I know we've already done the Slammys and all that, but seeing as it's the last day of what I considered to be a very good WWE year, I thought we should have a thread about the moments of this year that reminded you why, through its ups and downs, we all continue to watch the 'E.
This will be more or less in reverse order.
CM Punk Shoot Promo, Raw July 27, 2011
I figured they had something big planned when Punk was talking about doing an honest thing, and a shoot even crossed my mind as a possibility. But I didn't know how good it would be or how much it would change the company's direction over the summer, and the direction of Punk's career. I've always respected CM Punk's talent, but up until that point I probably wouldn't have listed him as one of my favorites. His work just didn't click with me quite as well as it did with others. But that night more than any other, I became a CM Punk fan for life. He said things that I never thought would be allowed to be said on WWE television, and it started the most entertaining and engaging storyline of the whole year.
The Rock Returns, Raw February 14, 2011
I remember jokingly sending a text that morning to a Rock fan I talk to frequently, saying that it was definitely going to be The Rock. I never thought that joke would actually become reality. His music hitting that night was the most excitement I've felt as a wrestling fan for a long time. Of course, he came out and cut a hilarious promo that reminded me why we all missed him so much in the first place. I thought the Fruity Pebbles thing was hilarious when I first heard it, and even though I was a huge Cole mark at the time watching him get owned was great. Rock coming back for a sustained run was a reminder that anything really can happen in the WWE, and while I do think some of his fanboys get annoying at times, he's still one of my favorites of all time. He reminded me of that with 20 or so minutes that will go down as one of the best returns ever.
Zack Ryder Wins United States Championship, TLC
Who doesn't love a hard worker? Ryder worked harder than anyone to get there, and I became more and more of a fan of his as time went on. Z! TLIS was one of the highlights of 2011 for me even though none of it was on screen. We got to see Ryder show so much personality, and his hard work every week finally paid off as the year was about to end. He had a really nice match with Ziggler, and even though it seemed kind of obvious that he would win, I still marked when he was announced as the NEW United States Champion. Then, watching him celebrate with his dad and Big O was the icing on the cake. He started the year with a fictional championship, and he ended it with a real one. Storybook.
The Undertaker Goes 19-0, WrestleMania XXVII
I know there are people here who can't get into a streak match because it's so damn predictable, and I understand that in a way, but I never fail to suspend my disbelief. That was again the case this year when he faced Triple H. I was so emotionally invested into that match. I thought they came up with great spots and Taker's refusal to die was such a great story. I thought it was over several times, with the third Pedigree and the Tombstone being absolutely incredible near falls. The Sledgehammer/Hell's Gate ending was absolutely brilliant and when I saw H tap, I could hardly contain myself. There's just something about The Undertaker at Mania that's magical. I know the likes of Coco will roll their eyes at that, but sorry, I believe the hype and I won't stop doing so until he retires.
Christian Wins World Heavyweight Championship, Extreme Rules
Going into this, I knew it was do or die for Christian. If he didn't win the title then, he was never going to. Therefore, I wanted him to win very badly because he was so deserving of it, and because I knew it would make for an amazing moment with him and Edge. I had a good feeling about it, too. That match, while not as good as the streak match, may have been just as emotionally draining. Every time Del Rio climbed the ladder, I panicked. I liked Del Rio at the time but damn it, HE COULD WAIT! I rooted so hard for Captain Charisma and I thought Edge coming out for the distraction was fantastic. Edge cheering his best friend on while he grabbed the symbol of ultimate success in this business was amazing, as was their embrace and celebration following the match.
Of course, I hated how they booked Christian after this and some of that stuff would be on a list of my least favorite moments of the year. But damn if that match wasn't the best underdog story since Jeff Hardy. And you know what? It doesn't matter that his reigns sucked. He held it. Twice. And that's something we should all be proud of.
The Rock Puts Boots to Asses / CM Punk Wins WWE Championship, Survivor Series
I don't know if anyone else will have either of these on a list of best moments, and that's fine, because I'm being completely biased here. I can safely say that Survivor Series 2011 was the greatest WWE show I've ever attended and one of the most fun nights of my life. Witnessing the return of The Rock to the ring was incredible. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that only about 20,000 people in the whole world can say that they were there for The Rock's first match in seven years, and I'm one of them. I knew I had to go because I might never have a chance to see Rocky live again, and he performed as well as anyone could have expected him to. His pops were deafening all night and I didn't even mind the fact that he made three current stars, including my favorite, look like chumps. On any other day I would have, but fuck it, it was the return of the god damn Rock.
His promo after the show is also something that stands out in my head. For those who haven't seen it, you can watch it by clicking the spoiler below. It was a moment between Rock and the Garden, no cameras, just the two sides expressing their gratitude for one another. It reminded me that even though Rock acts like a tough guy on TV and that's why everyone loves him, he's really a nice and humble guy at heart. And I think I like that side of him even more.
As for Punk, everyone about that night for him was great. His introduction from Fink was phenomenal, his pop was enormous, and I loved the match. Now, I missed Money in the Bank due to a vacation so I didn't get to experience that moment like the rest of you did, which is why it's not on this list. This was basically the Garden's Money in the Bank. When Punk made Del Rio tap out, the roof blew off the place. Seeing Punk hold up the title triumphantly, and then leap into the crowd in celebration while the entire Garden chanted his name was a moment that I will never forget as long as I live. I looked at it as a culmination of a roller coaster few months for him, and really the beginning of his run at the very top of the company. Hopefully they don't let these ratings declines slow his push, but whatever the case, that was a moment. The whole night was unforgettable and I really appreciate the fact that WWE never fails to deliver at the Garden. I can't wait for the next time they're there (I know they were a few days ago but I'll save my money for televised events).
