There will be gold in her future, she is simply too talented for it not to happen. Rewatch her matches with Natalya to see why she will be a big player in 2019.
Tag Team of the Year: The New Day
Tag Team wrestling had a golden year in 2018, but one team was involved in more classics then any other. Big E, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston can do it all. Make the audience laugh? Check. Have different members team together with no drop in quality? Check. Regularly steal the show? Check. The only problem is that this team has don it all in the tag division. Should they break up? Or should they chase gold separately but still bring the power of positivity and pancakes?
Rookie of the Year: Ronda Rousey
Rousey came into the WWE with a lot of high exceptions. People knew should would be good, many hoped she would be great. What no one saw was that she would take to professional wrestling like a fish to water. Her moves are great, her expressions spot on. No one has had a rookie year like hers in 2018 or any other year. Rousey should continue to put on great matches and become even better, as unbelievable as that sounds.
Most Emotional Moment (Happy): Daniel Bryan is cleared for ring competition.
We always hope that injured superstars will one day return to the ring. Sometimes it happens, most times it does not. Bryan coming back seemed so far fetched that it would never happen. The news that Bryan had been cleared came out a few hours before Smackdown and everyone was ecstatic. The moment had laughter, tears and probably one of the most inspiring speeches ever. The image of the fans pointing to the Wrestlemania sign for Bryan stills sends shivers down my spine.
Most Emotional Moment (Sad): Roman Reigns announces his battle with leukemia.
Wrestlers get injured, it’s a possibility ever time they step foot in the ring. Getting sick is something that fans don’t think about. Roman Reigns telling the world that his leukemia had returned was a sucker punch no one saw coming. Reigns put his best face on it, but the tears from the fans and his fellow wrestlers made it hurt even worse. Raw that night was not fun at all. Here’s hoping that 2019 sees the return of the Big Dog.
Pay-Per-View of the Year: Evolution
The first, but hopefully not last, all women’s pay-per-view was a smashing success on all fronts. Every match was great and the women of the WWE made sure that they showed that they belonged in the spotlight. The low key atmosphere and the dark lighting some how made it even better. This was the best event that WWE put on, and one match in particular made sure it made this list.
Match of the Year: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte (Last Woman Standing Match) (Evolution)
Brutal. Jaw Dropping. Awesome. There are so many other words to describe this instant classic between Lynch and Charlotte. The fact that this match is match of the year should come as no surprise. The storytelling was spot on and there were so many iconic moments. Lynch jumping on Charlotte from a ladder through a chair. Charlotte emerging from the rubble with hellfire in her eyes. There is another word to describe it. Perfect.
