CM Punk, the Undertaker and the WWE 2014 Year in Review

It's been quite a 2014 for the folks over at Titan Towers. We have seen many great moments, huge blunders and controversial headlines from WWE over the past year.

It's hard to pinpoint what the most important story was in 2014 because there are so many to choose from.

The abrupt exits of CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio, launch of the WWE Network, end of The Undertaker's WrestleMania streak and several talented Superstars finally getting the push they deserve are just a few of the most memorable things from the past 12 months.

Sting's debut, Brock Lesnar's title win and Daniel Bryan's ascent to the top will definitely stick out to most fans.

With the new year fast approaching, it's time to look back and review the biggest stories, moments and Superstars of 2014. There's no particular order to the list since ranking these would be impossible.

The WWE Network

The WWE Network, a project that was in development for years before its launch, finally debuted in early 2014.

For the first time ever, fans could stream every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view along with countless hours of other WWE shows and original programming.

The subscriber numbers aren't what many had hoped they would be by now, but the amount of great original content produced for the network cannot be overlooked.

Many of the shows made specifically for the streaming service simply recycle old footage with some new narration and interviews, but the way WWE editors put everything together makes it very entertaining.

The recent interview with Vince McMahon, all the Ultimate Warrior content and Legends' House all created good buzz for the WWE Network, but the crown jewel has to be NXT.

The developmental brand often produces matches that are more entertaining that anything we see from the main roster. You get all of that for $9.99 per month.

The Streak Comes to an End

Few moments in wrestling history have been able to make an entire stadium full of fans go silent, but that is exactly what happened when Lesnar broke The Undertaker's undefeated streak, pinning The Phenom at WrestleMania 30.

Nobody saw it coming. Nobody actually thought Undertaker would lose to a guy who only makes a handful of appearances each year.

When the ref's hand hit the mat for a third time, the entire wrestling world stood still. A wrestler who was almost more legend than man had been defeated at an event he practically owned.

In that one moment, social media exploded with feelings of shock and sadness, wrestlers with the goal of ending The Streak had their hopes dashed, and a certain fan's reaction became the subject of countless memes.

The landscape of wrestling has changed so much to the point that you can't surprise fans too often. This is one time when WWE had everyone fooled and created a moment that will be remembered for decades.

Brock Lesnar: Part-Time Champion

Speaking of Lesnar, he accomplished two major goals in 2014. Not only did he end The Streak, but he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in one of the most decisive victories ever.

Lesnar didn't just defeat John Cena. He destroyed him. It was the most one-sided match Cena had ever been a part of, and it turned Lesnar from a beast into a monster.

However, WWE making the decision to put the belt on Lesnar ensured that there would be a few months where the title was nowhere to be seen.

Many fans have been openly critical of WWE for this move, but the upside is that every title match feels special. Up until Lesnar won the WWE WHC, there was a title defense at every PPV and occasionally on Raw.

All the prestige had been washed away, but you now have a champion who appears to be unbeatable, making the man who finally slays the beast in line for the biggest push of his life.

Dolph Ziggler's Rise to Prominence

Dolph Ziggler has always been on the cusp of a main event push, but something always seems to pull him back to the midcard scene.

The last few months have seen him have the greatest run of his career, and it looks like 2015 could be even better.

Not only did Ziggler win three Intercontinental Championships, but he was the sole survivor when Team Cena took Team Authority out of power.

He may have lost and regained the title a handful of times, but he had many more successful title defenses in the span of a few months than anyone since the Hardcore Championship was defended 24/7.

With Bryan on the shelf for most of the year, WWE needed a new hero that the people could get behind, and Ziggler fit the bill perfectly.

There's no telling what the future holds for him, but 2015 looks like it could be the year Ziggler finally gets taken seriously as a top star.

Daniel Bryan's Yes Movement

There are countless underdog stories in wrestling history featuring guys who don't "fit the mold" breaking through and becoming a top star.

Bryan's story in the first half of 2014 will be able to stand next to anyone else's journey as one of the most satisfying in WWE history.

He was kept down for months by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, authority figures who had labeled him as a "B+ player." It made the WWE Universe angry because it echoed what many people thought were the real opinions of management.

By mixing reality into the storyline, WWE created someone who every single wrestling fan could like. Bryan was never the best on the mic, but he felt real, and that is why he connects with fans on a personal level.

WrestleMania 30 was a turning point in Bryan's career. Not only did he defeat Triple H to earn his title shot, but he beat Randy Orton and Batista to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Tens of thousands of fans chanted "Yes" in unison as Bryan celebrated the most important victory in his career. There hadn't been as emotional a response from the crowd since Eddie Guerrero won the title.

His career hit a little bump in the road when he was forced to take time off to get surgery, but he still had one of the best years in 2014 out of anyone on the roster.

Alberto Del Rio and the Slap Heard Around the World

Above video contains NSFW language.

One of the more surprising stories of 2014 was the firing of Del Rio. The former champion had an altercation with a WWE employee and was subsequently released from his contract.

Del Rio was getting stale, but nobody expected him to leave WWE so soon, especially under these circumstances.

