Your most heartbraking moment in WWE history.

[MMK]

I'm gonna pick a top 5. There have been so many wrestling tragedies, its hard to pick just one.

#5)THE VONERICH BROTHERS: Once upon a time, the Von Erich's were the biggest stars in wrestling but things went tragically wrong rather quickly. Out of FIVE brothers that wrestled, only ONE lived to see 35. David died in 1984 while Mike killed himself after getting a virus that ended his career. Kerry, a former World Champion, lost his foot in a motorcycle accident. He wrestled for a few more years but drug charges led him to kill himself. Youngest brother Chris killed himself because he felt he could never be as good as his brothers were. FOUR out of the FIVE brothers killed themselves. That's just too much tragedy for one family to have to face.

#4)The Death of Dino Bravo
Dying young may be a common occurence in wrestling, but the death of Dino Bravo is the only one that looks like an episode of The Sopranos. Its rumored that Dino was involved with organized crime in Montreal that dealt in illegal cigarettes. In March 1993, Dino was found dead in his apartment. He was shot SEVEN times and at least two were to the head. Since there was no signs of forced entry, its assumed he knew his killers.

#3)Bruiser Brody Stabbed to Death in Locker Room
In 1988, Bruiser Brody was stabbed to death in a locker room by Jose Gonzalez. An ambulance did not appear for 45 minutes after the stabbing. That delay allowed the murder weapon to be hidden. Despite several witnesses to the crime, Gonzalez was found not guilty. Brody's killer walked scott free.

#2)Benoit murder/suicide
This one is relatively fresh in peoples minds that it doesnt really require a history lesson. But just the fact that a wrestler who EVERYONE respected ended up killing his own son and wife is shocking beyond words. Whether it was due to concussions or something deeper, we may never know why Benoit did what he did.

1)The Fatal Accident of Owen Hart
I still remember where I was on this night. I always caught every ppv back then, but this was one I missed but late that night on the local news they announced his death and then I remembered that there had been a ppv that night. I can't put into words how shocked I was at the idea of a wrestler dying LIVE on ppv. The recklessness that led to Owen plummeting from the rafters onto a turnbuckle chest-first is as much maddening as it is heartbreaking. And the fact that the event went on and the fans in attendance did not find out what happened is just disturbing. I have mixed feelings on the tribute show the following night. It was incredibly sad, but I was also pissed off at Vince and WWF for even continuing with regular programming at all. The mixture of heartbreak and anger felt by many fans at the time makes this the saddest moment I've experienced in all my years watching wrestling.

notable mention to Darren Drozdov. An in ring accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. I didnt put his story on my top 5 seeing as how, unlike the other men on this list, he at least lived through his tragic situation. Thank goodness for that

 

[The Underking]

I have to say Chris Benoit. I was a wrestling fan from 1995-1996 of WWF but when my Mom so it taking a turn for the more mature audience she made me watch WCW. The first wrestler I saw was Chris Benoit and well a fell in love with the tough, merciless, pint sized bad ass. Not really that short but compared to most wrestlers he sort of is.

Anyways after Chris Benoit left to WWF I continued watching both until around 2003-4. It was when Benoit lost his title match against Brock Lesnar. I decided to just stop watching not even knowing he would win the title off of Triple freaking H at Wrestlemania 20 just months later. I then recaptured my love for wrestling around 2007 when I saw my two favorite wrestlers on the same show. That one was Smackdown and Benoit n' Taker.

Anyways when he suddenly died I was in shock. I had no idea what happened I thought it was a screw up that was supposed to be Mr. MacMahon (Limo Explosion Angle). I actually had a slight tears in my eyes as I had tickets to when WWE came to Puerto Rico and I was going to buy VIP so I could get his autograph hopefully. Anyways the Aftermath just left me in even more shock. It's one of those things that I wish would never have happened.

 

[Shouldabeenawrestler]

Waking up to find out Eddie Guerrero had died.
Watching Chris Benoits last match on ECW, looking forward to him becoming champion and then receiving the news of his death on the following Monday.


R.I.P. to you both.

 

[Dude_Love87]

For me, as it does for many, these heartbreaking moments sadly come when one of our hero's pass away. Owen Hart first and foremost, I've seen a lot of shoot interviews recently, and when someone talks about Owen, before or after the incident, he was a class act, and loved to pull a prank every chance he got. Like the above poster said, no known drug problem, what a shame!! Miss Elizabeth passing was heartbreaking to me, I know she had her issues with substance abuse, but watching her with the Mega Powers in the late 80's and early 90's, WM7, and even her wcw days put her in a special place in wrestling history, she was the "first lady" of wrestling. To me she just seemed like a sweet lady. In terms of wrestling, when Hogan went to NWO it completely shattered my life for awhile. When the NWO first came into play I couldn't stand them. Then as I grew older, I realized WCW was pathetic, and liked the idea of the invasion.

