The 13 Most Spine-Tingling Moments in WWE History

Spine-tingling moments in general are the times when the hairs stand up on your arms, the back of your neck or anywhere you have hair when something excites you so much, be it a returning superstar, an epic moment in wrestling history or a personal mark out moment.

It is a moment that gives one chills, for a good reason.

This article explores my personal list of spine-tingling moments that give me goosebumps every time I watch them. I hope this article is as exciting for you as it is for me.  

Every video (barring slide two) has been uploaded by me to ensure every moment is perfect.

Enjoy!

Alex Riley Beats Up The Miz

This is the most recent spine-tingling moment, and it’s simply because I didn’t expect it.

It was also the first real fight I’d seen on WWE television for years, filled with passion and anger as Riley beat up his mentor.

It’s when the crowd get behind this furious kid that is the real spine-tingler.

Chants of “Riley, Riley, Riley” could be heard all over the arena.

Triple H Interrupts The Undertaker

I marked out when The Undertaker returned, but I cheered even louder when Triple H interrupted him.

I didn't go quite as mad as the guy near the guard rail in the video...

Nevertheless, shivers ran down my spine.

What followed was one of the greatest staredowns I have ever seen.

Unforgiven 1998 Introduction

This introduction to an underrated pay-per-view is beaten only by the one in the next slide, but don’t click "next" yet.

The man quoting Dante’s work gives the promo so much depth and builds the main event of the Inferno match like no one else could.

It is the juxtaposition, though, between The Undertaker and Kane that really sends that all too familiar feeling through my body.

Now click "next."

King of the Ring 1998 Introduction

This introduction to the pay-per-view is absolutely excellent. The music changes perfectly when Mr. McMahon remarks that not even Stone Cold Steve Austin can change destiny.

The music alone makes the whole introduction scary, and it gives an exciting feel to the promo.

The bloke with the deep voice makes this promo more than anything else, though, as he quotes Bible verses.

Does anyone know who he is?

Also, Kane’s voice to music played in a minor key is truly one of the creepiest things ever—especially when he is expressing a will to set himself on fire.

Spine tingling indeed.

The Undertaker's Inferno Match Celebration

The Undertaker always does his sign thing when he wins a match, and it is always fairly cool as the lights in the arena go out and lightning usually strikes.

However, on this night, when The Phenom won an Inferno match against his brother Kane, he did this celebration in a ring surrounded by fire, and it was epic.

Just watching it now still gives me chills.

The Undertaker has never looked better than he does in this video. He also had his greatest theme ever and his greatest attire ever.

The commentary doesn’t hurt, either, only adding to the goosebumps.

Chris Jericho's Debut

Jericho interrupts The Rock! How dare he!

His whole entrance is awesome, and the fact that he rips on the Rock makes this scene that whole much better.

Reading Jericho’s personal thoughts in his book, A Lion’s Tale, really does add to this moment.

The Rock Wins the Royal Rumble

This was the first pay-per-view I ever watched, and I think this gives me goosebumps because I remember how elated I was that The Rock had won the Royal Rumble.

The moment his music hits, I look like I’ve just been electrified...wait a minute...

The Undertaker and Kane Extend a Brotherly Bond

When Kane decides to help his brother instead of assisting DX, their relationship became a little more complicated, as they then extended a brotherly bond from the stage to the ring.

As Jim Ross remarks, “Oh God, what a moment!”, it seems he is overcome with emotion, as was I when I first saw this. I am a sucker for enemies putting aside their differences to fight off bigger enemies.

Like in the television series Lost, when the Losties joined the Others to fight off the Freighter crew.

A little off topic, but it’s the only way I could describe it, and it was brilliant nonetheless.

Mankind Is Thrown off Hell in a Cell

Three things about this clip send chills through my spine. Two of which are quotes from Jim Ross.

"

“What’s gonna happen here? [...] They’re right above us folks and I don’t like it a damn bit!”

