25 Biggest WWE Epic Failures Of 2016

Throughout 2016, we have witnessed some of the most memorable moments in WWE history, including the arrival of AJ Styles in the Royal Rumble match, Shane McMahon and Goldberg returning, and the Brand Extension being brought back.

All in all, 2016 has been an exceptional year for WWE, especially from an in-ring standpoint. Never before has a year produced as many Match of the Year candidates as 2016 has for WWE.

However, the year has had its share of moments most of us would like to forget—or have forgotten already—because of their insignificance or horrendous booking. The poor presentation of the Cruiserweight division instantly comes to mind, but it was far from the worst thing to happen to WWE in 2016.

Occasionally, backstage officials begin an angle they eventually don't follow up on, which confuses viewers and insults our intelligence. It has been prominent in the past with WWE, and this year was no exception.

As important as it is to recognize all the company has done well this year, it is equally imperative that their flaws be brought to light as well. Perhaps providing some insight on how they could have been avoided will prevent them from making the same mistakes in 2017.

As has been done every year since 2011, I have composed a list of 25 moments, angles, Superstars and more that qualify as the biggest epic failures of 2016. If you can't recall some of the following things happening, I don't blame you whatsoever.

It was pretty evident early on in 2016 that Roman Reigns was bound to be a major focal point of the product throughout the year. Although he didn't win the Royal Rumble this year, he came close toward the end before winning a No. 1 Contender's Triple Threat match at Fastlane. He then regained the WWE Championship from Triple H in a mediocre main event match at WrestleMania 32.

From there, he reigned as champion through June where he dropped the strap in shocking fashion to Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank, which marked his first clean one-on-one loss on the main roster. Dean Ambrose subsequently cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become champion as well.

None of this likely would have happened, however, had Reigns not been suspended for violating the WWE Wellness Policy two days later. WWE was well aware of the suspension when they booked to the finish to the bout, forcing them to change plans. Rollins and Reigns would have rekindled their rivalry through SummerSlam over the WWE Universal Championship, but the temporary "heat" on Reigns led to WWE going with Finn Balor as Rollins' SummerSlam opponent instead.

However, this was one "epic failure" that ended up working out for the best, as both Ambrose and Balor received world title runs and main event slots because of it.