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Last year was a wild one for WWE. Yet somehow, 2023 did its best to say “hold my beer” to 2022 and produce something even more packed with big stories in and out of the ring.
Where do we even start? Probably with the merger of WWE and UFC, a pairing no one would have predicted a few years ago, under the auspices of Endeavor to form a new company, TKO. The effects of creating a combat sports behemoth are only just beginning to be felt, but on the WWE product side, the most obvious impact was the ascension of Paul “Triple H” Levesque to unquestioned head of creative while Vince McMahon’s direct influence on weekly TV and premium live events waned.
Perhaps not coincidentally, WWE enjoyed a yearlong run of financial and critical success it hasn’t had in some time — certainly not since the COVID-19 pandemic, and not for at least a few years before it in the eyes of many observers. A string of record event gates was matched by the consensus feeling that the promotion’s combination of in-ring action and ongoing storylines was once again the best in the business.
While The Bloodline saga probably lost a little steam in the second half of 2023, it was still front and center early on, with Sami Zayn finally turning on the group and reuniting with Kevin Owens. Cody Rhodes got his chance to finish his story at an enormously successful WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium but fell short, leaving Roman Reigns in his spot as the unquestioned top champion.
Plenty of other highs included the continued ascent of The Judgment Day, the high profile arrival of Jade Cargill (though we’re still waiting for her to, you know, actually wrestle) and the “I can’t believe this is actually happening” return of CM Punk. But there were times of tragedy as well, none bigger than the stunning death of Bray Wyatt.
It was an incredibly eventful year that came right on the back of another and managed to surpass it in many ways. With that in mind, here’s a review of the top talent, moments and matches that defined WWE in 2023.