The world of professional wrestling is filled with drama and emotions. WWE has created some really thrilling and exciting storylines in the past decades. There have been several emotional moments that have literally made fans cry. So Now let’s look at the list of the top 10 most emotional moments in WWE history.
10. Daniel Bryan winning at Wrestlemania 30
Daniel Bryan rose to popularity in the year 2013. Fans were going gaga over Bryan and his ‘Yes’ Chants. WWE fans had no desire to see anyone other than Bryan at the main event of Wrestlemania 30. But WWE management had some other things planned. There were rumors that the former members of the Evolution i.e Randy Orton, Triple H, and Batista were going to face each other at the main event of Wrestlemania.
But fans were adamant to see Daniel, in the main event of Wrestlemania of that year. WWE management listened to the fans and gave them what they wanted. Bryan fought the likes of Orton and Batista in a triple-threat match for the WWE titles. There seemed a genuine fear in the fans’ minds that Bryan might lose the match. But Bryan won the match to the joy of several thousands of people sitting in the arena.
9. Roman Reigns Revealing His Leukemia Disease
Roman Reigns is currently the top star and the face of the WWE company. Reigns throughout his singles career has been booed by the fans for his stale in-ring character. Fans despised Reigns in the year 2017 more because he was the person to retire Undertaker from WWE. But everything changed in an episode of RAW 2018.
For the first time in his career, Reigns revealed his real and revealed that he was fighting Leukemia in the early period of his life. Reigns then to everyone’s shock disclose that his leukemia disease is back. And due to that he can’t wrestle and have to relinquish the WWE Universal title.
Fans were in total disbelief as to what was happening before their eyes. Reigns then went on to share a moment with his Shield Brothers i.e. Ambrose and Rollins who were also in disbelief as to what transpired. Rollins and Reigns also shed tears while doing the group hug. This undoubtedly is one of the most emotional moments in WWE history.
8. Jerry Lawler Suffers a Heart Attack on Live Television
Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack on the September 12 edition of Monday Night Raw in 2012. WWE officials noticed that Lawler slept in between a match and was snoring on the mic. WWE medical team quickly reacted to the situation and took Lawler to the hospital.
Michael Cole who was acting as a heel during that period announce to the audience watching WWE television that Lawler had a heart attack and is undergoing medical treatment. Lawler fought through the disease and overcame it in the following months. Lawler returned to WWE television after 2 months to fans’ delight.
7. Undertaker’s Initial Retirement
Undertaker is undoubtedly the most respected and admired wrestler in WWE. Undertaker has nearly given three decades of his life to the WWE. One thing synonym with the Undertaker is the Undertaker’s Streak at Wrestlemania. Undertaker has remained undefeated in Wrestlemania for a good time. Until Brock Lesanr broke the Undertaker’s streak at Wrestlemania 31. Everyone was shocked are it was a common consensus among fans that Taker will definitely retrieve his streak.
A bigger shock or surprise came when Undertaker faced Roman Reigns in a No Holds Barred match at the main event of Wrestlemania 33. Everybody in the arena had a kind of idea that Undertaker’s peak days are gone and that he might lose to Roman at Wrestlemania. The same thing happened as Roman became the very second person to beat Undertaker at Wrestlemania.
But the main shocker of the night came when Taker broke character for the first time on WWE television and went on to drop his iconic coat. Taker then went on to keep his iconic hat, gloves, and coat in the ring, signaling his retirement that sent shockwaves around the arena. Fans were in disbelief as no one expected Taker to retire after this match. Fans were emotional as they thought that it was the last time they got to see Undertaker in the ring. But it was not the case as Taker then returned back at Wrestlemania 34 to mark his final run in the company.
6. Edge’s Retirement Speech
Edge is undoubtedly the most decorated superstar to ever lace a pair of shoes in the ring. But sadly due to multiple injuries and concussions, Edge had to retire from in-ring action. Edge on the April 11 edition of Monday Night Raw in 2011, Edge announced to the WWE Universe that he had to retire from in-ring action due to cervical spinal stenosis.