"

This quote, which pre-empts the fall off the cell, works amazingly to build up suspense.

I don’t think J.R knew the fall was coming, which is what makes this bit of commentary all the more special. His voice quickens as the two superstars on top of the cell prepare for the impending spectacle.

"

“Oh my God! Good God almighty! Good God almighty that killed him! (“Oh my God”(King)) As God is my witness, he is broken in half!”

"

We all know this quote, as it is probably the most famous quote in wrestling history.

It is just so perfect, and listening to it, coupled with the crash of the table, really does make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

The third and final chilling moment from this comes when the camera switches to the Undertaker after the fall.

He is completely in character, not looking shocked at all and the crowd level heightens.

That, paralleled with the concern of the commentators, just makes this whole segment one of the best in wrestling history.

Mankind Climbs Back Up the Cell

A lot of people focus on the two huge bumps Mankind took, but one of the best things about this match is when he climbs back up with a dislocated shoulder.

The crowd erupts, and again, with the unbelievable commentary from J.R, this is another spine-tingling moment.

I included Mankind being stretchered out, as it suggests the match is over, making Mankind’s recovery even more spine-tingling.

Mankind Is Chokeslammed Through the Cell

Jerry “The King” Lawler makes this section rather comedic with his shriek and then the comment; “That’s it; he’s dead.”

The bump alone makes this list and completes the trilogy of spine-tingling moments from this Hell in a Cell match.

Royal Rumble 2000: Triple H vs. Cactus Jack Promo

This is the second best promo in WWE history.

Beginning with the backstory of the McMahon-Helmsley era, it shows the demise of Mankind at the hands of The Game as he is beaten, humiliated and fired.

The first shivers start setting in when The Rock demands that Mick Foley is re-instated. The two warriors battle again, and Mankind is shown as a bloody mess after being hit by a ring bell.

Then it happens. Something that is always guaranteed to send shivers down my spine. It’s almost euphoric.

Mankind then metamorphasises (A real word? I don’t care at this point I’m on a roll) into Cactus Jack, someone we had not seen since 1998.

In reality, it was just Mick Foley taking a mask off. What really gives me shivers is Triple H’s face. His reaction definitely makes the moment—Mick Foley has said it himself.

His shocked face tells the whole story before Cactus gets the better of him.

Then the montages of the Death matches begin, building Cactus up into being some sort of mystical being that is a mile away from Mankind.

The dramatic music behind it caps this promo off (does anyone know what the piece is?), and if it weren’t for the one you are about to see, it would go down as the best of all time.

Bang! Bang!

No Way Out 2000: Triple H vs. Cactus Jack Promo

I don’t think this will ever be beaten in terms of raising every hair on my arms.

This is the best promo ever, and I urge you to watch it, as you will never see a better video package than this.

From the starting music, as Jim Ross describes the Hell in a Cell structure covered by the almost eerie sounds from the women singing, to the montage of devastating consequences the Hell in a Cell has.

For those wondering why people are so annoyed at the recent Hell in a Cell matches—this is why. There is no gritty factor, no way to make it look scary anymore.

This promo makes the Hell in a Cell mystifying in its strange beauty as it encloses two warriors. The music in the montage of Hell in a Cell clips is furthered by each bump being emphasised by the music.

It makes it seem like superstars—larger than life men fight in this structure, and anyone weaker than them would crumble and die.

Then it cuts to the feud between Triple H and Cactus Jack, cutting straight to the point, picking the best bits of each superstar’s promos leading up to the event.

The music quickens as the pace of the promo quickens, and it ends with “this is a war...a war...a war...” by Jim Ross. Epic to say the least.

Thank you very much for looking through this slideshow of my most spine-tingling moments.

I would love to hear about your spine-tingling moments to see how they compare to mine.

Please leave a comment in the section below and I will do my best to get back to you.

Thanks for reading.