5 times Superstars lost the match but won the hearts in WWE

Like any other sports, WWE has a fan base across the globe. These fans often consider their favourite wrestlers as idols and get connected to them emotionally. When these wrestlers win, the fans celebrate and get loads of happiness. When they lose, the fans get equally saddened and eagerly await a change in fortune for their beloved Superstars.

Many times in WWE, it has happened that the least favourite or an unexpected wrestler, defeated someone who was more deserving than him. In such a scenario WWE has received lots of flak from the audiences. In this article, we shall look at five such instances where a wrestler who was dearer to the audience lost.

#5 Bret Hart - Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels

The infamous incident took place at Survivor Series 1997

When Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker, in the first ever Hell in a Cell match, he became the number one contender for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He was scheduled to face Bret Hart for the title at Survivor Series in 1997. This match went on to become the infamous Montreal Screw-job.

Both Michaels and Hart had onscreen as well as off-screen issues with one another. Also, Bret Hart signed a contract with WCW to leave WWF. Mr. McMahon didn't want Bret to leave the company along with the Championship.

Thus when Shawn Michaels locked Bret in the sharpshooter submission move, the referee upon Vince McMahon's insist deliberately rang the bell even though Bret Hart didn't tap. This caused Bret to forcefully lose the match and the title as well.

#4 The Undertaker - The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns

When it comes to WrestleMania, the Undertaker's track record is simply unparalleled. He has defeated some of the greatest wrestlers who have ever competed in WWE. However, there are only two wrestlers in 25 years who have been able to defeat him, one is Brock Lesnar and the other is Roman Reigns.

At WrestleMania 33, Roman Reigns faced The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred Match. The match lasted for nearly twenty-three minutes where both the wrestlers showed equal brutality. In the end, Reigns went on to defeat The Deadman and thus worsened the record to 23-2.

This was something the WWE universe never expected to happen. Roman Reigns received the loudest booing in his career. The fans couldn't stomach the fact that a legend of Undertaker's stature could lose to someone like Roman Reigns. Thus the Undertaker won love and affection of the people while Reigns received loads of flak from the WWE lovers.

#3 Jeff Hardy - Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk

Hardy left the WWE in 2009 after losing to CM Punk

Jeff Hardy and CM Punk had a bitter rivalry in 2009 when they both fought one another for the World Heavyweight Championship. It all started at Extreme Rules when CM Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on a vulnerable Jeff Hardy who had just retained the title by defeating Edge in a ladder match. Punk won the Championship from Hardy.

This led to the both feuding and fighting one another several time over the next few months for the title. While Jeff Hardy won the title once at Night of Champions, Punk won it back at SummerSlam. The duo met in a final encounter at SmackDown on 28 August to end the rivalry.

It was a steel cage match. CM Punk went on to win the match and this forced Hardy to leave WWE (as per the match stipulation). Though Punk retained the title by winning the match, he became a villain in the eyes of the WWE Universe.

Jeff Hardy though lost the match, he won the hearts of the people. He brought tears to the eyes of the WWE universe as they had to see their beloved Superstar leave the company.

#2 The Undertaker - The Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar

`For 21 years, The Undertaker remained undefeated at the WrestleMania. Wrestlers from various generations and with an unbelievable track record failed to defeat The Deadman' at the Grandest Stage of Them All. This continued for 21 years until Brock Lesnar faced The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30 in 2014.

Both the wrestlers beat the hell out of each other throughout the match. The match lasted over 25 minutes and was one of the greatest WrestleMania matches in the history of WWE. The audience rooted equally for both the competitors and the entire WWE universe was in a state of confusion as to whom they want to support.

In the end, beating all the odds, Lesnar created history when he became the first ever man on this planet to defeat the Undertaker at WrestleMania. The WWE fans couldn't believe the outcome of the match. It was disheartening for the people as they wanted the streak to continue longer. Thus Lesnar conquered the streak, while the Undertaker conquered the people's heart.

#1 Ric Flair - Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels

Ric Flair had an amazing tenure in the WWE. He was a world champion for a record 16 times. There is barely any wrestler that he has not faced during his career. Flair gifted us some of the greatest matches ever in the history of the WWE.

However, his last match was perhaps the most unforgettable of them all. Vince McMahon handpicked several wrestlers to compete against The Nature Boy. The condition was that if Flair loses, he retires. Flair accepted the challenge and went on to defeat the likes of Triple H, William Regal, Umaga, Randy Orton and several others.

However, Ric Flair was made to compete against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 in a career-threatening match. Shawn Michaels won the match when he pinned Ric Flair after a sweet chin music he delivered upon Ric Flair. Thus Ric Flair had to retire.

This match was lauded by the fans and critics alike.