When done right, professional wrestling can evoke extremely strong emotions. Whether it’s the happiness everyone felt when Daniel Bryan won at Wrestlemania 30, or the suspense as Mick Foley fell from the top of Hell in a Cell, WWE has made their fans feel every emotion imaginable.
I’m sorry, I love you
At Wrestlemania 24, Ric Flair faced Shawn Michaels in a singles match that will live on through the years. If Flair lost, his long and storied career would come to an end, and he would be forced to retire. Ric Flair was aging, and most fans believed that his more than 20-year career was coming to an end.
As ready as fans were for it, nothing could prepare them for the end of the match. An injured Ric Flair mustered the strength to stand up on his feet. Michaels was in the corner getting ready to hit Ric with his finisher–the Sweet Chin Music. Michaels suddenly realized that he was about to retire the 16-time World Champion. He hesitated, and gazed into Ric’s eyes. Flair was already crying, his eyes welled up with tears. Michaels clearly whispers, “I’m sorry. I love you.”
Michaels proceeded to hit Flair with a thunderous Superkick, then crawled into the cover. The ref counted to three, as HBK gave Flair a hug and kissed his head. Michaels immediately vacated the ring, allowing a crying Flair to share a moment with the fans. Flair stood in the ring, soaking up his last moments as an active wrestler. There wasn’t a single dry eye in the arena.
As if this wasn’t enough, Flair showed up on RAW the next night to say goodbye one more time. The locker room filed onto the entrance ramp and gave Flair a standing ovation. Ric left, and never wrestled for WWE again.
9/11 National Anthem
Just a mere two days after the attacks of 9/11, Vince McMahon made an executive decision to go ahead with an episode of Smackdown. This was the first public gathering of its size in the US since the attacks. A cautious, emotional, and patriotic crowd packed the arena, during a time when we weren’t sure if more attacks were to follow. Before the show started, ring announcer, Lillian Garcia sang the National Anthem. The entire locker room including wrestlers, referees, and executives, stood on the entrance ramp with their hands on their hearts. Fans waved American Flags, and many people shed tears. Mid anthem, Garcia began to cry, but she pulled through and finished the most heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem I’ve ever heard. The looks on the faces of these invincible tough guys gives me the chills. Everyone was terrified, but the show must go on
Daniel Bryan Retires
After a decorated, revolutionary, and successful career, one of the most beloved WWE superstars regretfully bid his farewell to the fans. On a Monday morning, Bryan tweeted that he was retiring, and later, he would elaborate on RAW. Fans braced themselves for an emotional moment, as Bryan loved wrestling more than anything in this world. After a few years of serious head and neck injuries, the day had finally come for the “YES man” to hang up his boots. Bryan entered the arena to thunderous ovation from the fans. Daniel explained why he was retiring and in a passionate speech, thanked everyone. Holding back his tears, Bryan ended his speech with the last arena-wide “Yes” chant. Everyone was chanting, “Yes!” The superstars filed onto the ramp, as Bryan was joined in the ring by his wife, Brie. The episode ended with the screen fading to black, with the entire stadium still chanting, YES. I’ve never cried like this from wrestling before, but I’ll admit I was openly weeping to be honest!
Randy Savage and Ms. Elizabeth Reunite
When the original wrestling couple went their separate ways in 1990, fans were devastated. A year later, by the time Wrestlemania 7 was over, Macho Man and Elizabeth had reunited to the joy of fans. Savage paraded Elizabeth around, and many fans cried tears of pure joy. The two would eventually marry at Summerslam that same year. It is the only wedding ceremony in WWE history that didn’t end in violence or breakup.
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Eddie Guerrero: RAW After Death
Without a doubt, this was one of the saddest wrestling moments of all time. Everyone’s best friend, Eddie Guerrero had passed away. The RAW after his death was dedicated to the former World Champion. Eddie embodied what a true superstar should be, and everyone in the wrestling community misses him every day.
At the beginning of the show, the wrestlers gathered for Eddie’s tribute video, which alone made fans cry. Then, WWE conducted a moment of silence for Eddie, and the Ten Bell Salute. Finally, they aired interviews with WWE superstars, including William Regal, Triple H, and John Cena, about what Eddie meant to them. The interview with Chavo, Eddie’s cousin, was emotionally wrenching. Finally, the interview with Eddie’s best friend, Chris Benoit, was so sad, many fans can’t watch it. Benoit sobbed loudly for Eddie and couldn’t even finish was he was saying. I don’t even like writing about it, as Eddie’s death was the beginning of the end for Chris.
The symbolism that night was off the charts. Besides superstars such as Kurt Angle and even JBL paying tribute to Eddie, WWE Champion John Cena laid his title belt across Eddie Guerrero’s T-Shirt in the middle of the ring, signifying an eternal champion.
Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit Share A Moment At Wrestlemania 20
Staying on the subject of Benoit and Guerrero, the picture above is possibly one of the most iconic pictures in the world of professional wrestling. Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit cried, hugged each other and shared a moment with their families in the ring after the main event of WM 20. Both men ended the night as World Champions, signifying a dream come true for two guys who shouldn’t have made it in the first place. I miss these two incredible performers so much. RIP to both.
Connor The Crusher Tribute Video
When Connor “The Crusher” Michalek passed away after a tough battle with cancer, the WWE Universe reeled in pain. WWE inducted Connor into the WWE HOF, and dedicated an episode of RAW to him. WWE also produced a tribute video in memory of him, showing him spending time with the superstars, wrestling Triple H, and meeting Daniel Bryan, a wish granted through Make A Wish. Like most fans, I fell in love with Connor, and was devastated to hear about his passing. Even WWE’s top heels such as Stephanie McMahon admit that “Connor just stole your heart. You couldn’t help but falling in love with him.”
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Owen Hart Death Announcement
Owen Hart had a special entrance planned for the PPV show that night. He was supposed to be lowered down from the rafters of the arena via harness. The harness accidentally released Owen. He fell 80 feet, hitting his chest on the turnbuckle and dying. Fans were left questioning if what they just saw was a work, or a real life accident. There is no video of the accident. Later that night, JR announced to fans that Owen had passed away in the hospital. The announcement left fans shocked, confused, and saddened. Controversially, the show continued, some fans, understandably disturbed.
Edge’s Surprise Retirement
Much like Daniel Bryan, Edge was forced to retire from the WWE, or potentially risk life as a paraplegic. Edge decided to retire, and vacated his World Title on RAW. Through a tearful goodbye, Edge shared the story of his life and career for the thankful fans. Before leaving, Edge posed on the ramp, and left through the curtain.
21-1: Wrestlemania 30- Brock Lesnar def. The Undertaker
For many fans, when Undertaker’s streak died, their childhoods died with it. The Undertaker was undefeated at Wrestlemania, and his streak was a massive 21 years in the making. It was as though Undertaker would never lose. Only a year after defeating CM Punk, Brock Lesnar challenged the Undertaker. In the most shocking pinfall in wrestling history, Brock Lesnar beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. The Beast fulfilled his promise by being the “1” behind 21-1. To see Undertaker’s legacy stripped from him, in a matter of three seconds, sucked the life out of many fans.
Honorable Mentions-
- HBK Retires
- Hulk Hogan Retires
- Wrestlemania 28: The End Of An Era
- Jerry Lawler Heart Attack
- Tommy Dreamer’s Dreams Come True
