10 Most Incredible Wrestling Moments Of 2019 (So Far)
Between AEW, WWE, and NJPW, it's been one hell of a year.
Professional wrestling has raced through 2019 at 100 miles per hour, with WWE's increased instability, AEW's emergence, and NJPW's transitional creative year rendering this the sport's most exciting period in ages.
The past six months have been relentless. Major, game-changing stories seem to break on a near-weekly basis, and fans can't afford to divert their attention for a second if they're to stay abreast of every major development. A nightmare for businessmen like Vince McMahon, perhaps, but a joy for anyone tired of the sterility and homogenisation that took over during his promotion's monopoly years.
With the G1 Climax underway, AEW television still to debut, and WWE SmackDown's move to FOX on the horizon, the most exciting thing is that these first two quarters are only the beginning. Things are only going to get nuttier from hereon out.
While WWE and NJPW have had up-and-down years, 2019 has already yielded dozens of moments fans shall cherish for a long, long time. Notable exclusions were therefore inevitable. Remember, too, that most of these entries (and the order in which they are placed) are subjective, so please share your own down in the comments section.
Let's get to it...
10. Big Dave's Big Return
While your mileage may vary on WrestleMania 35's methodical battle with Triple H, the night that brought Batista back to WWE programming after months of speculation hit like a punch to the face.
October 2018's SmackDown 1000 brought an Evolution reunion segment. In it, WWE hinted not only at a potential confrontation with Randy Orton, but also 'The Game,' whom Batista congratulated for doing everything in the wrestling business except him. The seeds were sown, and 'The Animal's' impact was felt four months later.
The 25 February 2019 episode of Monday Night Raw was built largely around Ric Flair's 70th birthday celebration. A group of legends including Rick Steamboat, Kurt Angle, Sting, Shawn Michaels, and of course, Triple H, had gathered in the ring for the event. Hunter called for 'The Nature Boy's' arrival. Something was wrong, though, and rather than cutting to Flair, we got a shot of Batista dragging a cameraman to Ric's locker-room.
'The Animal' re-emerged from behind the closed door moments later, pulling Flair's motionless carcass across the floor. "Hey Hunter, do I have your attention now?" he asked between heaving breaths, then bailing before his former mentor could get to him, having established himself as a dangerous Hollywood *sshole on his first night back.