10 Things That Made Us Proud To Be Wrestling Fans In 2018

7. Japanese Stars Rule The Royal Rumble

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WWE

WWE's long-held problems with booking foreign wrestlers credibly sounded the alarm bells when NXT standouts Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura hit the main roster in 2017, but their respective Royal Rumble 2018 triumphs suggested change was on the way.

Both felt like rare moments of fan service. In the men's bout, Nakamura shone in an electric 'last six' showdown, aligning with Rey Mysterio and Finn Bálor to face John Cena, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns. His final showdown with Reigns was as well-agented a Rumble battle as there has ever been, and the popular fan favourite overcoming the company-sponsored Golden Boy ensured a cathartic finish. Asuka, meanwhile, walked in as the inaugural women's Rumble's favourite, and scored an earned triumph after fending off a late scare from Nikki Bella, whose victory would've filled the building with hatred and bile. Again, it was scripted perfectly.

WWE, as they're prone to doing, marred the situation with ineffective follow-ups, as Nakamura and Asuka both failed at WrestleMania 34. We're still awaiting the day Vince McMahon finally solves the simple puzzle of booking Japanese wrestlers well, but the Rumble was a euphoric glimmer of hope.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.