 

[pachargers]

I have a couple of heartbreaking moments.

1. Eddie's death: I remember that day waking up to hear 1 of my childhood icons died and it couldn't sit in with me. The tribute show was a great way to honor a legendary career.
VIVA LA RAZA 4EVER R.I.P

2. Chris Benoit's death: One of the best in the ring and no matter what happened and what he did to his family it was still a tragic moment.

3. Shawn Michaels retirement: We all knew it was going to happen but if he had to retire then by god put on one of your best matches on at Wrestlemania against the phenom. His farewell speech the next day made it so much better to end a phenomenal career.

4.Ric Flair's WWE retirement: No matter even though he is in the torturing hell known as TNA (my opinion don't rip on me) his retirement match against the showstopper HBK was heartbreaking the match in my opinion was great and when HBK said I'm sorry ... I Love You and you saw him crying and you saw Ric crying and telling him to do it and when he hit the sweet chin music i had tears from my eyes watching one of the best go down like that. The tribute show the next night at the end when everyone came out to thank him and when Taker came down and showed his respect that made me cry knowing he had an awesome career.

 

[DeathClutch]

Two moments in WWE history that hit me hard was Owen Hart dying and Chris Benoit's bullshits, they really hit me hard, thou I'd never met either personally just saw them wrestle at local house shows.

Wrestling wise I was gutted when Bret dropped the belt in overtime to Shawn, I generally thought Bret had been screwed and to not have gotten a rematch I was mega pissed but I was 11 back then.

 

[GameOver]

Actually i'd say the first for me was Macho Man losing at WrestleMania 7 and reuniting with Elizabeth, that brought me to tears for hours, not so much reuniting with Elizabeth but the fact he was supposedly retiring was the only crowning moment of an otherwise average WrestleMania too.

as far as deaths go 3 names.
Andre The Giants passing, i had dreams for a few weeks after.
Eddie Guerrero passing was mentioned on our local news b4 it was announced on WWE Programming and the following RAW was very emotional

Owen Hart's accident obviously, i don't know anyone who has a heart that wouldn't have been effected by that, the only time in WWF/E programming that a talent died during a broadcast and on a globally televised PPV no less.

 

[Hourani777]

Eddie Guerreros death......like most of you said this already but what also broke my heart was the fans. Go on YouTube and watch the tribute on raw there is one little kid balling his eyes out in his mums arms and it kept screen switching between wrestlers in tears to fans a dark and heartbreaking day for me

 

[Splinter48708]

Wow...Here's my take.

(1) Owen Hart's death. I still, to this day, bawl seeing the footage on YouTube where JR kept saying that something very bad had happened that was not part of a storyline or anything else. Then, the footage of a somber JR and King announcing that Owen didn't make it. Then, of course "Owen is RAW" seeing everyong...heels, faces and management all there to honor Owen. Seeing HHH breaking down in tears gets ya. Stone Cold's beer salute gets ya. Putting the WWF Title on an Owen shirt...What better RESPECT do you get.

(2) Outside the ring...Miss Elizabeth. I was crushed hearing that she had died suddenly. And, when I heard who was indirectly responsible...I HATED Lex Luger for years afterwards. A beautiful woman...dead cause that ^&()^((*%&*$$#&(^ beat her a week before! I finally forgave Lex, though, after hearing that he converted to being a Christian (and not the wrestler, either).

(2-Tie) Again, outside the ring...Macho Man Randy Savage. No one saw that coming. He was gifted as a wrestler and I know that despite the troubles in his personal life and marriage to Elizabeth, he always held a special place in his heart for her. My prayer is that they are together again.

(3) Eddie...Another guy who left too soon and has affected me as a person. I was thrilled when he defeated the personal issues that plagued his life and mourned when he passed on.

(4) Umaga...When I read on WZ that he had been taken to the hospital, I prayed that he would recover, but, in my heart, I knew that he was gone. What saddened me the most, though, was that VKM did not allow his death to be noted.

(4 -tie) Chris Benoit and Family. A Greek tragedy there. Guy kills his wife and children before turning the weapon on himself. And, because of what? His brain had been concussed into mush. God only knows what went through his mind as he was killing his family or beforehand. We'll never know what set him off. But, Benoit fans will remember him as a great wrestler and not the circumstances of his passing.

