Well gang, we've done it. Another decade of wrestling has passed by us; the good, the bad and the parts that defy both and ultimately make you question your sanity, sending you spiraling into an existential nightmare. It truly is difficult trying make a Top 10 list of the most memorable moments in 2010s wrestling. For one, the depth of wrestling in the 2010s is practically immeasurable; from WWE/NXT to New Japan to AEW and every promotion under the sun, pro wrestling provided us with a cornucopia of memorable moments in a wide variety of venues. Adding onto that, it's almost impossible to make a list like this without being as broad as possible when it comes to defining a moment; some are truly singular while others are a collection of small moments entangled in a king rat of sorts. Nevertheless, I attempt to bring you a comprehensive list of the most memorable wrestling moments of the 2010s to the best of my abilities.
10. Okada And Omega Set A New Standard For Wrestling Rivalries
January 4, 2017. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and G1 Climax 26 winner Kenny Omega square off in the main event of New Japan's biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom. The two put on a 45-minute exhibition of masterclass wrestling, setting a high bar for others to follow. Little did we know this was merely the start of what would become a truly epic wrestling rivalry, and one that's among the best of the decade and arguably all-time. From there, we would have their 60-minute broadway at Dominion 6.11, their pulse-pounding clash at G1 Climax 27 then culminating in a 75-minute bout of epic proportions at Dominion 6.9 (sex joke), with Omega toppling Okada's historic reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
This whole rivalry played out as a Greek epic of sorts, with Okada playing the archetypal hero and Omega being his cunning nemesis, wearing him down just enough then waiting in the shadows and studying his weakened foe for a long stretch of time before finally delivering Okada his downfall. As far as wrestling rivalries of the 2010s go, this is on par with Flair/Steamboat or The Rock/Austin. It combined theatrical presentation with superb in-ring work and grandiose storytelling, altogether setting a precedent which few have lived up to this decade. Ask a wrestling fan who Omega or Okada is, and I guarantee you they're going to bring these matches, they're that big; they seemingly transcend New Japan and have earned a spot its own spot in the wrestling zeitgeist. It's a tale of two wrestling juggernauts giving everything they have and then some, and one that I'm eternally grateful for being able to watch it from beginning to end.
9. The Pipe Bomb
Despite its current place as meme fodder, one cannot deny the impact CM Punk's promo on the 6/27/11 episode of Raw had on wrestling as a whole for the 2010s. Shortly after costing John Cena a victory in a tables match against R-Truth, Punk sat at the entrance ramp and poured his heart out for almost 8 uninterrupted minutes, lambasting the company he works for and the fans who support it, as well as declaring his intention to leave WWE after taking the WWE Championship off Cena. This would spawn the Summer Of Punk, a tumultuous and controversial saga in which Punk secured himself a spot as a main event wrestler in WWE.
As far as the 2010s go, this promo set a precedent for blurring the lines between reality and kayfabe. You couldn't ask for better character building; it set Punk up as the free-thinking antihero, Cena as the do-gooder corporate shill and Vinny Mac and Co. rounding it out as the tyrannical oligarchy. It took the traditional theatrics of wrestling storytelling and added a heavy dose of realism few have followed since. While I'm not the biggest fan of Punk, it's undeniable how important this promo was not only to the landscape of WWE, but to the entire wrestling zeitgeist of the 2010s. Not only did it set up one of the most famous storylines in 2010s wrestling, it also set him up as one of the most important and influential wrestling figures of the decade. Love it or hate it, it pushed WWE into a new direction at least for a little while, injecting a harsh dose of reality into an otherwise tame PG product.
8. The Shield Saga
When Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns made their debut at Survivor Series 2012, nobody knew what to make of it. Their motives behind attacking Ryback in the main event were mysterious, and they left just as soon as they came. What nobody realized at the time is that these three men would almost be single-handedly responsible for determining the course behind WWE's most important storylines for the next 5-6 years in some way, shape or form. It was practically a perfect storm of styles: Ambrose the unbridled sociopath, Rollins the calculating tactician and Reigns the silent powerhouse.