Everyone in the arena was shocked to hear the news as no one could have ever expected it coming. Edge in his emotional promo, went on to thank WWE fans, and his co-wrestlers for their support and love towards him. Thankfully this was not the end of Edge’s career in WWE as Edge went on to make his return in Royal Rumble 2020 as he was medically cleared to wrestle in the ring. But Edge’s retirement speech still remains to be one of the most emotional moments in WWE history.
5. Eddie Guerrero’s Tribute Show
Eddie Guerrero was a very beloved wrestler on the WWE roster. Guerrero had an immense WWE fanbase who loved his shenanigans and mischievousness. But sadly, Eddie Guerrero passed away on November 13, 2005, in his hotel room due to a heart attack. At the time of his untimely demise, Eddie was just 38 years old and still in the prime of his life, and had a lot to offer in the WWE ring.
WWE scheduled a Tribute Show for Eddie, which also included video packages of several superstars talking about Eddie. The event started with a three bell rings and then, Vince McMahon went on to address the WWE crowd about the incident. Wrestlers at the event performed to show their love for Eddie and his life. This was undoubtedly one of the most emotional moments in the history of WWE.
4. Shawn Michaels Retirement Match Against Undertaker
The Heart Break Kid had a very illustrious career filled with iconic moments and bouts. Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker dominated the WWE television tapings in the build of Wrestlemania 26. The stakes were higher than it ever could have been as Michales challenged Undertaker at Wrestlemania in a Career Vs Streak match. This was the first time such a stipulation was added in the Wrestlemania match.
This match had a ton of anticipation going into this match. WWE fans believed that Undertaker’s streak would finally get broken this time. But this was not the case, as both of them is seen as one of the best matches of their respective’s career. But Undertaker in the end to everyone’s surprise went on to pin Michaels for the win. Yes, Undertaker retired Shawn Michaels from WWE. Michaels and Taker shared a hug after the match, which clearly shows how emotional they both were.
3. RAW is Owen
Owen Hart died tragically on May 23, 1999, due to his safety harness failing during his entrance and resulting in his death. Jim Ross had to announce during the show that Hart’s accident was not part of the show and that he died due to trauma from his injuries. Owens was a very respectable figure in the Backstage and this incident sent shockwaves throughout the professional wrestling industry.
The night after Owen Hart’s death, Raw is Owen was held which started with a ten-bell salute to the superstar. Then a tribute to Owens started with several wrestlers talking about the likes of Owen Hart and his contribution to the squared circle. Owen Hart was a very inspiring figure and this tragic death of his had made it hard for the fans to believe it.
2. Ric Flair’s Retirement Match Against Shawn Michaels
Ric Flair is undoubtedly the most talented and charismatic wrestler to ever lace a pair of shoes in the WWE ring. Flair has wrestled in the time span of three decades winning several golds and championships on the way. But we all knew that sooner or later Ric had to retire from the ring. Ric Flair faced Shawn Michels in a career-threatening match at Wrestlemania 24.
The match was great with a lot of good spots. But the end of the match came when Michaels prepared for Sweet Chin Music and said ‘I am Sorry and I love You’ and hit him with the move. Michaels then went on to pin Flair and retire him in the process. Flair’s illustrious in-ring career finally came to an end this night. This shocked WWE fans and definitely is one of the most emotional moments of WWE.
1. SmacDown After 9/11
On September 11, 2001, the world trembled by the Twin Towers’ attack on the United States of America. A lot of innocent people lost their life due to this attack. This incident is also considered the darkest day in humanity’s history. Vince McMahon addressed the incident on the episode of SmackDown which obliterated the terrorist motivation and said that America is stronger than it ever was.
Lillian Garcia sang the Star Spangled Banner to an amazing and emotional reaction from the crowd. Wrestlers along with the fans were saddened with tears rolling out of their eyes. Wrestlers were seen holding American flags and saluting it. It was one of the much-needed episodes from the WWE. As well as WWE delivered in giving much of the distraction from the incident. This moment would definitely go down as the most emotional moment in WWE history.
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