One of the most common accusations levelled against the WWE is that they don’t care about the opinion of the fans. They have their chosen ones who get pushed to the stars while the rest have to make do with their spot on the mid card or the undercard.
Think Roman Reigns’ never ending push, John Cena’s Super Cena phase where he defeated everyone, two part-timers contesting the WWE Universal Title at Wrestlemania 33. The list is endless. But, it would be unfair to say that the WWE never cares about fan opinion.
After all, there have been a number of moments in history where the WWE has proved that it very much cares about its fans. Bowing down to the overwhelming support for some superstars, Vince McMahon and his creative team have given the underdogs their day in the spotlight.
So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at these magical moments. Without any further ado, here are 5 times where the WWE proved they care about the fans:
#5 Zack Ryder wins Intercontinental Gold
Zack Ryder is a rarity. He is a self-made man in the world of professional wrestling. With absolutely zero backing from the creative department and the higher ups in the WWE, he got himself over with his endearing personality, YouTube presence, and never say die attitude.
It was his YouTube miniseries – Z! True Long Island Story – that gained him a cult-like following and the Ryder Revolution had reached a fever pitch by the time Wrestlemania 32 rolled around, and everyone wanted to see The Broski from Long Island rewarded for his tireless work.
Included in Wrestlemania 32’s Intercontinental Championship Ladder match, everyone hoped, but no one actually believed that Ryder would capture the gold. Until he did. Pushing The Miz off the ladder, he ascended to glory proving the fans do have the power to make someone’s Wrestlemania dream come true.
He would lose the title a day later, but let’s not talk about that right now.
#4 Finn Balor and Kevin Owens win the WWE Universal Championship
Finn Balor and Kevin Owens are indy wrestling darlings. They are much loved for their work outside the WWE in various wrestling promotions around the world. With the WWE’s track record of not giving indy talent a fair shot at making it to the top, people were a little afraid for the likes of Balor and Owens.
Except, the WWE decided to actually listen to fans and give these two indy wrestlers a legitimate shot. Firstly, The Demon King received a massive push on his main roster debut and went on to capture the WWE Universal Title against Seth Rollins at Summerslam.
When an injury forced him to vacate the title a day later on Raw, the WWE proved they care about the fans once again by giving the gold to KO and then letting him have a massive reign as champion.
#3 Dolph Ziggler cashes in Money in the Bank
Dolph Ziggler is that wrestler who has an incredible amount of talent but never seems to be able to make that final push to glory. But, all of that changed for one magical night back in 2013, Mr Ziggles ascended to the throne.
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The night after Wrestlemania 29, Ziggler cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against an injured Alberto del Rio. Initially, it looked like the WWE wasn’t going to let him have his moment yet again, but after a brief hiccup, The Showoff recovered to hit the Zig Zag and win The World Heavyweight Championship.
Looking at the insane pop he received for the victory, it’s easy to forget the Ziggler was supposed to be the heel in this scenario. Unfortunately, a concussion would ruin his reign as champion, and he has never replicated this success since.
#2 Daniel Bryan climbs to the top of the mountain
The WWE’s mistreatment of Daniel Bryan led to one of the most compelling pieces of WWE history. The Yes Movement saw the entire WWE Universe rally behind the former Ring of Honor star and allow him to ascend to immortality at Wrestlemania 30.
Having been treated to months and months of Bryan being screwed over by the higher ups in the company, the fans persisted in their love for the man formerly known as Bryan Danielson in the build up to the Wrestlemania where The Streak ended.
The overwhelming support he received made Vince McMahon change his mind and Daniel Bryan captured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in an epic moment against Batista and Randy Orton to allow Wrestlemania 30 to end on a high.
#1 Mankind wins his first WWF Championship
In one of the defining moments of the Attitude Era, Mankind – better known today as former Raw General Manager Mick Foley – won the WWF Championship against all the odds, because of how much the fans loved him.
Mrs Foley’s baby boy was given no hope in a No Disqualification Match on an episode of Monday Night Raw of all things, but he prevailed to one of the loudest pops heard in the history of professional wrestling.
With DX in his corner and The Corporation backing The Rock, that moment when Stone Cold Steve Austin makes an appearance and helps Foley win gold will be one of the most emotional moments in all of wrestling forever.
Mankind and The Rock would go on to have a great feud before reuniting as The Rock n Sock Connection.
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