The world of WWE storylines revolves around rivalries, and there were some riveting ones in 2018. From their incredible matches, to in-ring promos, the below five programs knocked it out of the park this year.
5. The Usos and The New Day
Sadly, the WWE has placed the tag team division on both brands to the backburner, despite the fact that both rosters have strong and entertaining tag talent that could really “bring it”. With that said, the Usos and New Day once again pulled off a successful year when it comes to programs. Their match at Fastlane in February was stellar, along with their triple threats with the Bludgeon Brothers (at Wrestlemania 34), and The Bar (at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view). Can these two tag teams ever put on a bad match? Even when they come together, they have fans on the edge of their seats, pulling out SmackDown LIVE’s only win at this year’s Survivor Series. Okay, it was during the pre-show, but still.
4. The Miz and Daniel Bryan
It was the program the WWE Universe had been waiting for, years in the making. Once Daniel Bryan declared he was cleared for in-ring action, WWE fans everywhere speculated on a DB versus The Miz program, and our thirst to see this rivalry played out in the ring was dream come true. From their matches, to in-ring segments, and getting the wives, Brie Bella and Maryse, involved at one point, this rivalry was stellar.
3. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
So, their program started off a bit rocky, with a lackluster program buildup to their Wrestlemania 34 match; however, once Shinsuke hit that low blow and turned heel, all bets were off. Yes, Nakamura was a bit obsessed with getting to Styles’ pork and beans at times, but their matches and promos, once the program got rolling post-Mania, were simply, well, phenomenal.
2. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe
Speaking of phenomenal, not sure if it could get any better than Joe versus Styles in 2018. Sprinkling in a little bit of reality into a storyline is always good, and adding AJ’s wife and daughter Annie into the mix really enhanced their rivalry and this story. Raise your hand if Joe’s “Oh Wendy …” brought shrills down your spine?! And his bedtime story book that revolved around him and Styles was just the icing on the cake.
1. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
WWE officials thought they were turning Becky Lynch heel at this year’s 2018 SummerSlam event, but what they ended up doing is elevating Lynch to a level that very few superstars can attain. Becks is one of the biggest things about WWE right now, and even has main stream media talking about her. She’s The Man on all accounts, organically over with the fans, and potentially on her way to main event the Grandest Stage of Them All, making history as the first-ever women’s match to do so. But, let’s talk about the feud, and matches that brought Lynch to where she was at; because if it wasn’t for Charlotte helping to push her over, she may not be where she is today. Flair and Lynch were both incredible in late 2018, in a BFF feud that had Sasha Banks and Bayley wishing they had turned on each other and not remained friends. In the end, both Flair and Lynch left the program looking strong, and is seems that after the TLC PPV, their business may not be over with each other, or Ronda Rousey for that matter.