As heels, they blazed a trail of destruction and layed waste to anyone who got in their way. As faces, they held their ground against the most dastardly villains in WWE, most notably the Wyatt Family. Either way, they were one of the most beloved acts in wrestling, and garnered reactions comparable to Daniel Bryan's 2013-14 run (which we'll talk about later). Along their way, they created several memorable moments: the debut, the Wyatt Family feud, the Rollins heel turn, etc. Aside from that, two of its members (Reigns and Rollins) would become two of the biggest stars in the company, with Ambrose popping in and out to fuel the drama of whatever story was being told amongst the three. Combine the debut, the run, the end and subsequent reunitions and you've got one of the most important stables of the decade not only in WWE, but wrestling as a whole.
7. Bullet Club Forms
Prince Devitt (now known as Finn Balor) had earned his keep and then some in New Japan as one of the company's top gaijin babyfaces, winning the Junior and Junior Tag titles on multiple occasions. But it was only a matter of time before the system broke him down and changed him. This is why at Invasion Attack 2013, Devitt turned on his then-tag team partner Ryusuke Taguchi and aligned himself with Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Karl Anderson to form what would be undoubtedly be one of the most influential groups of the decade if not all-time.
From there, the group made their disruptive message loud and clear, disrepecting the norms and traditions of puroresu and Japanese culture as a whole, shocking Japanese crowds while slowly attracting Western audiences to the product. Their rule-breaking persona was easy latch on to, and as such, the group gained a loyal and ever-growing following. Am I saying they were the main reason behind the upswing of Western attraction to NJPW? No, but it'd be foolish not to say they were a major part of it. Throughout the group's tenure, we've seen constant lineup changes, championship domination and endless merchandising success. Whether or not it was intentional, the group has echoed NWO both in success and influence, and it was one fateful decision by Devitt that started it all.
6. The Yes Movement
One man, saying one word consecutively while raising both index fingers to the air. Once the act of an arrogant heel with an inferiority complex, it rose up to become the triumphant call of one of wrestling's most over babyfaces of the decade. Prior to WWE, Bryan made a name for himself on the American independent scene (most notably Ring Of Honor), where people marveled at his breathtaking technical abilities. However, it wasn't until his foray into WWE where Bryan reached astronomical levels of stardom.
It was right around 2013 when this sudden surge happened. Bryan had already earned a considerable amount of success in WWE, securing reigns as United States, Tag Team (w/Kane) and World Heavyweight Champion. Despite this, Bryan was still shunned by the higher-ups at WWE, being called a "B+ Player" and having his size and appearance constantly chastised. This came to a head at SummerSlam 2013; after defeating John Cena to become the new WWE Champion, Bryan was attacked by special guest referee Triple H, allowing Randy Orton to cash in his Money In The Bank contract and setting up one of the most famous angles in wrestling, mixing reality with dramatics in the best way possible. The WWE brass didn't want him at the top, but Bryan didn't care. Through sheer determination, hard work and fan support, Bryan made it to the top when he tapped out Batista to close WrestleMania 30 as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Eclipsing the boundaries of wrestling and ultimately becoming a standard-bearing ethos for sticking to your guns despite your perceived shortcomings, the Yes Movement stands out as an enigma of professional wrestling, 2010s or otherwise.
5. NXT Starts A Revolution
Looking back on what NXT was at the beginning of the decade while seeing what is today, it's pretty safe to say the rise of Triple H's brainchild has been meteoric to say the least. Originally a silly game show where the top highlights include Eli Cottonwood waxing philosophical on mustaches and Titus O'Neil falling down, it's astronomical to think it even got anywhere close to its present-day position. Nevertheless, Haitch took the reigns of NXT in 2012 and spun it in a new direction, incorporating the roster of WWE's then-developmental brand FCW and putting a heavy focus on the in-ring abilities of the talent. Over the next two years, NXT would bring some of the biggest names on the indies, including Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Hideo Itami and the like. And as for the Women's Divison? Does the name Paige ring a bell? Or how about Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bayley and Charlotte? And it wouldn't stop there; as time went on, NXT would snowball into something much larger, incorporating more high-profile stars into its system, providing its audience with endless memorable moments and dream-match scenarios come to life.
