WB’s Top 10 Moments for 2022
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This year has provided us with numerous moments that left everyone surprised & also some who allocated excitement regarding 2022!
The WB Team delegated our ten junctures which correlated with professional wrestling and altered its course positively or negatively. One thing remains apparent these circumstances left a unique impression on both those looking from the outside to each who knew within.
1. Vince Leaves WWE
Nobody predicted that Vince McMahon leaving WWE could occur. In July, he announced his retirement from the company effectively in a public statement where the former administrator had commented, “ As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman & CEO of WWE! “
What many have expressed led to his departure was allegations involving an affair with an ex-employee. The mainstream news outlet ‘ Wall Street Journal’ published a revealing report the previous month concerning the alleged behavior of Mr. McMahon. The cooperation’s board investigated McMahon for agreeing to pay a lucrative three million dollar settlement to the woman.
Then, later new reports stated that McMahon paid 12 million to four other women & this includes the former employee, as mentioned before. It reportedly was used to cover up “ allegations of sexual misconduct & infidelity. “ The CEO did cooperate with investigators, his lawyer told WSJ & said, that “ WWE did not pay any monies “ to the ex-employee “ on her departure. “ WWE would not comment any further on this situation. All the women who accused McMahon had worked for WWE at some point.
Vince McMahon, age 77, made the company an international brand. Stars like Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, & John Cena became enormous celebrities due to their success under him in WWE.
Friday, July 22, 2022, McMahon said that the company will “continue to entertain you with the same fervor, dedication, & passion as always. “
“ I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives, “ he said. “ As the majority shareholder, I will continue to support WWE in any way I can. “
He finished that statement with the organization’s marquee phrase: “ Then. Now. Forever. Together. “
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin Returns
It’s been two decades since WWE Hall of Famer & 6-time champion stepped back inside a pro-wrestling ring. The legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin made one triumphant return at WrestleMania 38-Night 1 in his home state of Texas. Do you want to talk about chilling nostalgic moments? Nothing is more iconic & grander than a Texas Rattlesnake appearing inside AT & T Stadium live from suburban Dallas, TX!!! On Saturday, April 1st, Austin defeated Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred Match. Fans erupted when they heard that popular Jim Johnston theme-featuring glass shattering. Stone Cold still excites audiences with his rebellious anti-hero-based personality. It was Austin’s first match since competing at WrestleMania XIX! He faced the Rock.
Stone Cold justice would endure the following evening via Sunday, April 3rd. Austin executed his signature finisher /Stone Cold stunner on long-time adversary Mr. McMahon concerning night two of WrestleMania: SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee beat Austin Theory. Afterward, Vince McMahon defeated McAfee. Steve Austin reemerged to confront the boss & Theory. Stone Cold stunned Vince, Theory, & Pat McAfee himself. Steve Austin proved why legends are valuable.
Many feel this represented Austin’s final match. Now rumors are suggesting he might wrestle at next year’s WrestleMania.
3. MJF beats CM Punk Twice
He’s one of the profession’s best villains, Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) amazed the wrestling populace by winning against CM Punk in Chicago. Here’s the deal, MJF had routed Punk twice. On a remarkable episode of AEW Dynamite, these wrestlers faced off interestingly in a good matchup. The main event featured All-Elite Wrestling’s top stars that night live on TBS circa Wednesday, February 2nd.
It appeared that MJF was victorious early on after relying on his wrist tape to choke out CM Punk, and the match would restart. Let’s discuss a couple of the stellar highlights. Punk hit one terrific maneuver named the top-rope pedigree on MJF.
MJF used more intelligence than his opposition this evening. Wardlow passed the Diamond ring to MJF & which allowed him to defeat CM Punk for a second time!
If a wrestler can beat the opponent twice? He deserves compliments & respect.
4. CM Punk/The Elite Backstage Brawl
Post-September’s AEW All Out Media Scrum: The wrestling news media announced that CM Punk & his trainer/ friend Ace Steel were involved in an alleged backstage brawl with “The Elite “ ( Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson). It all went down after Punk’s argumentive/ expletive comments that addressed The Elite & their friends to wrestling journalists while sitting beside AEW owner Tony Khan.
All-Elite Wrestling stripped Punk of the World Title because of this encounter & the company also took away the AEW World Trios Championship from the Bucks & Omega due to their involvement. Fans would not see Punk or The Elite on TV for
Wrestling consistently faces dividing controversies thanks to egos. Top stars have confronted each other throughout its beginning. Sometimes intense drama transpires backstage amid main-event-positioned talent. Everybody doesn’t get along despite working for the same promotion. Both Punk & Omega & The Jackson Brothers have their critics.
Since the incident, Ace Steel was fired & The Elite has returned to AEW but not CM Punk. New Trios Champions Death Triangle began a best-of-seven series commencing at Full Gear.
Recently Dax Harwood of FTR vocalized his support for Punk.
5. Bray Wyatt’s WWE return
Bray Wyatt remains enigmatic as his characters draw you into this psychological yet eerily twisted atmosphere. The depth of creativeness manufactures cinematic intrigue that fits a more sports-entertainment presentation. Wyatt was WWE’s top attraction until rumored philosophic ideologies meaning his reinventing character work likely clashed with Vince McMahon toward the end of Wyatt’s first WWE run. His release came in 2021 from the company.
Bray embarked on playing similar mind games with wrestling fans about a possible future return to WWE! Under a newly directed Triple H regime with new Co-CEOs Stephanie McMahon & Nick Khan. The Game reassembled his team by repairing the substantial relationships with released talent that possessed a closer bond concerning him. After cryptic messages on social media & one haunting rock anthem called White Rabbit, the assumptions multiplied for a few months on who pulled these wicked strings.
