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Thousands upon thousands of matches have occurred in WWE throughout history. Some have sometimes made us question why we watch and others have got us on the edge of our seat. There have been very few that have moved us and made us feel things we don't normally feel watching wrestling.
From seeing one of our favorite wrestlers perform in their last match, to seeing a superstar win a fully deserved championship. The emotions range, but that's what makes it all worth it being a fan.
That being said, let's take a look at the five most emotional matches in WWE.
#5. Eddie Guerrero defeats Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship
The impossible happened for Eddie Guerrero at the WWE No Way Out pay-per-view in 2004. Who could have imagined that 'Latino Heat' would finally make it to the top, defeating one of WWE's hand-crafted best?
Guerrero earned his opportunity by winning the first-ever 15-man Royal Rumble match on SmackDown. This gifted him the opportunity to face then-WWE Champion Brock Lesnar for the title. A sold-out crowd at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, witnessed history.
The stars aligned, as Eddie Guerrero lied, cheated and stole everyone's hearts. Thanks to the inteference from Goldberg and the referee being down. Eddie took his chance. He gave Brock a DDT onto the WWE Championship belt in the ring, before climbing to the top rope. He delivered a frog splash for the ages to capture world championship gold for the first time in his career.
The WWE Universe went crazy. Tears of joy spread throughout the Arena. It even brought WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to tears backstage. Bruce Prichard, speaking on his Something To Wrestle With podcast, reflected on the night:
"It was a standing ovation. There were hugs and tears all around. Vince was crying. He was very emotional because it was magical. Everyone believed there was a happy ending. Brock came back and it was one of the best matches he ever had in his life, he was so thankful. Every once in a while a good guy wins, and that’s what happened in this night," Bruce Prichard said. (h/t TalkSport)
Eddie Guerrero's earlier journey in WWE wasn't an easy one. He was ultimately let go in 2001 following a series of real-life incidents outside the ring. Eddie fought and clawed his way back, and his work and determination was rewarded at No Way Out in 2004.
#4. Roman Reigns defeats The Undertaker at WWE WrestleMania 33
It was the night we all thought The Undertaker's WWE career was done. Rumors swirled every WrestleMania season that it was going to be Taker's last hurrah. This one certainly felt like it really was.
The Undertaker went one-on-one with 'The Big Dog' of the WWE, Roman Reigns. Reigns was already in pole position to be the next big star. This night was going to cement him as just that. Reigns wanted everybody to know it was his yard now, and to prove it, he had to beat WrestleMania legend, The Undertaker.
After a 25 minute slugfest with everyone holding their breath, Roman Reigns claimed victory, celebrated and went on his way. Back in the ring, it was an emotional sight. 'The Deadman' struggled to pick himself up. He eventually did and took the main parts of his wrestling gear off and left them in the middle of the ring. It seemed like it was over.
The WWE Universe had a feeling as to what might have been coming. Emotions and tears were let out, as The Undertaker disappeared down into the entrance way. It was a teary farewell for 'The Phenom's' last WrestleMania main event.
#3. John Cena vs. CM Punk at WWE Money in the Bank 2011
Now we move on to this WWE classic that got everybody talking. Moving on from previous slides filled with tears of joy and sadness, this one brought out plenty of elation. It was a wild night in Chicago, as CM Punk challenged John Cena for the WWE Championship.
In the storyline, CM Punk's contract was due to expire. He vowed he would defeat John Cena and take the WWE Championship with him. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon wasn't going to let that happen, surely? Well, the night fell upon us as the hometown crowd began cheering for their hero.
Punk was given a hero's welcome as he made his entrance. Cena was treated like the pantomime villain. There was only one person the WWE Universe in attendance wanted to see win.
Even after interference from Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis, Punk clinched the win and sent the Chicago fans into ecstacy. He'd done it. He really took the WWE Championship with him and blew McMahon a kiss as he leaped over the barricade. What a moment. What a night.
#2. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels at WWE Survivor Series 1997
The craziest and most unscripted moment in WWE was witnessed at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in 1997. We've gone from tears of joy, to tears of sadness, to complete elation in the last few slides. Now, the emotions turn angry.
The back story was that Bret Hart was leaving the WWE to join their rivals WCW. At the time, Bret was WWE Champion and didn't really get along with Shawn Michaels in real life. Somewhere along the way, WWE officials began to distrust 'The Hitman' leading up to the event.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon devised a top secret plan that only a few knew about. Then, in the main event match between Hart and HBK, Vince pulled the trigger. As Bret was locked in the Sharpshooter, Vince at ringside immediately snapped for the timekeeper to ring the bell. The match was done. The referee and Shawn Michaels quickly escaped, leaving Bret reeling in the middle of the ring.
This moment brought out anger and shock amongst the WWE Universe. They couldn't quite believe what they were witnessing. Hart responded by spitting in McMahon's face and trashing the ringside area. It was a powerful, emotionally charged night that is still discussed to this very day and is famously known as the 'Montreal Screwjob'.
#1. Shawn Michaels retires Ric Flair at WWE WrestleMania 24
We don't see many retirement matches at WWE's premiere event of the year, WrestleMania. In 2008, Ric Flair was in a storyline where every match he competed in moving forward was now a 'Career Threatening Match'. This meant if Flair lost any of those matches he would have to retire.
Fast-forward to the WrestleMania 24 pay-per-view, 'The Nature Boy' had a bit of a winning streak on his side. He was challenged by Shawn Michaels who vowed it was time to take Flair out behind the barn and finish him off. The stage was set, and there was a feeling in the air that it was time up for the 16-time world champion.
Towards the end of the match, Flair was down and Michaels was setting up for his famous Sweet Chin Music. As an already teary Flair got to his feet, HBK said "I'm sorry, I love you." as he dealt the final blow and pinned 'The Nature Boy' 1, 2, 3.
His legendary career was over after multiple decades of performing at the top. Tears of sadness swept through the stadium in Orlando as the curtain came down on the WWE Hall of Famers career.
What is the most emotional match you've witnessed as a WWE fan? Let us know in the comments below
