Rivalries & Legendary Matches in 2019
The first half of 2019 saw memorable championship victories, surprise returns, and unforgettable rivalries. From January to June, WWE delivered some of the best storylines that set the stage for the rest of the year. Let’s explore the key matches and rivalries that defined the first half of 2019—without revealing the outcomes.
📅 January – Royal Rumble Kicks Off the Year 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Andrade, Rey Mysterio
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match – Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax
- WWE Championship Match – Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles
- Universal Championship Match – Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Bálor
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The Royal Rumble featured shocking eliminations and dramatic final moments as superstars fought for their place at WrestleMania.
The women’s match added fuel to a historic journey that would shift the landscape of WWE’s women’s division.
Title matches further escalated tensions, as dominant champions were tested by determined challengers.
📅 February – Elimination Chamber: Road to WrestleMania ⛓️
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Match – Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Samoa Joe
- Women’s Tag Team Elimination Chamber Match – Sasha Banks & Bayley, Nia Jax & Tamina, The Riott Squad, The IIconics, Fire & Desire, Naomi & Carmella
- RAW Women’s Championship Match – Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Inside the chamber, an unlikely superstar captured the crowd’s hearts with a gutsy performance that sparked a global movement.
WWE history was made as new titles were crowned, signaling a new era for women’s wrestling.
Meanwhile, dominant champions continued their reigns—but cracks began to form ahead of WrestleMania.
📅 March – Fastlane & WrestleMania Build-Up 🛣️
🔥 Key Matches & Segments:
- The Shield’s Final Match – The Shield vs. Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley
- Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania Spot on the Line)
- Daniel Bryan vs. Kevin Owens vs. Mustafa Ali (WWE Championship Match)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
A returning superstar reunited with his brothers-in-arms for a final ride.
A rivalry over the WrestleMania spotlight reached a boiling point, fueled by ambition and controversy.
The WWE Title picture grew more unpredictable, as underdogs and former champions made their case.
📅 April – WrestleMania 35: The Grandest Stage 🎇
🔥 Key Matches:
- Winner-Takes-All Triple Threat Match – Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair
- WWE Championship Match – Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan
- Universal Championship Match – Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar
- Triple H vs. Batista (No Holds Barred Match)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
A history-making women’s main event stole the show in a clash of icons.
One veteran’s long journey finally reached its peak with a career-defining WrestleMania moment.
A rivalry built on years of tension culminated in a brutal brawl, while the Universal Championship opened the night with shock and awe.
📅 May – Money in the Bank & New Contenders 💥
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Brock Lesnar, Ali, Andrade, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, Finn Bálor, Randy Orton, Baron Corbin
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Bayley, Naomi, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, Ember Moon, Mandy Rose, Natalya
- Universal Championship Match – Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
- WWE Championship Match – Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The Money in the Bank Ladder Matches delivered chaos and unpredictability, with surprise entries and bold moves.
One superstar didn’t wait long to use their briefcase, reshaping the championship picture instantly.
Elsewhere, title matches between elite performers brought out the best in everyone—and planted the seeds for future rivalries.
📅 June – Stomping Grounds & Title Defenses ⚔️
🔥 Key Matches:
- WWE Championship Match – Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler (Steel Cage Match)
- Universal Championship Match – Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin
- RAW Women’s Championship Match – Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Steel and strategy shaped the WWE Title bout, as one champion faced a desperate challenger in a cage.
A special guest referee added a layer of drama to the Universal Championship match.
The RAW Women’s division stayed intense as a reigning champion fended off an ambitious contender.
🔥 2019 Summary – The First Half in Review
The first half of 2019 was defined by emotional victories, championship moments, and the rise of new stars.
- A historic WrestleMania moment for the women’s division 🏆
- An underdog’s journey igniting a movement and championship destiny 👑
- Rivalries fueled by respect, revenge, and redemption 🔥
- Surprises from Money in the Bank shaking up the future 🎭
As WWE moved into the second half of 2019, fans eagerly anticipated: Who would rise next? Who would fall? And how would the new champions respond to the growing pressure?
