World Wrestling Entertainment looked toward the future to strengthen its present in 2014. After years of fans begging the company to change things up, to reinvent itself by pushing younger talent to the spots traditionally held solely by John Cena and Randy Orton, fans got their wish. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt and Rusev were integral parts of WWE programming this year, laying the groundwork for the next generation. Not only were they important pieces of the puzzle that was WWE in 2014, they headlined pay-per-views, defeated some of the top stars in the industry and didn't just bask in the spotlight, they stole it from those Superstars who had become stale and complacent. In the process, they were part of moments and matches that will forever be associated with this year. Bray Wyatt's parlor tricks and mind games wowed audiences while Seth Rollins' betrayal of fellow Shield brethren Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose altered the course of the industry. Brock Lesnar's defeat of The Undertaker at WrestleMania shocked the world, wrestling fans and non, and the stars of NXT proved that the future is a bright one when it debuted on WWE Network with Arrival, a two-hour special event. Those are just some of the moments that laid the groundwork for an extremely eventful year. What others made the list? Click the "next" button to your lower right to find out.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
