Did That Just Happpen? WWE 10 Most Shocking Moments of the Past Decade
Throughout the WWE history, the company has seen a slew of memorable moments and shocking finishes, that have caused fans to cheer in delight as well as boo in agony of seeing their favorite star hopes dashed.
The old saying that "Anything can happen in the World Wrestling Federation" has never rang more true then it has in the past decade. From the return of DX to Edge cashing in MITB briefcase, each moment solidify a place in annals of WWE history.
With any list, questions will form about why one moment made the list and why another moment did not. If you have any questions or feel I might have left some one out, let me know in the comment section.
If enough people agree with you, it might be comment's pick in my next slide.
The qualities I looked for in each moment are: uniqueness, an air unpredictability, execution of the moment by the stars involved, and lastly the impact it had on the WWE moving forward.
With that I give you "Did That Just Happen: WWE 10 Most Shocking Moments Of The Past Decade"
Missed The Cut: Launch Of The Psycho Era: Mickie James Grabs Trish For The Win
1 of 1211. Mickie James Grabs Trish for the Win
12. Carlito Wins the U.S Championship from John Cena in debut.
13. Shawn Michaels loses to Undertaker Wrestlemania 25
14. Mr. Kennedy loses MITB briefcase to Edge
15. Jeff Hardy ladder leg drop on Edge at MITB Wrestlemania 23
The moment that just missed the cut is the now infamous Trish vs Mickie James match at Wrestlemania 22, where Mickie James placed her hand(pun intended) in WWE history when she grabbed Trish's parts in the middle of the match. What followed was a celebrator cheer and taunt that will forever go down in Wrestlemania history as one of the more shocking moments.
Long Live The Psycho Diva
10. Miracle In Milan: The Rise Of Santino Marrella
2 of 12A man of many talents, Santino made his WWE debut with a certain flair and style few wrestlers seem to bring in today's WWE. Say what you want about him, Santino has created himself a very nice career since his first match.
The number one thing Santino Marella has going for him, is his ability to adapt to almost any given situation. Whether heel or face, Marella captivates and entertain like few in todays' wrestling world.
In short I seen Santino give more entertainment value in these ten minutes, then most so call main eventers in the WWE give in a full hour. There is a reason why in every arena he goes in, the "Santino" chants break out.
What made this moment special was the energy of the crowd in the match. With a little help, alright a lot of help from Bobby Lashley, Santino started his WWE career with Intercontinental Championship around his waist.
9. When It All Fell Down: Sheamus Rose To The Top
3 of 12In the weeks leading up to TLC pay per view table match between John Cena and Sheamus, no one considered Sheamus a serious threat to take Cena's title. In fact many believed that Sheamus was just a fill in or stop gap measure until the company reached the Royal Rumble.
Well one split second and a leap of faith by the WWE creative team changed all expectations and perceived notions heading into the event. A rookie of sorts, beat the the top guy in the company in a table match with the title on the line, launching himself into WWE history.
What turned out to be an instant classic, we saw first hand the controversy and unpredictability that having young superstars in the title picture could do for a brand and a company. In fact one could take it a stepped forward and say, that Sheamus reign as WWE Champion help start the WWE's youth movement that is being pursued by the company today.
Whether you love him or hate, there is no denying the impact Sheamus has imprinted on WWE.
8. Why Cant We Be Friends: HHH Turns On Shawn Michaels(2002)
4 of 12In 2002 the WWE universe were excited to see the return of HBK Shawn Michaels and Triple H reform DX. It was the first time that Shawn Michaels had a stable run in the company since his return from injury. During HBK absent, HHH had established himself as one of the top dogs in the WWE.
What came next was a quick shock to the WWE fans, when HHH from out of now where turned and hit Shawn Michaels with a Pedigree.
That Pedigree help continue a rivalary that saw the introduction of new superstars like Randy Orton and Batista, and the return of Ric Flair to the ring.
Triple H later formed Evolution with Flair and company, which saw the stable reached heights similar to DX of the mid to late 90s. Shawn Michaels went on to feud with Evolution and HHH throughout their time on RAW which saw Michaels face HHH in an Elimination Chamber match and at Wrestlemania with Chris Benoit.
7. ECW Star Gets To Shine: RVD Wins WWE Title at ECW One Night Stand
5 of 12"Did we just see what I thought we saw"
Yes Tazz, you did just see that.
What added to this moment was the fact that his victory and push came off the back of John Cena who many considered to be the WWE's golden boy. A wrestling legend gets his shot in the same building that saw the beginning and end to the company that he help built in ECW.
The crowd, the announcers, Paul Heyman; none could believe that this was real. ECW got the best of the WWE and was holding their belt in the land of ECW.