On Saturday, October 8th, 2022, WWE Extreme Rules in Philadelphia, PA. After the physical Fight-Pit match between Matt Riddle & Seth Rollins. Abruptly, a blackout starts. Past Firefly Funhouse characters appear by spotlight. This time those popularized innovations came to life as a group sending their dark messages.
We hear a creepy voice sing, He’s got the whole world in his hands, A smoke-filled mystical doorway is present & Bray Wyatt reveals himself to live audiences & viewers. Wyatt captivated our imaginations when he portrayed the cult-like leader of The Wyatt Family and then The Fiend! Now we are introduced to another character. It remains one of the greater WWE returns.
6. Sami Zayn kicks Kevin Owens
Professional wrestling must invariably disseminate fascinating stories based on logic. Few have acquired such a viewing conquest that peaks immediate appeal. WWE paired Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman & Reigns’ real-life cousins, Jimmy & Jey Uso & later another cousin Solo Sikoa to create the profession’s best saga titled “ The Bloodline! “
Circa April 2022, Sami Zayn needed instant locker room respect. On the 22nd of April, Friday Night SmackDown, Zayn desired favor from The Bloodline. During the weeks to follow, Sami became an “ Honorary Uce! “ He joined their dominant group. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn go way back as friends & rivals. KO tried convincing Zayn that his newfound family would eventually betray him & Owens aligned with The Brawling Brutes & Drew McIntyre at Survivor Series WarGames in Boston, Mass. In the Men’s WarGames match, Zayn proved his loyalty to the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & Tag Team Champions The Uso’s & Sikoa & Heyman. He low-blew & kicked Kevin Owens to assist the Bloodline to victory!
7. The Acclaimed win the AEW Tag Team Championships
The Acclaimed ( Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) reenergized AEW’s Tag Team division for 2022. Their presentation was impressionable upon wrestling spectators. There continued to be a void of homegrown teams within the company. One could visualize them evolving into an exciting duo. Caster’s engaging rapping methods thrilled onlookers. Bowens provides shoutouts to cities AEW TV shows host. We recommend that you watch Dynamite & Rampage, & PPVs!
Their celebrated association with the WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn has elevated the young stars. It helps that ‘ Scissor me Daddy’ remains a famed phrase created by Bowens & Caster. During the September event AEW Grand Slam from earlier this year, The Acclaimed defeated Swerve In Our Glory ( Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee ) to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships! The crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium went crazy for Caster & Bowens.
The Acclaimed currently remain the reigning All Elite Wrestling tag team champions.
8. Cody returns at Mania
The wrestling world was shocked to learn about Cody & Brandi Rhodes leaving AEW in December 2021. These reports indicated a mutual parting of ways. Soon, rumblings that WWE expressed interest in Cody began fueling a popular & trendy rumored conversation. The American Nightmare’s free agency fascinated those who followed this story.
Night one of WrestleMania 38: after six long years, a prodigal son returned home. Cody Rhodes shocked fans as he made his triumphant return to WWE. A Wrestling royalty/ second-generational talent surprised & wrestled another global sensation named Seth “ Freakin “ Rollins. Cody proved why all roads rightfully led him WWE-bound. Critics & Supporters praised their Mania bout. It’s his destiny & Cody secured the victory against Rollins. That’s a moment none of us will ever forget.
9. Triple H takes over WWE
In July-2022, WWE named Paul Levesque (Triple H) as their head of creative & talent relations. He replaced both Vince McMahon after his retirement & John Laurinaitis in the talent relations department position. McMahon & Laurinaitis exited WWE after the Wall Street Journal discovered past reports of sexual misconduct where female employees made allegations against them.
This move was favorable among most fans. Many enjoyed how Levesque handled WWE’s developmental brand NXT & various main-roster talent. He suffered a tremendous health scare when the wrestling legend experienced a cardiac issue that forced him into in-ring retirement.
Both Stephanie McMahon & Nick Khan replaced Vince McMahon as co-CEOs.
Behind the scenes, Triple H has a great relationship with several superstars. The WWE Hall of Famer has resigned notable stars since fully running things. Bray Wyatt, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, Tegan Nox, Emma, Johnny Gargano, & Candice LeRae & others have returned under the new regime. Creatively the characters are allowed to be more of themselves.
10. Lesnar destroys the ring with a tractor
Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns is an epic rivalry. The Beast first met Roman pre-Bloodline days at WrestleMania 34 in 2018, where he retained his Universal Championship! Paul Heyman was also aligned with Brock at that time as well.
It was the SummerSlam 2021 finale that saw Lesnar return to confront Universal Champion Roman Reigns after conquering the legend John Cena with former Advocate turned Special Counsel for The Bloodline. The Tribal Chief retained the Universal title and defeated Brock via pinfall at October’s Crown Jewel!
Night 2 of WrestleMania 38 2022, emanating live inside the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. WWE Champion Cowboy Brock Lesnar always pushed Roman Reigns to his limits. See, this was no typical affair & Roman also possessed the Universal Championship. It’s Champion versus Champion in a Winner Takes All match. Reign’s conquest progressed following Lesnar’s defeat. Roman then unified both prestigious belts. Now they called him the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
A few months later, SummerSlam 2022 live from Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. A Last Man Standing Match would further reignite this brutal feud. It was a rematch for the titles. Nissan Stadium became electric that momentous night. Lesnar astonished wrestling fans by driving a tractor into the ring & also lifting the ring while Reigns was still inside. It caused Roman to fall out of the squared circle. Reigns somehow survived to retain & win the physical war.
Witnessing Brock Lesnar destroy a wrestling ring with a tractor was awesome. What a jaw-dropping moment that ordeal turned out to be.
2022 has supplied us with lots of surprising developments.
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