The upside is that Del Rio can now write his own ticket with just about any company in the world. He is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient wrestlers in the business, and WWE helped him gain more exposure as a top heel.

2015 will likely see Del Rio wrestle for several different companies. Hopefully, he finds one that is a good fit.

CM Punk's Year of Change

It's been quite a whirlwind year for CM Punk in both his personal and professional life. Let's start at the beginning.

Back in January, Punk walked out on WWE after becoming burnt out and feeling like he was never going to get the push he wanted.

It's been almost a year since Punk was in a WWE ring, but we can't go a week without reading his name in a headline.

Punk picked up a gig with Marvel Comics writing a Thor story, did some work for Nerdist Industries, married AJ Lee and signed a multifight deal with Ultimate Fighting Championship.

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who was in the wrestling news more than Punk in 2014, and his name has been thrown around even more since his interview with Colt Cabana and his media blitz following the UFC announcement.

It will be interesting to see where Punk's career goes in 2015, especially once he has a professional MMA fight under his belt.

Cody Rhodes Looks to the Stars

Cody Rhodes is one of those talents who has all the tools to be a top star, but for one reason or another, a main event push has never worked out.

Rhodes found new life in a tag team with his brother, Goldust. The two put on some great matches with The Shield, New Age Outlaws and several other teams.

Eventually, things began to shift, and they started racking up losses. Rhodes blamed himself, and he promised Goldust he would find him a worthy partner.

After many failed attempts to pair Goldust with someone new, Rhodes decided to take a different approach. He painted his face, picked up a shiny new jumpsuit and called himself Stardust.

This new character was as weird as they come, and that's while standing next to a guy like Goldust. This new gimmick proved once again that Rhodes can take anything he's given and make it work.

It's tough to say how long it will be before we see the Cody Rhodes we used to know, but until then, it should be a strange, fun ride with Stardust.

The Shield Breaks

The Shield burst onto the scene a little over two years ago and took WWE by storm. The three young guns targeted all the top stars in the company and systematically took them out.

After defeating Evolution, it seemed like there was nothing that could stop Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, but Triple H opened up the checkbook.

They say everybody has a price, and Rollins must have heard the magic number and decided it was worth more than the partnership he had with Rollins and Reigns.

The three-man wrecking crew had been broken up, and each member had to find a way to survive on his own. Rollins hitting Reigns with the steel chair was one of those moments nobody saw coming, and it turned him into one of the biggest heels in the company in a matter of seconds.

Each member of The Shield has gone on to have some great matches and decent success, but Rollins is the one who has really taken off.

As a heel, we have seen Rollins grow into one of the more consistent performers on the entire roster, both in the ring and on the mic. His matches are always exciting, and his promos always hit the mark. Few Superstars can make the same claim.

2014 was a great year for all three members of The Shield, and 2015 will likely be even better.

Bray Wyatt's Revolution

Bray Wyatt's evolution into the Superstar he is today has been one of the most satisfying journeys we have taken with a character in years.

In a world of many similar personalities, Wyatt stands out as the most unique. His promo work is some of the best in the business, but he can also have a great match with just about anyone.

The former Husky Harris has come a long way since his days on the original NXT, and the sky is the limit for what he can accomplish in the future.

The great thing about how WWE has used Wyatt is that he hasn't been overexposed. We don't see Wyatt every week, making his appearances carry more weight and feel more special.

When Wyatt and Bryan stole the show at the Royal Rumble back in January, we should have all taken it as a sign that he would be someone to watch in 2014.

The next year will be critical for Wyatt. He can either ascend to the top of the ladder and truly become one of the greatest heels of all time, or he can become repetitive and fall flat on his face.

NXT Is the Future

If you have the WWE Network and you're not watching NXT, you are making a big mistake. Not only is NXT showcasing several Superstars who will definitely go on to achieve greatness, but the show often has a more satisfying product than the main roster.

Watching NXT almost feels like watching WWE in the early '90s. There's only one hour each week and a two-hour special every three months.

With room for a meager five or six matches every week, nobody becomes stale. Even the most featured stars only have two or three matches each month.

With guys like Sami Zayn, Tyler Breeze and Adrian Neville leading the way, it's easy to see why the crowds get so excited at every taping.

More to the point, the women in NXT have been able to show up the Divas on the main roster on nearly a weekly basis. Charlotte, Bayley and Sasha Banks have been especially important to the success of the division.

Every NXT special has been better than the last, and if the trend continues through 2015, NXT might end up being the better overall product.

Kenta, Prince Devitt and Kevin Steen Come to WWE

Not only did the NXT roster have a great year in 2014, but it picked up some major acquisitions in the last six months that make the future look very bright.

Japanese Superstar Kenta, European Superstar Prince Devitt and Canadian Superstar Kevin Steen all made their debuts within the past three months, and each of these talents is special for a different reason.

Kenta, who now goes by Hideo Itami, is the inspiration behind Punk's GTS and Bryan's running knee. His technical and striking abilities are off the charts, but he can also fly off the top rope when the occasion calls for it.