Even if was for one night only, the atmosphere and energy in the building was large in quality to last a lifetime.
6. The Lethal Weapon Hits His Mark: Shane McMahon Falls From Grace
6 of 12Steve Blackman is perhaps one of the most underrated characters from the Attitude Era. He could compete in a variety of matches and usually gave at least one or two awe-inspiring moments. Whether it was a parking lot brawl with Ken Shamrock or a Hardcore match with the Hollys, Steve Blackman brought his A game to the ring with him every week.
The same can be said for Shane O' Mac. Shane McMahon goes to levels in which few wrestlers tend to reach. He is willing to put his body of the line, for advancement of any storyline.
These two together produce one of the best feuds involving the Hardcore Championship along with one of the best matches in Summerslam history. In a match full of extreme moments, we see one example of what happens when two thrill seekers meet head on.
5. Return Of The King Trumped By The Return Of The Champ
7 of 12Royal Rumble season, signals the calling of champions. 2008 was no different, as superstars gather in Madison Square Garden, to take place in one of the WWE's biggest events of the year.
One superstar who was gaining momentum around this time, was none of then HHH. Every year it seems as if HHH makes his preparations for the road to Wrestlemania, and in 2008 "The King of Kings" positioned himself for another great run in the rumble.
However fate had different plans. In what turn out to be one of the biggest injury comebacks in recent WWE history, Cena plays spoilers and ruins HHH plans of stealing the show and headlining Wrestlemania.
4. Edge Spears Gold: The Beginning Of The Rated R Era
8 of 12Edge has spent most of his career waiting in line for a shot at glory. When he first got to the WWE, he was behind the likes of The Rock, HHH, Stone Cold, Kurt Angle, Undertaker, and the list goes on and on.
After these legends left, he was once again was placed behind the likes of Randy Orton, John Cena, JBL, and Batista.
When Edge won Money In The Bank Ladder Match in 2005, many felt it was his time to shine. He was primed to cash it in and become champion. However Edge had more sinister things in mind. After getting rid of his major rival on RAW, Matt Hardy, Edge crept into the shadows and waited for the ultimate opportunity to strike.
Keeping true to his nature, Edge decided to attack soon after the clock struck 12 for John Cena at New Year's Revolution in January 2006. John Cena went through a brutal Elimination Chamber match and barely had enough energy to withstand Edge.
As the saying goes, the rest was history. Edge begin his push to the main event and became the first of many MITB winners to cash in the briefcase and leave the arena as World Champion.
3. When Giants Collide With Gravity: Smackdown Ring Collapse
9 of 12What comes up must comes down, and in the case of Brock Lesnar and The Big Show it especially rings true.
In what was schedule as World Heavyweight Title match between the new comer and champion Lesnar and challenge Big Show, quickly became one of the most memorable moments in Smackdown history.
This moment also makes you question if The Big Show should every go on the top rope every again.
2. The Unification Of a Lifetime: Chris Jericho Wins The Big Won
10 of 12Chris Jericho is one of the most talented wrestlers to ever step foot in a ring. He has been a crowd favorite no matter what promotion he has been in and without a doubt is a future hall of famer.
Still back in 2001, many questioned if Chris Jericho could make it in the WWE, or rather would the WWE give Chris Jericho a chance to make it in the company.
Jericho got his chance of a lifetime at WWE's Vengeance PPV in 2001. A small four man tourney was created to crown the first ever WWF Undisputed Champion. The two belts on the line were WWF Championship and WCW World Heavyweight Title.
After defeating The Rock in first round, many felt that this was Jericho night to shine. However he had one last obstacle to surpass before he could be crowned Champion, and that obstalce was none other then Stone Cold Steve Austin himself.
With the help of McMahon and outside interference from a future WWE World Champion in the making, Jericho reached the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment and notched a feat that no one else in the business can claim.
1. The End Of Attitude: Stone Cold Turns Heel At Wrestlemania
11 of 12What turn out to be one of the biggest shockers in WWE history, Stone Cold turns heel in his main event match with The Rock and joins forces with none other then Vince McMahon.
There is no need to go through the history between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon. A major part of the Attitude Era was centered around this rivalry, and the flat out hatred they displayed to one another.
To See Austin join the dark side, spelled the end of the Attitude Era, and the start of the Power Trip-The Alliance Era. Wrestling as we knew it changed the night the "Rattlesnake went rogue, and we as wrestling fans still clamor for the excitement that the era projected.
Recap Gone Fishing
12 of 12
These are some of my favorite "Did that just happen" moments of the past decade. Now it is time to read some of yours. Remember the choice that is agreed upon the most will be the comment's pick in my next slide.
Let the great debate begin.
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