2020 is in full-swing, and WWE is planning big stuff for the new year. While the year is sure to be an exciting time for wrestling, 2019 was a huge year for WWE. From history-making moments to overdue title wins, 2019 was filled with lots of great moments for WWE. While the company often comes under criticism, in 2019 they did a lot of stuff that was applauded by fans and wrestling journalists.
However, as with all good things, there were also some bad things that occurred in WWE. So let's take a look at all the things WWE did right in 2019, and some major mistakes they made.
10 Right: Women's Match In Saudi Arabia
WWE has come under criticism for hosting events in Saudi Arabia. But, at the Crown Jewel PPV in October 2019, WWE managed to provide a history-making moment.
Natalya and Lacey Evans competed in the first-ever women's wrestling match to be held in the country. Both ladies were covered up to respect the laws in the territory, and Natalya walked out the winner that night, but she and Lacey couldn't hold back tears at the realization of this historic moment. Everyone in the audience applauded the match, and it gave hope for women's progression in the country.
9 Wrong: Bobby Lashley And Lana's Romance
Bobby Lashley, Lana, and Rusev are a few WWE wrestlers who've been stuck in creative limbo for a while. So, WWE decided to create a love triangle with the group. After a long absence, Lana made her return to RAW and revealed she was having an affair with Bobby.
After her divorce from Rusev was finalized, Lana and Bobby had an elaborate wedding on RAW, which had plenty of interruptions. Not only did Rusev crash the ceremony, but so did Liv Morgan, who claimed she was in a relationship with Lana.
8 Right: Sasha Banks' Return
Throughout most of 2019, Sasha Banks' status with WWE was in question. After she and Bayley lost the women's tag titles at Wrestlemania 35, Sasha took a break from the company. Speculation ran rampant on whether Sasha would return or if she was leaving WWE.
On August 12, 2019, the day after SummerSlam, Sasha made her triumphant return to Monday Night RAW. As Natalya was giving an emotional speech, Sasha came down to comfort her. Then, all of a sudden, she unleashed a brutal attack on Natalya, leading to Sasha's long-overdue heel turn, which fans loved.
7 Wrong: Burying The Revival
In 2019, rumors circulated about The Revival being unhappy about their creative direction and wanting to leave WWE. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder have been vocal about their unhappiness with the company. Despite being given tag team championship reigns, The Revival seems to be getting buried by WWE as punishment for expressing their frustrations.
The team has often been featured in segments to make them look like fools. One infamous segment had The Usos put Ucey Hot in The Revival's gear. Heading into 2020, The Revival's status with WWE continues to be a mystery.
6 Right: The Creation Of The Fiend
After nearly a year-long absence, Bray Wyatt made his return to Monday Night RAW with a new gimmick. At first, Wyatt appeared in a series of segments called The Firefly Funhouse. With a clean-cut look and clothes, Wyatt seemed like a children's TV host as he introduced us to his puppet friends.
Then, Wyatt's character took on a more sinister turn as he turned into The Fiend. Decked out in dark clothing and wearing a scary mask, Wyatt introduced the world to his new persona, which quickly became a hit with fans.
5 Wrong: Putting Seth And Becky's Relationship Onscreen
2019 was a big year for Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. Not only were they the top champions on RAW, but the two also became engaged in real-life.
After going public with their relationship in May 2019, Seth and Becky became one of wrestling's most popular couples. WWE decided to capitalize on their relationship by showcasing it onscreen as the couple feuded with Lacey Evans and Baron Corbin. Having Seth and Becky's real-life relationship broadcast on WWE television received mixed reactions from fans who thought it was overshadowing their roles as champions.
4 Right: Kofi Kingston Winning The WWE Championship
This is a moment that was 13 years in the making. Kingston had won every wrestling championship, except for the WWE Championship. In February 2019, the storyline started to unfold as Kofi went through many of Vince McMahon's challenges to finally earn his long-overdue title shot.
At Wrestlemania 35, Kofi defeated Daniel Bryan to win the WWE Championship. After the match, Kofi's New Day partners Big E and Xavier Woods came down to celebrate this momentous occasion. Everyone had tears in their eyes that night as Kofi was announced as the new WWE Champion.
3 Wrong: Dean Ambrose's Departure
One of the biggest storylines in 2019 was Dean Ambrose's departure from WWE. Frustrated with the creative direction of his character, Ambrose decided not to renew his contract.
After news broke of Ambrose's upcoming departure, WWE began booking in him a series of squash matches that he lost. Fans suspected this was WWE's way of punishing the star and making him look weak. However, their plans backfired because the crowds continued to cheer for Ambrose. Following his departure from WWE, Ambrose went back to his Jon Moxley persona and joined WWE's competitor AEW.
2 Right: Women's Wrestlemania Main Event
WWE continues to make history when it comes to their women's division. At Wrestlemania 35, for the first time ever, a women's match was the main event of the PPV.
Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch faced off against RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey and Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair in a winner takes all match. The women put on a heck of a show that had fans on their feet. At the end of the night, Lynch would walk out with both belts in what was a historic night for women's wrestling.
1 Wrong: Brock Lesnar Winning MITB
After losing the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 35, Brock Lesnar disappeared for a while. At the Money in the Bank PPV, he made his return as a last-minute entrant into the MITB match. Just as Ali was about to retrieve the briefcase, Lesnar pushed him off, then went on to win the case.
Fans were outraged over Lesnar's win and felt it was unfair to the other wrestlers who spent all that time competing in the match for nothing. Their anger increased when Lesnar cashed in the briefcase to win the Universal Championship back from Seth Rollins.