Rivalries & Legendary Matches in 2018
The first half of 2018 was filled with title changes, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments. From shocking victories to legendary feuds, WWE delivered some of the best matches and storylines that shaped the road to WrestleMania and beyond. Let’s take a look at the key matches and rivalries that defined the first six months of 2018—without giving away the outcomes.
📅 January – Royal Rumble Kicks Off the Year 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Shinsuke Nakamura, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Finn Bálor, Randy Orton
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match – Asuka, Nikki Bella, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bayley
- Universal Championship Match – Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane
- WWE Championship Match – AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
A dream match was set in motion as one of WWE’s most charismatic stars triumphed in the Men’s Royal Rumble.
The women made history as the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble crowned a dominant force.
Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the Universal Title scene as Lesnar, Strowman, and Kane collided in a wild triple threat.
📅 February – Elimination Chamber: The Final Stop Before WrestleMania ⛓️
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Match – Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Finn Bálor, Elias, The Miz
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Match – Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville
- Ronda Rousey’s WWE Contract Signing
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The road to WrestleMania sharpened as one determined challenger outlasted six others in the brutal Elimination Chamber.
Alexa Bliss navigated mind games and alliances to remain on top in the women’s chamber match.
Ronda Rousey made an unforgettable first impression, shocking WWE officials and the WWE Universe during her contract signing.
📅 March – The Road to WrestleMania 🛣️
🔥 Key Matches & Segments:
- John Cena challenges The Undertaker
- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev
- The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor (WrestleMania Build-Up)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
As WrestleMania approached, the WWE landscape was filled with speculation and bold challenges.
John Cena sought a legendary opponent in an unconfirmed clash.
Shinsuke Nakamura continued building momentum ahead of a championship showdown.
The Intercontinental Title scene heated up with three elite competitors vying for supremacy.
📅 April – WrestleMania 34: The Showcase of the Immortals 🎇
🔥 Key Matches:
- Universal Championship Match – Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
- WWE Championship Match – AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
- Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
- Intercontinental Championship Match – The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The grandest stage featured dream matches and groundbreaking debuts.
One of WWE’s most polarizing champions faced off against the powerhouse challenger in a brutal title match.
The highly anticipated dream match between Styles and Nakamura turned volatile, as respect gave way to resentment.
Ronda Rousey stepped into the ring for the first time in front of a global audience—and did not disappoint.
📅 May – Backlash & New Contenders 💥
🔥 Key Matches:
- AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Championship – No Disqualification Match)
- Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
- Seth Rollins vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The WWE Title picture turned more chaotic, as two fierce rivals faced off with no rules and plenty of animosity.
Seth Rollins continued to cement his legacy with another high-level title defense.
Roman Reigns clashed with Samoa Joe in a battle of toughness and willpower.
📅 June – Money in the Bank: Future Champions Rise 📈
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Braun Strowman, Finn Bálor, The Miz, Rusev, Kevin Owens, Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe, Kofi Kingston
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Naomi, Ember Moon, Natalya, Lana
- Last Man Standing Match – WWE Championship – AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
In a night full of high-stakes opportunity, two ladder matches changed careers in an instant.
A familiar face cashed in their opportunity in dramatic fashion, shaking up the women’s title scene.
Meanwhile, a grueling Last Man Standing Match brought closure to a months-long championship rivalry.
🔥 2018 Summary – The First Half in Review
The first half of 2018 was defined by rivalries, surprise returns, and history-making moments.
- Royal Rumble winners setting the tone for WrestleMania 🏆
- A global star making an unforgettable in-ring debut 🔥
- Tensions rising in championship pictures across all brands 🎭
- Bold cash-ins and ladder match chaos at Money in the Bank 📈
As WWE moved into the second half of 2018, the stage was set for new champions to rise and rivalries to explode on the road to SummerSlam and beyond.
