WWE Year in Review 2016: B/R Experts' Top Moments of the Year

It's been a year filled with shocks, twists, surprises and emotion, and even then, that probably doesn't do justice to a whirlwind 12 months for WWE.

The company has made stars of some of its most popular talents while continuing to show a lack of creativity with others.

There have been pay-per-views that will live long in the memory, great returns that have paid off and a brand split which has set the company up for an intriguing, exciting 2017.

But looking back at 2016, which moments stand firmly in fans' memories? We asked our team to come up with its most memorable moments of 2016 for a special end-of-year list.

There's shock returns, pipe-bomb promos, dramatic twists and so much more all included.

Here's the rundown of the Bleacher Report team's top 10 moments of 2016.

The Contributors and How It Works

Credit: WWE.com

First of all, a nod to the team for its excellent contributions at the end of a strong year for WWE. The guys taking part in this particular list are the following:

• Ryan Dilbert (@ryandilbert), lead writer for @BR_WWE
• James Moffat (@jamesmoffat)
• Erik Beaston (@ErikBeaston)
• Kevin Berge (@TheBerge_)
• Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor)
• And finally, yours truly, Aaron Bower (@AaronBower)

So how does it work? Each member of the team was asked for his top 10 moments of 2016. In this instance, a "moment" is defined as any of the following:

• A great match
• A memorable finish
• A huge/shock/surprise return
• An unforgettable promo
• A big spot in a match
• A huge turning point in a contest

So anything that sticks in our writers' minds. They ranked the moments from 10th to first, and the most popular 10 choices were the ones that made the cut on this list.

But before we get into the top 10—and there are some great picks—here are the honorable mentions which were flagged up by our writers but didn't quite make the cut.

Honorable Mentions

In no particular order, here are the honorable mentions:

• Bobby Roode makes his "glorious" debut on NXT (Aug. 3, NXT)
• Shane McMahon returns to WWE (Feb. 22, Raw)
• Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair main-event Raw (Oct. 3, Raw)
• Heath Slater earns himself a WWE contract (Sept. 11, Backlash)
• Each member of The Shield holds the WWE World Championship on the same night (June 19, Money in the Bank)
• AJ Styles turns heel (May 30, Raw)
• The success of The List of Jericho (various shows)
• DIY beats The Revival to win the NXT Tag Team Championships (Nov. 19, NXT TakeOver: Toronto)
• Asuka beats Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship (April 1, NXT TakeOver: Dallas)
• Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin share the ring (April 3, WrestleMania 32)
• AJ Styles pins John Cena clean (Aug. 21, SummerSlam)
• The return of the WWE draft (July 19, Raw)
• Neville returns as a heel (Dec. 18, Roadblock: End of the Line)

Time for the top 10.

No. 10: Sasha Banks Wins Her First Main-Roster Title (July 25, Raw)

Sasha Banks has had a memorable year in WWE, and although we could have picked any of her stellar matches to make this list, the one that makes the cut is her first championship win on the main roster.

It came on the July 25 edition of Raw, the first show the red brand held following the WWE draft the previous week. This was some way to kick it off.

Banks and Charlotte Flair had encountered one another on the main roster briefly before this point, with Banks coming up short a couple of times.

But here, fans were given the big payoff in spectacular fashion, as Banks locked in the Bank Statement on Flair, and after some resistance from the champ, The Queen tapped out.

The reaction from the crowd said it all. If you can't recall the moment, give the video above a watch. It's a special moment, as is the interview Banks gives post-match.

No. 9: The Cruiserweight Classic

Looking back, it's fair to say the return of the cruiserweight division to Raw has yet to do the success of the Cruiserweight Classic any justice.

Our writers placed the tournament as a whole—with specific mentions for TJ Perkins' win in the final—into ninth place on the list of 2016's most memorable moments.

And it's well worth a place on the list. There were some incredible matches, including Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano, Kota Ibushi vs. The Brian Kendrick and many more.

And Perkins himself was involved in some of the tournament's best tussles.

His victory against Ibushi was stellar, as was the final against Gran Metalik. 

Since then, Perkins and the rest of the division have yet to live up to the reputation this tournament provided for the cruiserweights. Here's hoping 2017 can be a more successful year.

No. 8: Triple H Returns to Hand Kevin Owens the Title (Aug. 29, Raw)

Finn Balor's injury, which forced him to forfeit the WWE Universal Championship, was a cruel blow, but it handed WWE the opportunity to produce one of the biggest shocks of the year.