I'm tired of typing, so what about the rest of you?
This will be more or less in reverse order.
CM Punk Shoot Promo, Raw July 27, 2011
I figured they had something big planned when Punk was talking about doing an honest thing, and a shoot even crossed my mind as a possibility. But I didn't know how good it would be or how much it would change the company's direction over the summer, and the direction of Punk's career. I've always respected CM Punk's talent, but up until that point I probably wouldn't have listed him as one of my favorites. His work just didn't click with me quite as well as it did with others. But that night more than any other, I became a CM Punk fan for life. He said things that I never thought would be allowed to be said on WWE television, and it started the most entertaining and engaging storyline of the whole year.
The Rock Returns, Raw February 14, 2011
I remember jokingly sending a text that morning to a Rock fan I talk to frequently, saying that it was definitely going to be The Rock. I never thought that joke would actually become reality. His music hitting that night was the most excitement I've felt as a wrestling fan for a long time. Of course, he came out and cut a hilarious promo that reminded me why we all missed him so much in the first place. I thought the Fruity Pebbles thing was hilarious when I first heard it, and even though I was a huge Cole mark at the time watching him get owned was great. Rock coming back for a sustained run was a reminder that anything really can happen in the WWE, and while I do think some of his fanboys get annoying at times, he's still one of my favorites of all time. He reminded me of that with 20 or so minutes that will go down as one of the best returns ever.
Zack Ryder Wins United States Championship, TLC
Who doesn't love a hard worker? Ryder worked harder than anyone to get there, and I became more and more of a fan of his as time went on. Z! TLIS was one of the highlights of 2011 for me even though none of it was on screen. We got to see Ryder show so much personality, and his hard work every week finally paid off as the year was about to end. He had a really nice match with Ziggler, and even though it seemed kind of obvious that he would win, I still marked when he was announced as the NEW United States Champion. Then, watching him celebrate with his dad and Big O was the icing on the cake. He started the year with a fictional championship, and he ended it with a real one. Storybook.
The Undertaker Goes 19-0, WrestleMania XXVII
I know there are people here who can't get into a streak match because it's so damn predictable, and I understand that in a way, but I never fail to suspend my disbelief. That was again the case this year when he faced Triple H. I was so emotionally invested into that match. I thought they came up with great spots and Taker's refusal to die was such a great story. I thought it was over several times, with the third Pedigree and the Tombstone being absolutely incredible near falls. The Sledgehammer/Hell's Gate ending was absolutely brilliant and when I saw H tap, I could hardly contain myself. There's just something about The Undertaker at Mania that's magical. I know the likes of Coco will roll their eyes at that, but sorry, I believe the hype and I won't stop doing so until he retires.
Christian Wins World Heavyweight Championship, Extreme Rules
Going into this, I knew it was do or die for Christian. If he didn't win the title then, he was never going to. Therefore, I wanted him to win very badly because he was so deserving of it, and because I knew it would make for an amazing moment with him and Edge. I had a good feeling about it, too. That match, while not as good as the streak match, may have been just as emotionally draining. Every time Del Rio climbed the ladder, I panicked. I liked Del Rio at the time but damn it, HE COULD WAIT! I rooted so hard for Captain Charisma and I thought Edge coming out for the distraction was fantastic. Edge cheering his best friend on while he grabbed the symbol of ultimate success in this business was amazing, as was their embrace and celebration following the match.
Of course, I hated how they booked Christian after this and some of that stuff would be on a list of my least favorite moments of the year. But damn if that match wasn't the best underdog story since Jeff Hardy. And you know what? It doesn't matter that his reigns sucked. He held it. Twice. And that's something we should all be proud of.
The Rock Puts Boots to Asses / CM Punk Wins WWE Championship, Survivor Series
I don't know if anyone else will have either of these on a list of best moments, and that's fine, because I'm being completely biased here. I can safely say that Survivor Series 2011 was the greatest WWE show I've ever attended and one of the most fun nights of my life. Witnessing the return of The Rock to the ring was incredible. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that only about 20,000 people in the whole world can say that they were there for The Rock's first match in seven years, and I'm one of them. I knew I had to go because I might never have a chance to see Rocky live again, and he performed as well as anyone could have expected him to. His pops were deafening all night and I didn't even mind the fact that he made three current stars, including my favorite, look like chumps. On any other day I would have, but fuck it, it was the return of the god damn Rock.
His promo after the show is also something that stands out in my head. For those who haven't seen it, you can watch it by clicking the spoiler below. It was a moment between Rock and the Garden, no cameras, just the two sides expressing their gratitude for one another. It reminded me that even though Rock acts like a tough guy on TV and that's why everyone loves him, he's really a nice and humble guy at heart. And I think I like that side of him even more.
[youtube]B7P2sWAuaJ4[/youtube]
As for Punk, everyone about that night for him was great. His introduction from Fink was phenomenal, his pop was enormous, and I loved the match. Now, I missed Money in the Bank due to a vacation so I didn't get to experience that moment like the rest of you did, which is why it's not on this list. This was basically the Garden's Money in the Bank. When Punk made Del Rio tap out, the roof blew off the place. Seeing Punk hold up the title triumphantly, and then leap into the crowd in celebration while the entire Garden chanted his name was a moment that I will never forget as long as I live. I looked at it as a culmination of a roller coaster few months for him, and really the beginning of his run at the very top of the company. Hopefully they don't let these ratings declines slow his push, but whatever the case, that was a moment. The whole night was unforgettable and I really appreciate the fact that WWE never fails to deliver at the Garden. I can't wait for the next time they're there (I know they were a few days ago but I'll save my money for televised events).
I'm tired of typing, so what about the rest of you?
