2023 has been one of the best years in the history of WWE. During the year the company has broken records all over the world and has produced some of the best wrestling in decades.
During the year there have been some great moments, great matches, and more importantly, fantastic title changes. The company revolves around its champions, so these changes are always a highlight of the show.
While all title changes are going to get a pop from the crowd there are only a few that should be considered the best of the year. Below we will look at those title changes that set themselves apart from the rest as the best of the WWE year.
Rhea Ripley beats Charlotte Flair @ WrestleMania 39 – Night One (SmackDown Women’s Championship)
Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair had locked horns at WrestleMania previously, but it didn’t go as well as many had hoped. Thankfully they got a second shot at history and boy did they deliver. This was one of the best matches of either woman’s career.
They were the two biggest stars in the company, and they showed it by putting on a captivating match that kept the crowd hot throughout its 23-minute runtime.
Ripley going over Charlotte was a massive deal here. Charlotte was not one to lose often and her laying down for Rhea at WrestleMania was huge. It signified a shift in the women’s division. Rhea was now the top dog, and she has maintained that position ever since.
Logan Paul beats Rey Mysterio @ Crown Jewel (United States Championship)
Logan Paul and his One Lucky Punch have been great for WWE. He has brought a mainstream light to the company and is a celebrity who takes wrestling seriously. His matches were always great, but no one ever thought that the company would have enough faith to put a title around his waist until he went over Rey Mysterio.
It was a massive deal for Paul to win the United States Championship. There hasn’t been a time in company history when a celebrity was blessed enough to be given a run with a major championship. This shows the faith that the company has in Paul to carry the United States Championship with the reverence it deserves.
Lyra Valkyria beat Becky Lynch @ NXT Halloween Havoc (NXT Women’s Championship)
Becky Lynch winning the NXT Women’s Championship was out of left field. Lynch was a huge star on the main roster and many thought her time in NXT was going to be a one-off. To the surprise of many, she won the strap and had a nice little run with the championship.
Lynch being in NXT was a great way to shine a light on the women’s division, and Becky didn’t take very long to give back.
At Halloween Havoc, Lynch took on fan-favorite Lyra Valkyria in a fantastic match that was one of the best of the evening. It was a match that showed that Lyra was able to hang with the best in the company, well not only hang but overcome.
In what might have shocked many, Lyra Valkyria went over Big Time Becks, cementing herself as a star in the company. It was a career-defining moment for the young wrestler and could lead to bigger things.
Seth Rollins beat AJ Styles @ Night of Champions (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
Having Roman Reigns holding the only world championship was hurting Raw. As a member of SmackDown, he rarely appeared on the Monday show. It was a problem that was rectified by WWE when they announced a tournament would be held to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
The tournament final, between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins was exactly what one would expect from two of the best workers on the roster. It was a banger of a match that was crisp and kept everyone guessing who would walk away the inaugural champion.
In the end, Seth Rollins walked away the winner. It was the beginning of an historic reign that has continued to this day, and more than likely will until at least WrestleMania.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens beat The Usos @ WrestleMania 39 (WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships)
2023 was a banner year for the Tag Team Championships. For the first time, in a long time, they were treated with the reverence they deserve. Including having the honor of being featured in the main event of WrestleMania.
The Usos taking on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn culminated in a fantastic storyline. Zayn turning his back on The Bloodline to defend his long-time friend had every fan eating out of their hands. It was a great way to build towards their showdown in the main event of WrestleMania.
Naturally, the match was one of the best of the year. The drama built throughout the match to the eventual payoff when Owens and Zayn won. It produced a tremendous pop and a genuinely emotional moment in the ring.
Damian Priest and Finn Balor beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn @ Payback (WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships)
The tag match at WrestleManiawas a classic, emotional moment that will live in the memories of everyone. Then we had this match that was an absolute car crash of a match that involved a shocking title change.
The Steel City Streetfight was a fantastic tag bout. All four men were given plenty of time to take the fight to every corner of the arena. There were various weapons, awesome ring gear, and some great spots that kept the fans cheering the entire match.
Of course, Judgement Day was going to throw everything they had at Owens and Zayn, but there was always an inkling that the Canadian boys were going to overcome the odds. This is why it was a shock when Judgement Day came away the champs. It was one of the biggest shocks of the year.
Iyo Sky beat Bianca Belair @ SummerSlam (WWE Women’s Championship)
The Money in the Bank contract has always provided for some great moments. In the past few years, this has lessened slightly but WWE was able to create a great cash-in at SummerSlam.
Asuka, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte put on a great triple-threat match. It was engaging and put Belair as an absolute beast.
Her overcoming a mid-match injury was a great story, as was Charlotte’s need to win the championship at all costs. It was a great way to lay the match out and provide a good pop when Belair overcame the odds.
The match layout was also a great bait and switch that had no one thinking Iyo Sky would cash in. The crowd popped huge when she came running out and it showed how great a cash-in can be if done properly. It was easily the best cash-in of the past few years.
Ilja Dragunov beat Carmelo Hayes @ NXT No Mercy (NXT Championship)
The white and gold brand produced some of the best matches in WWE history. It was lost when NXT made its rebrand, but also something that returned in full force at NXT No Mercy.
Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes put on an absolute banger of a match. The physicality brought by Dragunov was his usual style, but it meshed incredibly well with the high-flying Hayes. They kept the pace up throughout the full 20 minutes and pulled off some spots that no one else in the company could have.
Ilja getting the victory was a defining moment. The man who made his name overseas had finally reached the apex. He was now an NXT Champion and judging from the crowd reaction it is only a matter of time before he appears on the main roster.
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