NXT is important to the wrestling zeitgeist because it provided (and continues to provide) fans tired of main roster WWE's chicanery with a more flavorful alternative. For many, it truly is a comforting feeling watching it knowing they no longer have to put up with having their intelligence insulted and are instead consuming what they feel is the best pro wrestling on the planet with the greatest of ease. It's not so much a developmental system anymore as it is an entirely new brand for WWE, one that never stops picking up momentum and continuing to satisfy its fans.
4. The Genesis Of All Elite Wrestling
Following the massive success of their self-funded PPV All In, there was arguably no doubt in anyone's mind that the sky was the limit for The Elite. But where exactly would they go? Well, they answered that call and then some, partnering with sports executive and life-long wrestling fan Tony Khan to start their very own promotion, All Elite Wrestling. Shortly after each member (minus Marty Scurll) made their departures from ROH and New Japan, they really got the ball rolling, scooping up the hottest acts in independent wrestling, including PAC, Chris Jericho, SoCal Uncensored and Jon Moxley, among many others. And at their highly successful debut PPV Double Or Nothing, Cody made his company's intentions clear with one of swing of a sledgehammer: they were staking their claim as the penultimate alternative to the WWE monopoly. This was furthered with their TNT deal; rather than just rely on PPVs, fans could tune in to Dynamite every week at 8/7 C to watch everything AEW has to offer them. Moreover, it gave fans the choice between tuning into NXT every week on FOX, or stepping over to TNT and seeing what Cody, Kenny and The Bucks are throwing at you. Combine that with their dark show AEW Dark, which streams for free every week on YouTube, and it's a weekly one-two punch.
While the advantage tends to waver in and out in the Wednesday Night Wars, the sheer fact there's not only a non-WWE promotion with a major network, but also one that actively wants to compete with WWE and be the major-market alternative speaks volumes about what AEW has accomplished so far and hopes to accomplish in the future. It's definitely a work in progress, but as the old adage goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Combining sky-high aspirations with dirt-tough determination, AEW is undoubtedly one of the most influential pieces of 2010s wrestling lore.
3. Brock Lesnar's Reign Of Terror
When Goldberg ended Kevin Owens' 7-month long reign as WWE Universal Champion, fans were truly flabbergasted. What transpired next, though, was the start of something truly monumental: after their sub-5 minute bout at WrestleMania 33, Lesnar took the strap off Goldberg and began his first reign as Universal Champion, ruling the roost with a iron fist for over 500 days. It seemed like Lesnar's "Arrive. Defend Title. Leave." cycle was going to continue on for infinity until Roman Reigns took the belt off him at Summerslam 2018. This was short-lived, however, as Reigns was forced to vacate the title following a remission in his life-long battle with Leukemia. Lesnar took the belt back after defeating Braun Strowman at the 2018 Crown Jewel PPV, and the machine was up and running again for another 150+ days before dropping it to Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 35. Lesnar would win it once again after cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on Rollins before dropping it to him once again at SummerSlam 2019. After dipping out for a brief spell, Lesnar arrived on October 4th (2019) episode of Smackdown, squashing then-champion Kofi Kingston in mere seconds and ending his six month. With another world title around his waist, it appears as though the Lesnar Cycle has started up once again.
Arguably one of the most divisive world champions in wrestling in the 2010s as well as one of its most divisive figures, his was (and still is) a presence you either absolutely adore or vehemently despise. Some love to see show up, wreck shit and leave while others are sick of a seeing a world champion who works a part-time schedule and plays by their own rules. Regardless of reaction, the fact a singular entity can draw such a massive reaction simply by showing up in a wrestling ring whenever they feel like it speaks volumes about Lesnar's influence on not only WWE, but professional wrestling as a whole. There united fronts dedicated to supporting as well as opposing Lesnar's presence, and it's truly remarkable the passion both sides put in for their causes. Love it or hate it, Lesnar's motto is "Arrive. Collect Paycheck. Leave. Repeat," and he wouldn't have it any other way.
