WWE's wild returns, LA Knight's rise, Roman Reigns' dominance highlight big 2023

Leah Van Dale, a WWE star who goes by Carmella, walked the runway during Miami Swim Week while six months pregnant. The wrestler is expecting her first child with husband Matt Polinsky, also known as Corey Graves.

The pro wrestling world was on fire in 2023 with the top promotions all gaining significant traction, thanks to the top superstars who have carried the business for years.

WWE benefited greatly.

In one of the more surprising moments outside the ring, WWE and UFC merged to form a new company, TKO Group. It launched a new era for the company.

It was among the most notable WWE happenings in 2023. Let’s look back at some of the best moments of the year.

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Superstar Cody Rhodes arrives at the red carpet for the premiere of the Peacock original WWE documentary "American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes" July 18, 2023, in Sandy Springs, Ga. (WWE via Getty Images)

Cody Rhodes returned to a WWE ring for the first time since he tore a pectoral muscle and wrestled in a Hell in a Cell match against Seth Rollins in June 2022. Rhodes was the final entrant in the men’s Royal Rumble match and eliminated Gunther to earn a shot at the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship against Roman Reigns. From then on, he would focus on "finishing the story."

Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan began the match as the first and second competitors, respectively, and cleared everyone out of their way. It was down to those two and Asuka. After the Japanese superstar spit mist in Morgan’s face, Ripley eliminated her. Ripley then head scissored Morgan to the floor to win the match. She challenged Charlotte Flair for the title.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn wrestle The Usos for the Undisputed WWE tag team