10 Best Years In WWE History
Spoiler: 1995 did not make the cut.
WWE can be criticised for several things, but the structuring of the sports entertainment calendar is positively bulletproof.
Autumn can get a little dull and repetitive, but elsewhere, the format almost guarantees consistent quality. Even within tiresome years like 2011, in which The Miz was considered an adequate contender for John Cena's WWE title and the company itself had a kamikaze approach to star creation, we were still treated to an engaging Royal Rumble, a classic WrestleMania match and an intriguing (though ultimately squandered) summer angle to carry us through the post-'Mania doldrums.
Marrying this ingenious framework with red hot stars and compelling storylines, WWE have on several occasions reminded us as to why we love what Tony Schiavone used to call "this great sport".
During these years, an event like WrestleMania would be the proverbial icing on the cake - not something which can't come around quickly enough.
Here, we rank the best times ever to have committed to the oft-infuriating life of a hardcore wrestling fan...
10. 2009
2009 was the year which saw CM Punk rise to prominence - and indirectly influence a change in philosophy from WWE towards talent who'd made their name on the Independent scene.
His feud with Jeff Hardy was one of the greatest in WWE history. It started inauspiciously between the ropes. Their bout at the Bash was underwhelming, even in spite of the clever finish, which neatly foreshadowed Punk's slow-burning heel turn.
From there, however, they created pure magic, in a series riveting for its realism, patience and quality. The two men - polar opposites - were made to oppose one another. The feud gave us two thrilling matches and an unadulterated TLC classic at SummerSlam, but unlike many modern WWE feuds, the build was as memorable as the in-ring action.
Punk's promo game was outstanding, and his Hardy cosplay was one of the few occasions on which SmackDown's pretend noise machine wasn't required. The boos veritably rained down upon him.
2009 also played host to what many consider to be the greatest match ever booked by either Vincent J. or Vincent K. - Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXV.
Its very few detractors write it off as an exhibition, low on storytelling craft, but what an exhibition of pure wrestling it was. 'Taker's body language was so peerless on the night that he rendered a wholly predictable outcome in serious doubt.