(5) Hulk Hogan's heel turn. This was the end of Hulkamania as we knew it. Seeing the beloved Hulk Hogan turning on the fans...his little Hulkamanics at "Bash at the Beach...broke my heart in a far different way then all the above. In an 8-9 minute stretch, Hulkster flipped everyone who were his fans the bird...only to get them back again when he became the "face" we love upon his return to the WWE. SOmehow, Hulk being a heel in TNA doesn't have that same punch.

(6) Ric Flair Tribute -- There were two. One happened in Charlotte where after the camera's were turned off, almost everyone in the locker room came out to their entrance themes and honored the Nature Boy. HHH going so far as to put his title belt on Flair's shoulder. But, that was enjoyable. Seeing his send-off after HBK was forced to Sweet Chin Music Natch was moving. Again, everone in the locker room came out...except Undertaker (He was held back until after the cameras were turned off).

 

[wrestling fan 666]

I'm gonna pick a top 5. There have been so many wrestling tragedies, its hard to pick just one.

#5)THE VONERICH BROTHERS: Once upon a time, the Von Erich's were the biggest stars in wrestling but things went tragically wrong rather quickly. Out of FIVE brothers that wrestled, only ONE lived to see 35. David died in 1984 while Mike killed himself after getting a virus that ended his career. Kerry, a former World Champion, lost his foot in a motorcycle accident. He wrestled for a few more years but drug charges led him to kill himself. Youngest brother Chris killed himself because he felt he could never be as good as his brothers were. FOUR out of the FIVE brothers killed themselves. That's just too much tragedy for one family to have to face.

#4)The Death of Dino Bravo
Dying young may be a common occurence in wrestling, but the death of Dino Bravo is the only one that looks like an episode of The Sopranos. Its rumored that Dino was involved with organized crime in Montreal that dealt in illegal cigarettes. In March 1993, Dino was found dead in his apartment. He was shot SEVEN times and at least two were to the head. Since there was no signs of forced entry, its assumed he knew his killers.

#3)Bruiser Brody Stabbed to Death in Locker Room
In 1988, Bruiser Brody was stabbed to death in a locker room by Jose Gonzalez. An ambulance did not appear for 45 minutes after the stabbing. That delay allowed the murder weapon to be hidden. Despite several witnesses to the crime, Gonzalez was found not guilty. Brody's killer walked scott free.

#2)Benoit murder/suicide
This one is relatively fresh in peoples minds that it doesnt really require a history lesson. But just the fact that a wrestler who EVERYONE respected ended up killing his own son and wife is shocking beyond words. Whether it was due to concussions or something deeper, we may never know why Benoit did what he did.

1)The Fatal Accident of Owen Hart
I still remember where I was on this night. I always caught every ppv back then, but this was one I missed but late that night on the local news they announced his death and then I remembered that there had been a ppv that night. I can't put into words how shocked I was at the idea of a wrestler dying LIVE on ppv. The recklessness that led to Owen plummeting from the rafters onto a turnbuckle chest-first is as much maddening as it is heartbreaking. And the fact that the event went on and the fans in attendance did not find out what happened is just disturbing. I have mixed feelings on the tribute show the following night. It was incredibly sad, but I was also pissed off at Vince and WWF for even continuing with regular programming at all. The mixture of heartbreak and anger felt by many fans at the time makes this the saddest moment I've experienced in all my years watching wrestling.

notable mention to Darren Drozdov. An in ring accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. I didn't put his story on my top 5 seeing as how, unlike the other men on this list, he at least lived through his tragic situation. Thank goodness for that

This was perfectly put. I would add the deaths of Gorilla Monsoon with Bobby Heenan trying to get through the show; deaths of Gino Hernandez, Terry Gordy, Road Warrior Hawk, Curt Hennig, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and Rick Rude. Wrestling lost so many people, you get to know and love the characters; but these people never coming back is heartbreaking.

People have posted career highlights and lows but never coming back through untimely deaths is the hardest thing to get through.

 

[TheCrusher]

Obviously the deaths mentioned are the most heartbreaking. As someone a little older than some here, I would add in Mr. Perfect, and one of my all-time favorites: Ravishing Rick Rude. Not taken in the prime of their careers, but still vital young men who should have had alot of life ahead of them.
I remember watching with a great deal of heartbreak as Andre the Giant became less and less able to get around. I knew that with that type of physical decline and his immense size, it might not be too long before we lost him. He was a true celebrity even outside of wrestling. Watching the last few matches he had still makes me sad, being able to see the beginning of the end.

