WWE's Top Tweets, Instagram Photos and Viral Videos for Week of April 27

As April came to a close, WWE's social media paid tribute to a coronation, the folks willing to put their pride on the line for a chance at squared-circle glory and a member of the wrestling family who died. Fans had reason to both laugh aloud and tear up.

Twitter brimmed with hat tips to the late Verne Gagne. YouTube was home to many a memorable audition video for Tough Enough. Instagram offered behind-the-scenes looks at the aftermath of King of the Ring and Extreme Rules.

The week offered the surprise return of the King of the Ring tournament. In an attempt to add to the WWE Network's subscriber totals, the company brought back the popular event. 

When the finals ended, Bad News Barrett claimed victory and, as a result, now has an excuse to don a cape and crown. WWE showed an intriguing view of him enjoying his new duds on Instagram:

Barrett's win is sure to propel him after spending so much of 2015 losing. Dean Ambrose knows just how he feels. At Extreme Rules, The Lunatic Fringe finally won a singles bout on pay-per-view, something he hadn't done since 2013.

His wild Chicago Street Fight against Luke Harper left quite the mess, as seen in this fun shot from WWE's Instagram account:

When WWE announced that Tough Enough would return to the airwaves, fans had visions of receiving the type of reaction that Ambrose does every night. They dreamed of doing as The Miz did and going from reality show to wrestling ring.

Seeing those dreamers pitch themselves to WWE has been a blast. Take "Supercop" Dick Justice, for example. His match with Cobra Commander is a must-watch because of its ridiculousness, not its quality: 

Another potential contestant sounds as if he's related to Santino Marella. The Hungarian Hammer has big aspirations to go along with his big muscles. 

His audition video is one of the most entertaining ones floating out there on the Internet right now:

The Hammer has a shot of making it. He's funny, has a good build and stands out. Devonte Thomas, on the other hand, is not going to catch WWE officials' eyes.

Still, his Tough Enough submission is highly entertaining. Just be ready for him to shake the camera. The clip gets a little too much Blair Witch Project for a moment or two:

Who knows, maybe one of these folks making their case to be on WWE's reality show will surprise us. Maybe one will make the long journey from the WWE Performance Center to NXT to Raw. Neville didn't make it to WWE by way of Tough Enough, but his path has been a long one. 

In just a few weeks on the main roster, though, he has made quite the impact. He made it to the finals of the King of the Ring tourney and delivered yet another quality bout. It's looking clearer that he's destined for stardom despite not fitting the WWE mold.

Triple H certainly noticed what Neville did on Tuesday night:

A world away, AJ Styles is killing it in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He has amassed a staggering collection of classics over there. WWE fans are left to wonder why Vince McMahon didn't sign The Phenomenal One.

Jim Ross' comment on whether the sports entertainment giant should welcome Styles is spot on:

During a week filled with big shows and ongoing rivalries, sad news crept into the escapist world that is WWE. As WWE announced on it official website, Hall of Famer Verne Gagne died at 89 years old.

Tributes to the promoter, wrestler and trainer flooded the web. Ric Flair's heartfelt tweet was among them:

Sean Waltman's words for Gagne sum up his place in the industry quite well:

Gagne leaves behind a legacy that includes the American Wrestling Association and all the memories that promotion created, a career filled with headlining bouts and his role in helping train and shape legends such as The Iron Sheik, Sgt. Slaughter, Ricky Steamboat and Flair. The wrestler's wrestler will be missed.

Rest in peace, champ.