Prince Devitt, who was renamed Finn Balor, is one of the most exciting talents to come out of Europe in a long time. The look he debuted at TakeOver: R Evolution is the kind of thing that made him so entertaining to watch before he got to WWE.

Finally, Kevin Steen, now called Kevin Owens, is someone who many thought would never be signed by WWE because of his look. Steen worked hard and proved everyone wrong by not only getting signed but being touted as a major get for the developmental system.

Each of these three men had a memorable debut, especially Owens, who turned on Zayn following Zayn's emotional championship celebration.

Hopefully, WWE doesn't wait too long to call up these three talented wrestlers, but it will be fun seeing how they evolve in NXT in 2015 until they do arrive on the main roster.

Damien Mizdow Deserves an Oscar

There was a point where it looked like Damien Sandow would be a future champion in WWE, but after failing to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase, all his momentum went out the window.

It took several months of embarrassing losses and bad storylines before Sandow finally found his calling as a stunt double.

Pairing him up with The Miz seemed weird at first, but Mizdow won everyone over with his hilarious antics while copying Miz's movements in the ring.

It was likely the crowd's response to Mizdow that led WWE to put the tag titles on them. Every time Mizdow appears, the crowd pops. Every time it looks like he is going to be tagged in, the crowd pops.

His willingness to do ridiculous things makes the character enjoyable without seeming too adolescent in its presentation. It's a tough line to walk between funny and cheesy, but Mizdow seems to be handling it just fine.

This kind of gimmick can't last forever, so 2015 is probably when Miz or Mizdow will turn on the other. We should all enjoy this while it lasts.

The Ultimate Warrior Makes Peace

2014 was a year filled with moments fans never thought they would see, and The Ultimate Warrior being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame was one of them.

Warrior was welcomed back by the WWE Universe with open arms. It seemed like after years of tension, Warrior had made peace with many people he had past issues with.

Sadly, Warrior passed away just a few days after being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The timing seemed like a cruel cosmic joke, but nobody focused on that. All anybody talked about was how good it was for Warrior to have that closure before he passed.

Like Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels, Warrior was one of those guys who inspired kids to pursue a career inside the ring.

Rest in peace, Warrior.

Batista, Bootista and Bluetista

When Batista returned at the beginning of 2014, he was met with a relatively warm reaction from the crowd. It didn't take long for those opinions to shift.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment the crowd turned against him, but it became clear that he wasn't going to be getting any love at the Royal Rumble.

Many expected Bryan to be a surprise entrant, but when Rey Mysterio entered at No. 30 and dashed those hopes, the arena began to echo the crowd's boos.

WWE had to go to plan B and make Batista a heel with Orton and Triple H. The level of support Bryan had forced WWE to put him in the main event of WrestleMania, stealing Batista's thunder in the process.

What nobody could have predicted was how well Batista's performance in The Guardians of the Galaxy would be received. The film's success has opened new doors that could lead to Batista never wrestling again.

Even if he does return, Marvel likes to have their talents sign multipicture deals, so he would end up having to leave again every time he had to film another movie.

Between the crowd's negative reaction and the massive success of Guardians, 2014 may just be the last time we see Batista in a WWE ring.

Paige Makes History

AJ may have won the Slammy for Diva of the Year, but Paige is the Diva who made the biggest impact in 2014.

Not only was she the first person to ever hold the NXT Women's Championship and the WWE Divas Championship at the same time, but she is part of a very exclusive club of wrestlers who won a title in their debut match.

Paige is very young, but she has the talent to become one of the greatest ever by the time she finally hangs up her boots.

She is a likable personality and has more wrestling ability than a large majority of the roster. After a lengthy feud with AJ, Paige was benched so Brie and Nikki Bella could be in the title picture, but she won't be sitting on the sidelines for long.

Expect big things from Paige in 2015, especially if she gets some more competent opponents.

Injuries Galore

2014 was a year of many memorable moments, but it was also a year filled with unfortunate injuries to numerous top stars.

Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Zack Ryder, Tamina and Corey Graves are just a few of the names who went down with different physical issues.

Graves was even forced to retire from active competition and take a spot at the announce table after a series of concussions made doctors weary of what would happen if he suffered another.

Bryan and Barrett's injures were especially sad because they came in the middle of championship pushes for each Superstar.

Let's hope 2015 is a year where everyone manages to stay healthy.

Sting Finally Makes It to a WWE Ring

For many years, WCW and WWE saw wrestlers jump ship from one company to the other whenever a better opportunity presented itself, but one man who always remained loyal to WCW was Sting.

Even after Ted Turner was forced to sell to his competition, Sting opted to help out an upstart promotion instead of going to the big leagues.

Once Sting signed a deal to appear in WWE 2K15, speculation began as to when he would actually show up in a WWE ring. Nobody knew what to expect from his debut, but all questions were answered at Survivor Series.

After helping Ziggler secure the victory that temporarily put The Authority out of power, Sting became the biggest story in all of wrestling.

It's hard to say what had more impact between Sting's debut and Undertaker being defeated at WrestleMania, but they will both go down as the moments that defined 2014.

The past year has been filled with a lot of big stories. What sticks out to you as the most important moment from 2014, and where do you see the company going in 2015?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.