10 MAJOR Improvements WWE Have Already Made In 2018

2. Reviving The Rumble

stephanie mcmahon ref
WWE.com

2018 will go down as the year WWE fixed the Royal Rumble.

2017 was a solid offering highlight by a Braun Strowman rampage and a handful of epic showdowns between transcendent part-time stars, but this year's approached all-time greatness. It's a bout that deserves to be mentioned alongside the classic 1992 and 2001 matches. The last 10-15 minutes were particularly exciting, and stand among the most well-booked sequences in Rumble history, with the universally adored Shinsuke Nakamura dumping failed babyface Roman Reigns a masterclass in crowd control.

The women's bout was a success, too, with stars from the division's past, present, and future closing the pay-per-view on a celebratory note. Then there was April's 50-man Greatest Royal Rumble, which felt largely inconsequential, but was still fun regardless.

Prior to this year, you had to go all the way back to 2010 to find the last truly great Rumble. 2016 was mediocre at best. 2014 turned into a nightmare the moment Rey Mysterio came out at number 30, and 2015 became a farce when not even The Rock could save Roman Reigns from complete rejection. Before that? Nothing but tedium, so credit to WWE for rejuvenating their signature gimmick bout.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.