 

[EastCoastFan]

I'm probably going to get some flak for this, but for me it was the Chris Benoit tribute episode.

In the two weeks leading up to it, RAw was centered around the infamous "Vince is dead" storyline. I know a lot of people thought it was tasteless, but it caught my curiosity and I wanted to see where it would go.

On that June night, I tuned in a little late and saw the 2004 Royal Rumble match playing and I wondered to myself "What's going on here?" Then it was shown on the screen that Benoit, his wife and his son were dead. I didn't know until after the show what really happened - I originally thought maybe there was a gas leak in the house or something like that.

Benoit never fit Vince's mold of what a "sports entertainer" should be, but he always had great matches and I liked him for that. He didn't try to coast on personality like Hulk Hogan did.

 

[mdj2010]

Obviously, the horrors of 9/11 were clear for all to see, but nothing brought home to me the reality of the effect upon individual American citiznes like that night on Smackdown. It was pure class to do what they did, the show goes on and the Americans proved why they are the greatest nation in the world. They showed the kind of stiff upper lip we British hold dear to our strength of character and wore their flags proudly across their chests. Given what had just happened it was heartbreaking, but above all else, a moment of treasuring the gifts of freedom and liberty, whatever your nationality.

 

[strasaphere]

I think mine had to of been back in 1999-2000 when SMH turned around to Test and said that she never loved him, and that she loved HHH, it was SO soap Oprah, but you should of seen Tests face, he actually sold something for once in his life, and it wasn't a wrestling move.


With all Sarcasm aside, it was actually really heartbreaking, because he really loved Steph. Sadtimes.

 

[hbkfromccs]

There's been plenty... Owen, Eddie, but for me it has to be when Shawn "lost his smile".... I was a kid and I remember just watching the video package with the song "Tell me a lie" would get me so sad!

 

[mrfantastic111]

Mine is when Edge announced his retirement on Raw. I've been a fan of Edge since I was a little kid, he was an idol of mine growing up. Seeing my childhood hero standing in the ring crying, knowing that the Rated-R Era was truly over... Brought tears to my eyes :-(

 

[mrfantastic111]

Another sad moment was seeing Ric Flair 'retire' from the WWE. Growing up I was never a huge fan of the Nature Boy, but after watching his match at WM24 against Shawn Michaels and seeing him and his family in tears really made everyone realise just how big this was. In the few years leading up to this, no one seemed to take advantage of his presence until he was about to leave.

I was pretty sad and I missed him... Until... He went to TNA. I was pretty pissed off when I found out he was wrestling Foley over in TNA. They gave the guy a huge goodbye/thank you saga and a final appearance showcasing with Shawn, and then Flair went and ruined it by having a totally nothing-special-match with Foley. Now when he ACTUALLY retires, it's not going to be special because we've already said our goodbyes.

Don't get me wrong, he's a grown man and he can do what he wants. I just think what he did by getting the fans and the business worked up for this HUUUUGE retirement, and then just sticking around at some other company was quite selfish and disrespectful to the fans and the business in general.

 

[JohnnyBlaze1986]

You guys are talking about the most heartbreaking moments in WWE history and NONE of you ever mentioned Earthquake putting out Hulk Hogan on the Brother Love Show?

SHAME on you guys!

I was four. I cried for days. I begged my mom to write a get well letter to him(since I couldn't do it myself). But, when he came back on that Saturday Night's Main Event, I was so happy! Even happier is when I actually got a RESPONSE back! It was a cookie cutter letter, but still at four, I didn't know better and I was still happy about it!

 

[Azogan v.2.0]

As many have said the deaths of Owen, Eddie and Beniot were very heartbreaking moments to any WWE fan, but when I saw this thread, I thought more so the last match that legit made me have a "heartbreaking" moment and I knew exactly what it was. The only match whose ending actually made me shed a tear or two. Hogan vs. The Rock WM18. I like many others was a huge Hulkamanic, when i was little, and even doe he returned NWO, if that Canada crowd didnt get you on Hogan's side that night, i dont know what would. It was surreal seeing Hogan Hulk Up and play to the crowd, and being i think 12 at the time, it was symbolic to a piece of my childhood, understandably now, Rock goes on to win, but i was legit heartbroken Hogan lost, to the point mom questioned why I was so mad. It's funny now, but this thread made me think about the one and only time a wrestling match made me cry, broke my heart, and entertained me like no other.

