18 Biggest Wrestling Stories Of 2017

2. October - WWE's Epidemic

Undertaker WrestleMania 33
WWE.com

In October, WWE went viral. Unfortunately for them, it had nothing to do with fulfilling all their social media ambitions, but happened in the most literal sense, as top talents Roman Reigns and Bray Wyat were waylaid by a mumps outbreak.

That said, the Twittersphere did go into its own fever once their replacements for the upcoming TLC pay-per-view were announced. Viewers were already glad to be spared the ignominious sight of Finn Bálor dressing as a pumpkin opposite Wyatt's 'Sister Abigail' alter ego, but went into raptures when it was revealed AJ Styles would be drafted to Raw as Wyatt's substitute. Quite aside from a tedious like-for-like stand-in, the match had received an enormous upgrade.

Roman's surrogate was positively Earth-shattering: Kurt Angle. For the first time in nearly eleven years, the Olympian would don the tights (or as it transpired, body armour) in a WWE ring, as an honorary member of The Shield. Overnight, a vaguely interesting card became can't-miss - and the most anticipated of the year.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.