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To get a standing ovation backstage in WWE is one of the biggest compliments. Gorilla position has been known to have many tense backstage moments in WWE over the years. But it's also the place where many Superstars have soaked in an overwhelming response after a great match.
These are five WWE Superstars who received a standing ovation backstage after their match:
#5. Dominik Mysterio - WWE SummerSlam 2020
Dominik Mysterio's WWE debut at SummerSlam 2020 was one of the most highly-anticipated ones in years. Not only was the son of Rey Mysterio going to make his in-ring debut at WWE's second-biggest pay-per-view of the year, but he would do it against multi-time World Champion Seth Rollins. To add to it all, he was just 23 years old.
On Unskripted, wrestling legend Konnan said that while he wouldn't have pushed Dominik so early the way WWE did, that spot would have just gone to somebody else. Hence, the 23-year-old had to capitalize on the opportunity. He elaborated on why he thinks WWE sees something in Dominik:
"Every now and then, you're going to see a Goldberg, or a Dominik, like they're doing with Kevin (Karrion) Kross in NXT. That guy who they fast track because they think they have something special. I don't know if maybe Vince saw in Dominik a kid who he knew when he was little, and he's trying to get a younger face out there to attract younger viewers. He saw something in him, you can say that I'm biased, but I'd also keep it 100. I thought he passed with flying colors," said Konnan.
When Dominik made his in-ring debut for WWE at SummerSlam 2020, he indeed passed with flying colors. Many WWE fans called it the match of the night, and nobody expected Dominik Mysterio to be as good as he did.
In WWE: The Day Of, Dominik Mysterio's SummerSlam debut was covered, as was the aftermath. A standing ovation was seen as he entered the Gorilla position, and Vince McMahon gave him some big words of encouragement. The WWE boss told the 23-year-old that there are Superstars who perform for years that can't get the kind of reaction that he did.
It must have been a big confidence booster to Dominik Mysterio, and it seemed as though he won over Vince McMahon with his debut match.
#4. Ricochet - WWE Stomping Grounds 2019
Ricochet seemed to be on a meteoric rise in WWE in 2019 when he made his main roster debut. He was a frequently-featured Superstar on WWE TV and even competed for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35 alongside Aleister Black.
Post-WrestleMania 35, the duo were split by the WWE Draft - with Aleister Black going to SmackDown and Ricochet going to RAW. Ricochet's singles career in WWE kickstarted in a big way, and within a few months, he had already won his first Championship on the main roster.
Facing Samoa Joe at WWE Stomping Grounds, Ricochet defeated Samoa Joe to capture the United States Championship. When he went backstage, he was given a standing ovation by his fellow WWE stars, and Triple H embraced him in a "proud father"-like moment.
This was very much a part of the Stomping Grounds pay-per-view, and the reaction backstage seemed genuine. Ricochet cut a promo soon after, stating how overwhelmed he was with the response:
However, Ricochet's reign as WWE United States Champion wasn't long as he lost it to AJ Styles in the next pay-per-view Extreme Rules.
#3. Cesaro - WWE No Mercy 2017
Cesaro is perhaps the toughest Superstar in WWE. While there have been numerous occasions to show it, none stands out as much as his tooth accident at No Mercy 2017.
Cesaro and Sheamus faced Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley for the RAW Tag Team Championships at WWE No Mercy 2017. A botched moment saw Cesaro's two front teeth get jammed up 3-4mm into his gums during the match.
It required a surgical procedure, but that didn't stop Cesaro from finishing the match anyway. Not only was it a great match, but Cesaro was the most talked-about WWE Superstar coming out of a pay-per-view that featured Roman Reigns vs. John Cena and Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman.
Former WWE Superstar Matt Morgan revealed on the WrestlingInc podcast that Cesaro reportedly got a standing ovation backstage after the match. The level of toughness Cesaro showed to not only finish the match but also have a great one speaks volumes about his ability in the ring.
It was further proof of why Cesaro is one of WWE's most underrated Superstars.
#2. Bianca Belair - WWE Royal Rumble 2021
Bianca Belair put on the best performance in WWE Women's Royal Rumble history - lasting over 56 minutes to win the match. She was always positioned as one of WWE's brightest future stars, and the fact that she is a homegrown talent helps the reputation of the WWE Performance Center as well.
Either way, she lasted until the end, co-eliminating Charlotte Flair before sending former NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley over the top rope. She became the fourth WWE Women's Royal Rumble winner - following Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair.
It's an elite category to be in, and WWE posted the backstage reaction on social media, with Bianca Belair hugging her husband Montez Ford while receiving a roaring ovation backstage.
Even Big E tweeted out in support of Bianca Belair, calling it a "massive pop":
It's good to see somebody as beloved backstage in WWE getting the push that they deserve. It was certainly the most wholesome moment of the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
#1. The Undertaker - WWE WrestleMania 33
The Undertaker had his original retirement match in WWE at WrestleMania 33. He faced WWE's golden boy Roman Reigns in a non-title match at WrestleMania, but since it was supposedly his last, it was the night's main event.
It made sense, as The Undertaker deserved a main event spot at WrestleMania to end his WWE career. It was an unfortunately underwhelming main event, as Roman Reigns had to do a lot of hard carrying for the WWE icon.
It was even painful to watch for many WWE fans, but once it was all said and done, he was 23-2, and that seemed to mark the end of his career. There was a lot of respect shown to the WWE legend. And backstage, The Undertaker received a standing ovation while walking away with his wife, Michelle McCool:
Unfortunately, it wasn't it for The Undertaker. Not only did he return for an appearance on RAW's 25th anniversary, but he had a match against John Cena at WrestleMania 34 that lasted less than three minutes.
His eventual retirement happened three years later, in 2020.
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