I will add Macho Man Randy Savage's tribute also

 

[LatinoHeat]

First real post here guys so here's hoping i'm forgiven for the odd mistake.

For me it has to be Eddie Guerrero's Death/Tribute Shows. So many posters in here have given reason that they grew up with a certain wrestler that passed away or retired hence why they feel sad. The same applies with Eddie, I can remember him from the early days in WCW and then when he came to WWE he began to really grow on me as I had always been a WWE fan more so than WCW so that is when I really saw Eddie coming alive. Through the drugs and various other problems alot of fans watched Eddie mature get his life back on track and finally reach the pinnacle by winning the WWE Championship. For me even that bought a tear into the eye. But logging onto WWE.com I remember seeing the headline about Eddie's death and my first thought was 'how far would they be willing to go for a storyline' but it then sunk in that they wouldnt post that up just for the storyline. Then came the tribute shows that followed and I remember the 10 bell salute coming on and by the 5th bell I was already in full crying mode and this continued on for the majority of the show. Smackdown was no easier to deal with but by that point I had begun to realise that Latino Heat had an amazing run and it's such a shame he was taken so early.

Honorable mention goes to Edge retirement because it was so unexpected and the emotion that was bought into that had me on the edge of my seat wishing he would pull a fast one and tell us he was kidding.

 

[Craig-O-Mac]

I'm not gonna choose a death or retirement or anything like that. My most heart-breaking moment in WWE history happened at Royal Rumble 1995. I was only 9 years old when it happened so I wasn't the cynic I am now obviously

Anyway I was allowed to stay up and watch the PPV, prob my first ever live event. I was so excited to see who drew No.1 and No.2 . My little heart skipped a beat when The British Bulldog (my favourite EVER back then) came out to join HBK in the ring to get the things under way. At the very end, we were left with the same two dudes who had started the thing. Well all know what happened next, Bulldog 'eliminated' Shawn Michaels and posed on the top turnbuckle while his music played. Oh I was popping crazy in the living room..... UNTIL Shawn came in and knocked Davey Boy to the outside. All of a sudden they were proclaiming Michaels the winner. They showed how only 1 foot had touched the floor and that HBK had never been eliminated.

SO WHY DID THEY PLAY BULLDOG'S F'N MUSIC!!! So yeah, that's mine...

 

[Heartbreak_Kid_707]

I didnt read all the previous pages but i am sure the Owen Hart Memorial on Raw was mentioned alot, i even cried on that..

The Eddie Guerrero memorial as well...

and didnt they do a 9/11 memorial...it was pretty moving as well..probvabley the best one...

And i know the over seas ones seem lame but if you have afghanastan and iraq war soldiers in your family they are pretty moving..My uncle Seargant David Hall pulled 2 tours of duty in iraq...came back with some real awsome picssof Saddam Huessains house and golden toilet...

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Owen Hart's death.

I was young at the time, so young I actually didn't understand how he died. I was always allowed to watch PPVs because usually I would fall asleep before they started, but somehow I made it through Over The Edge, and I remember everything panning out to the crowd as Blue Blazer was to make his entrance, and then it went black, when they came back on it went to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, and they continued with the show.

When you realize at that age wrestling is actually fake, you lose interest in it somewhat, but luckily I didn't understand what had happened. Then I watched the RAW tribute show, and I realized he had died at Over The Edge. I was six, Owen died, wrestlers cried, Steve Austin dropped his beer in the ring for Owen and for awhile my heart dropped.

The one time I felt like that after, was when Eddie died, not even Benoit made me feel that poorly because it hadn't hit me when finally all the details came out about what happened so a brunt of the force wasnt there.

 

[worldchamp123]

had to be when owen hart died. even stone cold did a tribute for him by leaving a beer in the ring "for Owen..." you are mega cruel if you laugh or at least dont get choked up during at least one of the "(wrestler) remembers(whoever died)" videos. We worship you, Owen!

 

[CarlSinclair]

Jeff Hardy loosing in the last second of the scramble match.... really?... really? really? reaaaaally?

It depends on what you mean by Heartbreaking moment. Like sad for them because they lost or got screwed or sad/heartbreaking in general?

Storyline wise if its the latter then it has to be the moment Savage lost his career match against the Warrior. Sherri was beating him down and Elizabeth saved him. They hugged, the crowd cried and Savage turned face.

I am 30 and that still moves me. Even more now they are both dead.

Real life moment's included
-Jarrett crying his eyes out talking about Owen on the memorial show
-Eddies memorial show. I think seeing Big Show crying was the hardest.. .something about a giant crying I think.