With another year just about in the books, it's a time for reflection on 2013 and what lays ahead in 2014, and the WWE had some great moments throughout the year of 2013 with memorable feuds, matches, segments and returns on their pay-per-views and programming. Below is a list of the Top 5 moments in the WWE in 2013.
First some honorable mentions:
Honorable Mention #1: 1/27/13 Chris Jericho Returns at the Royal Rumble:
With a lengthy six-month hiatus put behind him, "Y2J" Chris Jericho shocked many with a surprising return at the 2013 Royal Rumble match as the No.2 entrant after saying he wouldn't be back. Jericho put on a solid performance and lasted 47 minutes before he was eventually eliminated by Dolph Ziggler, but it was a joy for the WWE Universe to see Jericho return to the squared circle.
Honorable Mention #2: 8/18/13 Daniel Bryan beats John Cena at SummerSlam, Orton Spoils Celebration:
At the WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view in August, Cena entered his match with Daniel Bryan with an arm that needed surgery, leading many to think that the WWE would finally hitch its wagon to Bryan and give him the championship in Cena's last match for a couple of months. Bryan ended up winning with a flying knee, but WWE creative reared its ugly head as Orton came down and with an assist from Triple H, cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE Championship. While Bryan fans were disgruntled with the outcome, it was important for jump-starting The Authority angle which is still continuing to the very end of 2013.
Honorable Mention #3: 7/14/13 Rob Van Dam Returns at Money in the Bank:
Rob Van Dam left the WWE in 2007 and it was uncertain if he'd ever find his way back after stints in the independent circuit and TNA, but sure enough in 2013 "The Whole Damn Show" made his triumphant return to the squared circle by signing a part-time deal. RVD made his return at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in July and was once again very impressive. Van Dam stayed until his deal was up following the Battleground event in early October, but it was good to see him back in a WWE ring and in a program with Alberto Del Rio over the World Heavyweight Championship.
Onto the Top 5:
5) 4/8/13: Ziggler Cashes In On RAW:
The night after WrestleMania XXIX was a memorable one as Dolph Ziggler came out and took advantage of an injured Alberto Del Rio by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and winning his second World Heavyweight Championship. There was some drama as it looked like Del Rio was going to make a full recovery and win the match, but Ziggler eventually was able to take advantage of a fatigued Del Rio and walk out with the belt.
4) 12/15/13 The WWE Finally Unifies The World Heavyweight And WWE Championships at TLC:
The WWE insisted on having two World Championships for a long time, and the company finally put an end to it by having Randy Orton and John Cena battle in a title unification match at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs to help bring importance and prestige by having just one title. While the match itself could have used more buildup considering its importance and wasn't exactly a Match of the Year candidate, it was still entertaining and the benefit of a clean ending rather than the rumored "screwy ending" was refreshing to see. It was also a surprise to see the WWE go with Orton rather than their poster boy Cena as the unified champion and face of the WWE.
3) 10/14/13 The Rhodes Brothers Emerge And Win Gold on RAW:
In one of the better stories in pro wrestling this year, Cody Rhodes and Goldust (Dustin Rhodes) were paired together and eventually won the Tag Team Championship. After saving their jobs and their father Dusty Rhodes' job as an NXT trainer at Battleground in October by defeating The Shield, the brothers had some more greatness in store. The pair was able to successfully wrestle away the Tag Team Titles from The Shield on an October episode of Monday Night RAW to cap off a truly great story for the two brothers.
2) 8/14/13 CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam:
CM Punk and Brock Lesnar stole the show in August at WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view in a blood feud that saw Heyman's newest client take on his old client in a brutal and memorable match that was the best match on the card and a legitimate Match of the Year contender. Punk looked as though he'd thwart off his much larger opponent, until a Heyman distraction cost him the match and Lesnar stood tall in a fantastic contest.
1) 4/7/13 CM Punk vs. The Undertaker And The Streak At WrestleMania:
While WrestleMania XXIX was built around John Cena and The Rock for the second consecutive year--angering CM Punk--Punk and Undertaker stole, and possibly saved, the show. While Punk was legitimately mad about not being in the main event, he didn't let it affect his work as he and the Undertaker put on what could be the Match of the Year at the biggest show of them all, saving a rather mediocre event from being a total flop. Everything from the buildup to the match itself was well-done and very memorable. The near-falls and drama of the match were right on the money leading to a memorable clash that could be argued as the best match in 2013.
2013 was a memorable year for the WWE and it is sure to have a lot of twists, turns and surprises in store in 2014.
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