10 Biggest WWE Creative Success Stories Of 2018

3. Becky Lynch: The Man

WWE Evolution 2018 Becky Lynch Charlotte
WWE.com

Soberingly, WWE had very little to do with its biggest success story of the year - hence why it does not top this list.

Becky Lynch turned heel with a motive not twisted to her own warped viewpoint, but one achingly apparent to the fandom. Charlotte Flair, already perceived as entitled, capitalised on Becky's hard work at SummerSlam. And, when Becky lashed out, we were somehow expected not to sympathise with her frustrations. This was WWE once more comprehensively unable to gauge, much less script, a likeable performer. Because WWE gets everything backwards now, Lynch became a heel, and was cheered with even more enthusiasm. Eventually, with each brutal attack, savage jibe, and swaggering ring entrance, Becky, 10% orange hair and 90% ultra-f*cking-confidence, settled into the fabled - and very difficult - anti-hero role. WWE, in part, then matched, or at least recognised, her brilliance.

The parallels between Becky Lynch and Steve Austin are apparent - but so too are those between Becky and Daniel Bryan, who also got over through her own creativity at the expense of management's preferred option. On that basis, we can't fully credit WWE for this unbelievable creative success story.

Becky Lynch holds the pen.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!