10 Ways 2018 Was WWE's Craziest Year EVER

10. Chris Jericho Breaks The Walls Down

Though it may seem glib to start a WWE list off with a New Japan Pro Wrestling match, the context and consequences of Chris Jericho's Wrestle Kingdom contest with Kenny Omega can't be ignored upon review of such an eventful annum.

'Y2J' revealed that he'd cleared the shock initial appearances and subsequent encounter with Vince McMahon himself, but the two have since allegedly drifted apart after Jericho dove deeper into worlds far away from WWE.

The cross-promotional appeal of the match married up magnificently with NJPW's gradual global expansion back in January, and as with when he drew 'The Best Bout Machine's blood, Jericho's eyes widened when he realised what he'd opened up. Subscribers to New Japan World were up, Tokyo Dome ticket sales spiked, and the former 'Millennium Man' was suddenly in brand new demand nearly two decades later.

Clocking - as he so often does - the bandwagon that hadn't yet passed him by, Jericho hopped on. He instigated and dominated a feud with Tetsuya Naito to keep his powder dry in Japan, whilst shockingly appearing at ALL IN to announce his continued allegiance with the Elite crew, flog a few boat tickets, and gamble his short-term future with WWE. Few had shown wrestling's established empire so little concern, but expect more to make good on their own terms in the wake of 'Y2J's tremendous tenure.