14 WWE Moments That Defined 2014

By Erik Beaston /

10. NXT Arrival - February 27

The launch of the WWE Network brought with it the opportunity for fans across the country to witness the development and evolution of the company's stars of the future. NXT, it was revealed, would not only be available to subscribers each and every week, but the brand would also present quarterly live, two-hour specials serving as the culmination to their biggest and best storylines. On February 27, three days after the launch of the revolutionary network, NXT Arrival featured Adrian Neville defeating Bo Dallas in a Ladder match for the NXT Championship, Paige retaining her women's title over Emma in a stellar wrestling match and Sami Zayn and Cesaro delivering a match that, some 10 months later, still ranks as one of the year's best. It was very much a taste of things to come, as NXT developed into, arguably, the best and most consistent show produced by WWE. Over the course of the year, fans watched Zayn's up-and-down road to redemption, Neville's outstanding title reign, Tyson Kidd's rise to relevance and the debuts of Indy standouts Finn Balor, Hideo Itami and Kevin Owens. If the brand's latest special, Takeover: R Evolution is any indication, expect NXT to make an even bigger impact in 2015 as the Superstars and Divas of that brand prove that the future is now.