The Biggest Jaw-Dropping Moments in Wrestling History

Bobby The Brain by Correspondent Written on June 04, 2009

Slide 1 of 12

Display_image

There have been many moments in the history of pro wrestling that have been surprising. There have been memorable moments. But none as shocking as the 10 biggest jaw dropping moments in wrestling history.

This list does not include high spots in matches or breaking news. It is moments that happened on television that were truly SHOCKING.

10. WWF buys WCW

Display_image

10. Vince McMahon purchases WCW.

I remember the weeks and months leading up to the final demise of WCW, and everything I read was that Eric Bischoff and his investors were in the final stages of purchasing WCW from Turner.

So much so that Bischoff was consulted on storylines and the direction of the company.

Eric Bischoff was on record saying he was sitting at the beach when he got a call from his lawyer in which he was told, "We're done."

Bischoff thought the purchase was complete, even he was shocked because out of nowhere, Vince McMahon and the WWE swooped in a bought WCW for pennies on the dollar.

What a way to end the Monday Night Wars. I still wish Bischoff would have bought WCW.

9. Eric Bischoff revealed as Raw GM

Display_image

9. Eric Bischoff revealed as Raw GM

Continuing with the theme, who would have thought with all the bad blood and the history between these two men that Eric Bischoff would show up on WWE television.

Bischoff would have never thought it was possible, of course McMahon would have always accepted it.

WWE didn't do a GREAT job at hiding the secret but it was still jaw dropping watching it happen.

8. Vince McMahon gets blown up

Display_image

8. Vince McMahon gets blown up

Wow, now that I write this, Vinnie Mac has been a part of some shocking moments. You knew while watching that something was bound to happen.

The camera following Vince out of the building was not normal. But nobody expected this.

This was supposed to be WWE's big storyline. They still haven't found a way to find a replacement. But the scene was so shocking local news picked up the story as legitimate news.

The scene left the Internet buzzing and it was something never seen before in wrestling.

7. Bret Hart wins first WWF title

Display_image

7. Bret Hart defeats Ric Flair for the WWF Championship

In the early 90's ANY title change was shocking and newsworthy, even if you expected it. But during this time mid-card wrestlers just didn't win world titles.

Today the Jeff Hardy's, Rey Mysterio's, CM Punk's are all given world title runs to pop the crowd but back then only a select few were groomed for the WWF title.

No one expected Bret Hart to win the title anytime soon. He was seen as a future star but when the news broke that Hart had won the title at a house show many expected he would lose it back before being seen on TV or recognized as the champion.

If there was Internet reporting back then I didn't see it, nor did many others, and hearing of this title switch was a truly shocking moment.

6. Ric Flair debuts on WWF TV with WCW title

Display_image

6. Ric Flair debuts on WWF TV with the WCW title

And Vince McMahon used to get mad when his wrestlers showed up on Nitro with their WWF titles? Karma!

In one of the most brilliant, yet shocking, moments in wrestling history, Ric Flair was introduced on WWF TV by Bobby Heenan as the real world's champion and carried out his WCW title belt.

This was a watered down smaller scale version of the Scott Hall/nWo "takeover" in which you were led to believe Ric Flair was still WCW champion and representing their organization in an attempt to take the WWF title from Hulk Hogan.

Of course, the match never happened and the ball was dropped, welcome to WWF booking.

It will still go down as genius and shocking!

5. Shawn Michaels attacks Marty Jannetty

Display_image

5. Shawn Michaels attacks Marty Jannetty on set of The Barber Shop

I never liked the Rockers, maybe that's why I never could stand Shawn Michaels. But when he threw Jannetty through that window on the set of Beefcake's Barbershop on Superstars, it was a jaw dropping moment.

Again, there was no internet rumors to let everyone know Michaels was going to be given a singles push.

Usually WWF didn't swerve much back then so when they seemingly made up from their argument everyone thought the Rockers were back.

I remember when heel turns were shocking, those days do not exist. Heenan also had a classic quote during this segment:
"Told ya! See one without the other isn't any good."

Then two seconds later, "I just knew he was gonna do that! He don't need Jannetty! I told you that off and on."

4. Andre the Giant attacks Hulk Hogan

Display_image

4. Andre the Giant attacks and challenges Hulk Hogan

In a time when these things were so rare, two friends became bitter enemies when Andre the Giant sold out to Bobby Heenan and challenged Hogan for the WWF title at WrestleMania III.

For years these two were close friends on WWF television so when Andre ripped the cross right off of Hogan's neck it was chilling and a moment that will be forever remembered in wrestling.

3. Vince McMahon screws Bret Hart

Display_image

3. The Montreal Screwjob

It was so shocking people to this day still talk about it. In the only "real" shocking moment to make the list Vince McMahon literally screwed Bret Hart out of the WWF title.

Known as the Montreal Incident, McMahon needed the title off Bret and didn't trust that Bret would show up on Raw the next night to relinquish his title so he decided to screw him out of it.

The Internet and wrestling world buzzed for YEARS after this event.

2. Scott Hall invades WCW

Display_image

2. Scott Hall declares war on WCW

When Scott Hall walked through the crowd and into the WCW ring on Nitro, everyone was shocked. He then declared war on WCW and warned us that more were coming.

There was so much buzz around this incident, was it real? Was WWF invading the WCW? If it was fake, what was going on?

This one moment in wrestling time changed it forever.

1. Hulk Hogan turns heel

Display_image

1. Hulk Hogan turns heel and joins the creates the nWo

I can remember being shocked when this happened. No one predicted this. Hulk Hogan, Americas hero had just turned heel.

There is almost no words that can describe that moment, but shocking!

(1)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

23 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

26,238
reads

23
comments

written on June 04, 2009 Opinion


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.