The Aug. 29 edition of Raw saw a new champion crowned after a spectacular Fatal 4-Way match. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Big Cass were the four men who qualified, and after Cass was eliminated first, it left the obvious three candidates in Owens, Rollins and Reigns.

What followed next, however, was completely unexpected. From nowhere, Triple H advanced through the crowd to take down Reigns and roll him into the ring. He would then turn to Rollins, pick him up and prompt him to eliminate Reigns, which he duly did.

Cue the smug looks from Rollins and Triple H we've grown accustomed to seeing during The Authority. It seemed certain what was going to happen next, but WWE swerved us all.

Amazingly, The Game turned his back on Rollins, delivering a Pedigree in the middle of the ring and allowing Owens to get the win in the process.

The fact that two members of our team placed it in the top three underlines how telling a moment it was for the company this year. However, the lack of an explanation for Triple H's actions almost four months removed from the incident perhaps impacted its final standing.

Note: Two writers put this moment in the top three, including one placing it at No. 1.

No. 7: Finn Balor Wins the WWE Universal Championship (Aug. 22, SummerSlam)

Who would be the company's first holder of the WWE Universal Championship? Seth Rollins? Roman Reigns? Kevin Owens?

Amazingly, WWE overlooked all of its established stars in August and went for a huge fan favorite—Finn Balor. It's a victory nearly all members of our team placed in their top 10 moments.

Balor reached SummerSlam to face Rollins the hard way—overcoming Cesaro, Owens and Rusev in a Fatal 4-Way match and then beating Reigns in a match to decide who would advance to square off against Rollins, who was automatically placed in the bout.

The fact that Rollins was handpicked to go into the main event at SummerSlam may have led a few WWE fans down the wrong track in regard to his chances of victory, as Balor upset the odds and emerged triumphant.

Looking back, this was a great moment for WWE, as well as its fans. Rewarding guys like Balor, who were such a prominent part of perhaps NXT's greatest roster lineup in history, is a smart thing to do. The payoff and the reaction were huge. It's just such a shame it was tainted with disappointment.

During the match, Balor suffered a shoulder injury and would subsequently relinquish the title the following night on Raw. He's not been seen since, but 2017 is bound to be a strong year for The Demon King.

No. 6: The Miz's 'Talking Smack' Promo (Aug. 23, 'Talking Smack')

If anyone epitomizes the ability to make something out of nothing in 2016, it's SmackDown star The Miz.

When he was drafted to the blue brand, it didn't cause too much of a reaction among WWE fans, but in the months since the brand split, he's gone on to become one of the company's biggest and best heels.

And in truth, his rise to stardom began once in August, when he completely let loose on SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan in perhaps the best promo of the entire year on Talking Smack.

Bryan's comments about The Miz being a "coward" struck a nerve with the intercontinental champion, who then went on a tear about how he busts himself every night, leaving confusion aplenty about whether he broke kayfabe in the process.

It was a passionate, raw promo which felt real—and one which instantly earned The Miz a lot of fans. For years, he has been the guy who hasn't seemed all that relevant on WWE's landscape. Now, it seems more likely that, when he drops the Intercontinental Championship again, he'll be heading for the main event on SmackDown.

That's how influential and pivotal this promo was for The Miz's career.

Note: Every writer who picked this moment—four of the six—placed it in their top fives, with one placing it in the top three.

No. 5: Goldberg's Return and Win Against Brock Lesnar

If the standout moments on this list would have been merely about shocks and surprises, Goldberg would have probably been higher than fifth.

The fact that WWE announced he was returning to the company earlier this year after a 12-year hiatus was significant enough. When it was announced he would be facing Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, that was also reason enough to get excited.

But Lesnar would avenge his loss at WrestleMania over a decade ago and put the legend of Goldberg to bed, right? 

It seemed so obvious and so certain that WWE pulled the ultimate swerve and not only had Goldberg win, but also do it in a matter of seconds.

The sheer disbelief on the faces of those in attendance at Survivor Series told the whole story. It was a moment where commentary didn't need to speak—similar to Lesnar pinning The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30.

Many doubted whether Goldberg could make a significant impact in his return to WWE. The reactions he's received since, as well as the way he put Lesnar away, should leave fans excited for their next confrontation at the Royal Rumble next month.

Note: Each writer picked a Goldberg-related moment in his top 10—either his return to WWE or the win against Lesnar.

No. 4: Shane McMahon Leaps from the Cell (April 3, WrestleMania 32)

"For the love of mankind, Shane just exploded through a table!" 