2. The Streak Is Over
Sammartino. The New Day. Okada. The Undertaker. The one thing these four names have in common is an impressive streak that either set or broke records. For the first three names, it was championship reigns. For Taker, it was his singles match win streak at WrestleMania. Starting with a squash to Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania 7, Taker would go on to compete at each subsequent Mania and emerge victorious in some capacity every time, with his opponents varying in degrees of difficulty. This would continue up until WrestleMania 30, where Brock Lesnar (long time, no see) would fell The Deadman and end his streak, leaving those in attendance in utter silence, shocked and unable to truly comprehend what they just witnessed.
Just like that, it was over. Wrestling's equivalent to DiMaggio or the Celtics ended before our very eyes, and we just didn't know how to react. For many wrestling fans, Undertaker was their introduction to the medium, and The Streak was the ultimate mark of prestige; it was something that ultimately had to end at some point, but it wasn't something we'd be ready for. Once a god of professional wrestling, Taker was reduced to a mortal man, while Lesnar cemented his status as a conqueror of legends and disruptor of wrestling folklore. The Streak was a Greek hero epic of sorts, with Taker's downfall being one for the ages, one that eclipses WWE and cements itself a place among all-time wrestling lore.
Honorable Mentions
The 2010s provided us with a cornucopia and historic moments in wrestling; some good, some bad, some too bizarre to quantify either way. As such, there were going to be several choices I left off my list for one reason or another. But that doesn't mean they don't deserve any amount of love or recognition. So here are five moments in 2010s wrestling that I consider historically significant, but just barely missed the cut.
The Rise Of The Independent Scene- For most of the 2000s, exposure to indy wrestling was very narrow, with ROH, PWG and Chikara ruling the roost. But with enough time and their predecessors' influence, the independent scene blew up in the 2010s thanks to promotions like EVOLVE, Game Changer Wrestling, BAR Wrestling, Wrestlecircus, Beyond Wrestling and the like. Not only that, but it also lit a fire under British professional wrestling's ass as PROGRESS and Revolution Pro Wrestling emerged, setting a high bar for others to follow. Independent wrestling is hotter than ever now, and it's likely to grow even more popular as we head into the 2020s.
KofiMania runs wild on WWE- Truly the epitome of hard work and dedication paying off, Kofi Kingston gritted his teeth and earned his keep in the WWE in both the midcard and tag team scene, impressing fans with breathtaking displays of athleticism evidenced by his performances in numerous Royal Rumbles and Money In The Bank ladder matches. Although support for a main event push was always there, the opportunities were scarce. But when 2019 rolled, Kingston took that ball and ran with it, putting outstanding displays in numerous matches before winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 and backing up the hype with an impressive 6-month reign. It was a long time coming in many fans' (as well as members of the WWE locker room) eyes, and for them, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Not only that, but the fact WWE were willing to not only put the world title on a black wrestler, but also have him win it at Mania and book him like a million bucks throughout a lengthy title run speaks volumes about how far the company has progressed in modern time.
#GiveDivasAChance- For pretty much the entirety of its existence, the Women's Division in WWE was treated as an afterthought, being the face of every bathroom break joke imaginable amongst the IWC. In 2014, fans were fed up and called for a change and WWE answered, bringing up The Four Horsewomen of NXT (sans Bayley) in what they would call a "Diva's Revolution." The events that transpired, however, was a clunky clash of stables with no one involved really getting a chance to develop as an individual character, and as such, the progression fizzled out, leaving behind the remnants of a well-meaning but poorly executed movement.
