Top Five Feel-Good Moments In Recent WWE History
The Instances That Made You Happy To Be A Wrestling Fan
Some moments in wrestling will transcend the business and make you feel good. They may bring a big smile to your face, or perhaps even a tear to your eye. Here are some of the best feel-good moments of the last twenty years.
Honorable Mention
HHH Returns at MSG - January 2002
HHH returned from a career-threatening quad injury to one of the loudest ovations ever in the hallowed Madison Square Garden. The fans show HHH their appreciation for his hard work, passion, and dedication over the years.
Rey Mysterio Wins The World Title - Wrestlemania XXII
Rey Mysterio, who was looked at early in his career as stictly a cruiserweight, finally got a chance to prove himself against the big boys and becomes the smallest World Champion in history. This was a great underdog story.
Ric Flair's Emotional Farewell - The Night After Wrestlemania XXIV
Flair had a great "retirement match" against Shawn Michaels the night before and this was his send-off. Many of his friends joined him in the ring and the whole locker room poured out to pay their respects to one of the greatest performers in wresting history. A very touching tribute.
The Top Five
5. Jeff Hardy Wins The WWE Title - Armaggedon 2008
Early in his career Jeff was strictly a tag team wrestler and many guys can never shake that stigma. As a tag wrestler, Jeff was one of the most exciting and innovating performers in the WWE. In his first couple years as a singles wresler he had moderate success. When the company finally gave him a big singles push, he became more popular than ever. After gaining a reputation for always coming up short, Jeff finally broke through and won the WWE Tilte at Armaggedon 2008. Jeff finally got his moment in the sun that had been a long time coming.
4. Chris Jericho Wins The Undisputed WWE Title - Vengeance 2001
Jericho had long been held down by politics in both WCW and in the WWE. Despite being one of the best and most popular performers in the company for a couple of years, he was mostly a mid-carder. At the time there was also a perceived glass ceiling that was hard to break through. On this night, he shattered it by defeating both the Rock and Steve Austin back to back, to become the first undisputed Champion in wrestling in about a half a century. This was a truly deserving honor for a guy who to this day many consider the best all-around performer in the business.
3. Mankind Wins The WWE Title - December 1998
Mankind had long been known as the "King of Hardcore." He had the reputation for being able to take more punishment than just about anyone in the business. However, he was viewed as more of a side-show freak than WWE Title contender. However in mid-1998, after his memorable Hell in a Cell with the Undertaker, his legend and popularity grew to the point that he was viewed as a legitimate contender. After coming up short several times, Mankind finally had his career-defining moment as he defeated the Rock for the WWE Title. This proved to everyone that you didn't have to have a great look or physique to be a WWE Champion, you just had to have a true passion for the business and a high threshold of pain.
2. Hulk Hogan Receives Huge Ovation - Wrestlmania XXVIII
Hogan made his return to the WWE in early 2002 after nearly a nine year absence. The crowd support he received this night in Toronto was electric. The feeling of nostalgia was in the air as the sight of Hogan at Wrestlemania brought many fans, especially those in their 20s, fond memories of their childhood and the man that first got them into wrestling in the first place. It was a fitting tribute to the man who brought the WWE into the mainstream and paved the way for all the great superstars of today.
1. The "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Elizabeth Reunite - WrestlemaniaVII
Randy Savage was a huge star in the late 80s and a trailblazer with his high-flying style. He went on to become WWE Champion all the while with the lovely Elizabeth by his side. She was dubbed "The first lady of the WWE." At one point, they had a falling out and Savage would take on the Sensational Sherri as his manager/valet. At Wrestlemania VII, Savage had a "retirement match" vs. Ultimate Warrior. The match was terrific but it was the post-match happenings that made it truly special. Savage lost and got attacked by Sherri after the match. Elizabeth, who was in the audience, ran into the ring and threw Sherri out. This was shocking as Elizabeth had rarely ever gotten involved physically in the past. After a few tense moments, the two embraced in one of the most touching moments ever seen in the WWE. After two years apart, Randy Savage and Elizabeth, the most famous couple in wrestling were once again reunited. This brought tears to most of the women (and some of the men) sitting ringside. A beautifully booked segment that allowed Savage to go out with a bang. He would un-retire later that year, but that's another story.
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