Michael Cole's commentary sometimes attracts its detractors, but here, it summed up the mood of this particular moment perfectly.

Did most people suspect Shane McMahon—now at the age of 46 and wrestling in a WWE ring for the first time in seven years—to do something out of the ordinary against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32? Probably.

After all, it's how McMahon made his name during his first run with the company. But this death-defying leap of faith from the top of Hell in a Cell was above and beyond what people expected him to do.

It was a moment that seemed to last forever. As it became apparent what McMahon was planning, he stared down, 20 feet below him, at a lifeless Taker.

However, as he hurled himself to the ground, The Undertaker shuffled out of the way, which sent McMahon crashing through the announcers' table at ringside.

Amazingly, he would pick himself up and finish the match, and since then, he's gone on to become a prominent part of WWE TV once again. 

WrestleMania was designed for incredible moments like this—and it's one that, for many, will stand the test of time.

Note: Two writers placed this moment in their top twos of 2016, including one placing it at No. 1.

No. 3: Daniel Bryan's Retirement Speech (Feb. 8, Raw)

So far, this list has been comprised of moments which, for the most part, have brought plenty of enjoyment to WWE fans. This is where things take a turn for the emotional, however.

For weeks, speculation had rumbled online about whether, following a number of serious injuries, Daniel Bryan would have to call time on his in-ring career.

And on the Feb. 8 edition of Raw, those rumors became an emotional reality, as Bryan retired in front of an incredible crowd cheering his name.

The emotion in Bryan's voice from almost the first words he spoke were there for all to see. There were people in the crowd in tears as Bryan told the story of how he suffered three concussions in the first five months of his wrestling career, followed by more concussions in the years since.

It was a rare moment that felt real. So much of WWE is artificial and scripted, but this was raw emotion from Bryan. 

Thankfully, WWE found a way for Bryan to remain involved in the company, making him general manager of SmackDown. But sadly, it'll never feel the same as watching him do what he did best—be a true master of the wrestling ring.

The "Thank you, Daniel" chants said it all.

Note: Three members of our team placed this moment in their top threes, including one placing it at No. 1.

No. 2: Shinsuke Nakamura Arrives in WWE (April 1, NXT TakeOver: Dallas)

It's around the time when WWE fans can look back and reflect on the true highlights of the year. Sure, there are no Slammy Awards planned for the company to award those involved in the biggest and best bits of WWE in 2016, but in terms of a Match of the Year candidate, this has to be somewhere near the top.

When William Regal announced on NXT that Sami Zayn would square off against Shinsuke Nakamura, fans rightly expected a classic. Zayn and Nakamura didn't fail to disappoint.

Nakamura's debut was every inch as good as everyone expected. The stunning entrance music and the light show which accompanied his walk to the ring, with Zayn sitting in the corner, almost hypnotized. It was magical.

And that's before the bell even rang to allow Zayn and Nakamura to do what they do best—wrestle. It was 20 minutes of in-ring perfection—so much so that it felt like it eclipsed anything the company produced two nights later at WrestleMania 32.

Zayn has since gone to the main roster, while Nakamura has become a bona fide star in NXT. Did anyone think he'd disappoint? 

However, as good as this was, there's one moment which our team thought beat this and ranked as the most memorable of 2016.

Note: Each member of the team placed this moment in his top 10. Two put it in their top threes.

No. 1: AJ Styles Debuts in WWE (Jan. 24, Royal Rumble)

When you think of a Royal Rumble match—from any year in history—you ordinarily think of who won the match or the way it ended.

So powerful is the pull, popularity and reputation of AJ Styles, however, that the 2016 edition won't be remembered for Triple H eliminating Dean Ambrose last. It'll be remembered for the debut of The Phenomenal One.

It had been rumored that Styles could show up at the Rumble and make his debut, but even then, it was hard to imagine. This was one of TNA's top guys and a man who seemed unlikely ever to step foot in a WWE ring.

And even though the cameras were fixed on Roman Reigns' reaction when his music hit, the reaction from the crowd said it all. Styles put on a great showing in the match itself, which would be an indicator of what would follow over the next 12 months.

He's beaten John Cena over and over again, including cleanly at SummerSlam. He's established himself as not only the face of SmackDown, but also the company's most influential main eventer. 

And even as a heel, he remains unbelievably popular among WWE fans. It's been a hell of a year for Styles in 2016—expect 2017 to be even better. 

Notes: Five of our six writers had this moment in not just their top 10s, but also their top threes. Three of them placed it at No. 1.