Top 10 WWE Moments That Made You Cry
Who, us? No, we just have something in our eyes. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 WWE Moments That Made You Cry.
For this list, we'll be ranking the most emotional or tear-jerking moments from WWE programming. Professional wrestling and sports entertainment can be a weird and wacky world, but sometimes all it takes is a good story or a little bit of real life drama to turn on the water works.
#10: Benoit and Guerrero at WrestleMania XX
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Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero were two world-class wrestlers who led troubled and tragic lives. This makes their celebration at the end of WrestleMania XX all the more emotional in hindsight, especially given the fact that both men held championship gold on this night. Guerrero had beat Kurt Angle to retain the WWE Championship earlier on in the night, and made his way to the ring after Benoit beat Triple H and Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight title in a triple threat match. The obvious expressions of emotion on the men's faces said it all, as the lines between real life drama and professional wrestling storylines briefly crossed paths. Though Benoit’s actions force this moment to be remembered in a different light, at the time tears streamed throughout the arena.
#9: Christian Wins the World Heavyweight Championship
Christian always seemed to be a bridesmaid, but never a bride when it came to winning top level singles gold in the WWE. Sure, he was a tag team icon alongside his best friend Edge, but Christian's hunt for the World Heavyweight Championship always seemed to come up short. This all changed at "Extreme Rules" in 2011, as Christian beat Alberto Del Rio in an epic ladder match to finally win the big one. Sure, one could say that all this wouldn't have happened had Edge not assisted Christian with some outside interference, but re-watching the pair's in-ring celebration afterwards is still moving to watch so many years later.
#8: Edge Retires
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Speaking of Edge, the former member of The Brood was forced to retire only a month prior to Christian's win at Extreme Rules, a move which likely influenced the latter's positioning into the main event scene. Edge's retirement speech was profoundly moving stuff, as the Ultimate Opportunist revealed to a packed "RAW" crowd on April 11th, 2011 that severe neck injuries were putting him out of action. He was forced to give up the World Heavyweight title as a result of this retirement, which made this already sad situation all the more depressing, given Edge's intense connection with the fans.
#7: Shawn Michaels Takes a Bow
Shawn Michaels was the definitive professional wrestler for many fans of a certain age, an all time icon of the sport. That said, many were understandably crushed when Michaels announced his retirement after losing a "streak vs. career" match with The Undertaker at "WrestleMania XXVI." Michaels would officially address the WWE Universe the next night on "Monday Night Raw," delivering a tear-jerking speech which reminded everyone just how much the loved "The Heartbreak Kid." Sure, Michaels' bad boy behavior wasn't always admirable, but his wrestling skill and connection with the fans was virtually second to none. His retirement drove this point home, and the wrestling community collectively mourned his departure.
#6: Reunited, And It Feels So Good
"Macho Man" Randy Savage was a heel going into his "WrestleMania VII" retirement match against The Ultimate Warrior, but none of this seemed to matter after the referee counted to three, and the final bell rang. Savage's manager Sensational Sherri turned on the defeated "Macho Man," berating and attacking him in the ring. It was then when Savage's former companion Miss Elizabeth jumped the barricade from ringside, ousted Sherri and joined the "Macho Man" for an emotional reunion. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as the two embraced, and Savage held down the ring ropes for "The First Lady of Wrestling" to make her exit out of the ring.
#5: Brock Lesnar Beats the Streak
The Undertaker held a momentous undefeated streak at WWE's annual "WrestleMania" event, a run which began when Taker defeated Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka at "WrestleMania VII." Wrestling fans considered The Streak almost sacred with regards to The Undertaker's character, with few ever believing that it would actually come to an end. That's exactly what happened at "WrestleMania XXX," however, when Brock Lesnar became the first man in over 21 matches to conquer The Dead Man. Fans were understandably shocked and devastated when it happened, too, with many taking moments to process what they had just witnessed. To paraphrase WWE lead commentator Michael Cole, "The Streak...was over."
#4: The Yes Movement is Halted
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Daniel Bryan's wrestling career has seen some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There was the cathartic celebration which was Bryan's World Heavyweight title win at "WrestleMania XXX," but it wasn't long after this that Bryan came at the WWE Univers with a shocking revelation. Chronic injuries were forcing Bryan to retire, and he broke this news to his shocked home state audience. The outpouring of respect and emotion was palpable on that evening's "Monday Night Raw," as Bryan's speech to the crowd turned on the waterworks for nearly everyone involved. Although 2018 saw Bryan return to the squared circle, this moment nevertheless stands out as something truly powerful.
#3: Ric Flair's Farewell
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All wrestlers retire, but none have left a void in quite the same way as Ric Flair. The "Nature Boy" had been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the day before his WrestleMania 24 match against Shawn Michaels, a contest which put Flair's inimitable career on the line, at the grandest stage of them all. The bout boasted a picture-perfect finish, as Michaels mouthed, "I'm sorry, I love you," before putting Flair away with a superkick. The day after, "Monday Night Raw" capped it all off with an epically fitting send off for the man, bringing together allies and enemies alike to pay their respects.
#2: Eddie Guerrero Remembered
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The death of Eddie Guerrero was one which saw the entire wrestling industry come together in mourning for one of the industry's true giants. Both "Monday Night Raw" and "WWE Smackdown!" saw tribute episodes to "Latino Heat," whose family has been pro wrestling royalty for decades, with many superstars sharing their own personal memories about the man who touched so many throughout his career. Such was the level of impact Eddie and his larger-than-life personality had upon all of those who were lucky enough to be in his presence. Guerrero may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
#1: Connor the Crusher
We'd challenge just about anyone to keep it together after learning the story of Connor the Crusher, the recipient of WWE's very first "Warrior Award." Connor Michalek was a brave, little boy who had been fighting a battle against medulloblastoma years. He was also a huge Daniel Bryan fan, and was able to meet his idol when WWE first heard Michalek's story and contacted his parents. The video package detailing Michalek's brief but memorable interactions with WWE superstars is difficult to watch, given that Connor would eventually pass away from his disease in 2014, but the memory of his short but powerful life remains to inspire others in his wake.
