Professional wrestlers put their bodies through unimaginable pain. From getting tossed around, landing badly on their heads and shoulders to going to extreme lengths during matches, the performers put their health and well being on the line to entertain the fans. Some of these instances are quickly forgotten, while a few others are etched in the memories of the fans for years.
From being put through wooden tables to being tangled in barbed wires, there have been numerous cringe worthy moments that have been replayed thousands of times over the years. With WWE being the global leader in sports entertainment, there has been a modicum of sensibility – while the superstars aren’t often put through flaming tables or get tangled in barbed wires, there have been instances when they’ve been put through glass!
Today, we take a look at five such instances, recollecting the most memorable moments in WWE history.
#5 Randy Orton sent crashing through a window
Randy Orton is one of the most successful superstars of this generation. The multiple time world champion climbed the ranks after getting kicked out of Evolution, and later started his own stable, consisting of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.
During this time, Orton got into a feud with Triple H, and started attacking members of his family, including Vince McMahon and Triple H’s wife, Stephanie McMahon.
An irate Triple H broke into Orton’s house during an episode of RAW, vandalizing his property. Triple H and Orton then traded blows, before Triple H sent Orton crashing through the window and onto the lawn!
The cops arrived in the nick of time to arrest Triple H, but “The Game” already proved his point. The two would feud until Orton dropped the WWE title to John Cena, and then got into a rivalry with Cody Rhodes and DiBiase Jr., thus turning face in the process.
#4 The Rock goes through a window after angering a giant
The late 90s was a phenomenal time to be a wrestling fan. From the Monday Night Wars to the rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in WWE, the wrestling fans were treated to some classic storylines and car crash television.
Two other performers started making their way up the ladder when Austin was at the helm – Triple H and The Rock.
Both the individuals were involved in some memorable matches – from their ladder match for the Intercontinental title to their encounters for the WWE Championship, Triple H and Rock had great chemistry.
When Triple H was the WWE Champion during the McMahon – Helmsley Era, The Rock started chasing the title, and that led to one particularly memorable segment, when The Big Show and The Rock collided backstage.
With Triple H and Stephanie McMahon watching, The Big Show tossed The Rock through a window, sending him crashing to the floor! Triple H and Stephanie couldn’t believe what just transpired, as The Big Show once again reminded everyone that you don’t mess with a giant.
#3 Shawn Michaels “loses his vision” after going head first through Jeritron 5000
Shawn Michaels is considered to be one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time, and a pioneer in the industry. After winning the world title on multiple occasions, Shawn wrestled his last match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania. One of the superstars that Shawn influenced was the former world champion, Chris Jericho.
Shawn and Jericho have put on some outstanding matches, including their WrestleMania match which is widely regarded as one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time. However, in 2008, Jericho turned on Shawn for his role in Ric Flair’s retirement. During one of the Highlight Reel segments, Jericho ripped into Shawn for faking injuries, and viciously attacked him.
Jericho threw Shawn face first into the Jeritron 5000, breaking the set in the process. This resulted in Shawn suffering from detached retina (kayfabe), and the two would go on to feud for the next few months, resulting in an outstanding ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
#2 Shane McMahon gets belly to belly suplexed through glass
Shane McMahon has been a part of several memorable moments. From jumping off scaffolding to throwing himself off the Hell In A Cell cage, Shane McMahon has earned a reputation for being a daredevil. One of the most memorable matches Shane has been a part of took place inside the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey.
Shane McMahon took on Kurt Angle, with Shane costing Angle his match against Edge earlier in the night, which was the finals of the King Of The Ring tournament. Both the superstars brought their A – Game, and left it all in the ring. The stipulation for the match favored Shane, with it being a street fight!
During the bout, both the superstars went up the ramp, where Kurt went for a belly to belly suplex near the KOTR set. Apparently, WWE got the wrong type of glass, with them getting plexiglass instead of sugar glass! Kurt had to slam Shane into the glass multiple times for it to break, with Kurt putting Shane through the glass not once, but twice!
#1 Marty Jannetty goes head first through the Barber Shop window pane
One of the greatest moments in the history of professional wrestling transpired during the Barber Shop segment. Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels formed The Rockers, and wrestled in different promotions together, earning rave reviews. However, in 1991, discontent crept into the tag team with Jannetty accidentally kicking Shawn in the face during their Survivor Series match.
Shawn started yelling at Marty, and to settle their dispute, Brutus Beefcake invited both the stars on his “The Barbershop” segment.
Marty apologized to Shawn, and then turned his back, telling Michaels to hit him if he wanted to. However, Shawn pretended to have forgiven Marty, but dropped him with a Superkick instead. Michaels proceeded to put Marty head first through the plate window glass of the Barbershop set, thus starting his singles career.
If it weren’t for that iconic moment, we might’ve never seen the rise of the Heart Break Kid in WWE!
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