10 Best WWE Storylines Of The Last 5 Years
Those WWE storylines that have stood head and shoulders above the rest in the last half-decade.
Not exactly known for their ability to spin truly captivating, long-running arcs that both effectively build the performers of tomorrow and get the most out of the star power they already possess on the likes of Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, the land of Sports Entertainment hasn't exactly been overflowing with epic storylines in recent times.
But that's not to say that there haven't still been a few thrilling gems settled in the thick of the often dreary WWE landscape many have grown depressingly used to surveying over the last half-decade.
And while Vince McMahon's empire can usually still be counted on to deliver the wrasslin' goods even when the programme that has preceded a PPV bout has been pathetic at best, the following collection of recent rivalries and back-and-forths have all come well equipped in both the in-ring action and storytelling exhibited throughout.
From old enemies finally showing their true colours once again after seemingly burying the hatchet, to capturing lightning in a bottle and kick-starting an entire 'Mania movement, these are the wrestling conflicts that stand as the absolute finest WWE has delivered on our screens in modern times.
10. Brock Lesnar Vs. Samoa Joe (2017)
The Samoa Joe fans witnessed on WWE programming from 2017 to 2021 was a far cry from the one seen bashing heads and killing folks a decade earlier.
However, on the rare occasion where Vince McMahon quite happily let his Samoan Submission Machine off the leash in a big-time programme, sheer magic was conjured.
Erupting at Paul Heyman hot on the heels of earning a number one contender's shot against a stacked field at Extreme Rules 2017, the visual of an intense Joe choking out Brock Lesnar's mouthpiece had fans simply salivating at the thought of what would go down the minute these two titans met face-to-face.
The answer? Joe made the reigning Universal Champion look incredibly out-gunned for the first time in an age. And the two would smash seven lumps of sh*t out of one another at the brilliantly titled Great Balls of Fire before continuing their eye-catching frenzy at SummerSlam as they formed half of a scintillating four-way over the red strap.
WWE undoubtedly missed a trick when it came to Joe's time in the squared-circle on the main roster. But in this Beastly back-and-forth, Joe and Lesnar brought the legit chaos and big-fight feels and then some.