Impact Becomes Broken- For much of the 2010s, TNA/Impact was (and to some degree still is) the butt of every joke in the IWC. This was up until 2016 when Matt Hardy debuted his Broken gimmick. A seemingly incomprehensible character to describe, Broken Matt entertained many a fan with numerous entertaining promos and vignettes, leading to the wrestling-internet breaking Final Deletion match with brother Jeff, putting Impact into the forefront of mainstream wrestling discussion once again. As time progressed, the Broken Saga fleshed itself out even more, eclipsing Impact and becoming a crucial part of the 2010s wrestling zeitgeist.
It's A New Day, Yes It Is- For many, Demolition's reign as tag team champions was thought to be untouchable until Summerslam 2015 when the trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods regained belts they had previously lost earlier in the year and began an unprecedented run as tag team champions. The team balanced a excellent blend of mic, character and ring work throughout their 532 days as champions, being one of (and still continuing to be) one of the most over in WWE and professional wrestling as a whole, while also revitalizing interest in the tag team division, an otherworldly feat given the company's track record of tag team treatment.
1. The Women's Revolution Emerges
Honestly speaking, this could be a whole other article in of itself, so I'll try to contain myself for brevity's sake when writing about this. But I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about just how far women's wrestling has come in recent time. Looking at where it was at the start of the decade to where it is now, it truly is one of the most remarkable turnaround in professional wrestling history. To quote OSW Reviews, the fucking state of the women's division in 2010 was absolute shite. With most matches lasting shorter than the length of Paradise City and most title reigns ending as soon as they began, it was hard to care about the division because WWE didn't really give you a reason to care. And while TNA was doing their best with their revolutionary Knockouts division, as well as the promotions Shimmer, Sendai Girls and Ice Ribbon, they could only do so much with what little exposure they had. Meanwhile, there was a revolution starting across both the Atlantic and Pacific as the UK's Pro Wrestling: EVE and Japan's World Wonder Ring Stardom took the women's professional wrestling scene by storm, and over time introduced such talents as Kairi Sane (f.k.a Hojo), Io and Mio Shirai, Mayu Iwatani and Kagetsu, as well as Nikki Cross, Paige and Kay Lee Ray, among others.
And NXT was starting a mini-revolution of their own, showcasing the talents of Paige, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley, stringing together numerous unforgettable matches in the mid-2010s. Despite the shortcomings of The Divas' Revolution, it didn't derail the momentum The Four Horsewomen had, who continued to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings for women's wrestling in WWE. And outside of WWE, independent promotions like RiSE and SHINE began to emerge, building future stars of women's professional wrestling as well as carving a name out for themselves in the independent wrestling scene. Cut to 2017, and the Mae Young Classic is born. A single-elimination 32-woman tournament, this was WWE's further progression of the movement by showcasing a variety of female talent, some becoming WWE mainstays while other forged their own path elsewhere. And as for 2018, we bore witness to the first-ever women's Royal Rumble, WWE's first-ever all-women's PPV Evolution as well as the second Mae Young classic. And in Impact, a newly revamped Knockouts Division was taking shape as talents such as Allie, Rosemary, Laurel Van Ness (now Chelsea Green) and Tessa Blanchard were carving out a new direction for women's wrestling on their own and setting a high bar for others to follow.
Cut to 2019, and we see women headlining WrestleMania, Becky Lynch as the undisputed face of WWE, Stardom and other female wrestling promotions reaching astronomical levels of popularity and Tessa Blanchard setting a revolutionary bar for intergender wrestling, on pace to possibly becoming the first woman to ever hold the world championship for a major wrestling promotion come January 12 at Impact's Hard To Kill. If this segment seemed exhaustive and long-winded, it was done so on purpose. So much has been done for women's wrestling in the 2010s that's hard to contain in a few simple blurbs. Honestly speaking, women's wrestling in all of its capacities is hotter than ever right now, and you're a fool if you don't recognize that. Not only is the progression of women's wrestling the most memorable wrestling moment of the 2010s, it's arguably one of the most important moments all time in the entire professional wrestling landscape. A truly extraordinary movement whose legacy will only grow as time passes on. The sky's the limit, and from my vantage point, I fail to recognize any Icarus in sight.
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