Spike Dudley has quite a resume despite being the underdog in virtually every promotion he has been in. Having won thirteen titles in WWE/ECW, Spike aka Mathew Hyson is now a successful financial planner.
The former ‘Runt’ of the Dudley family had eight Hardcore title reigns during the infamous 24/7 era and famously defeated Rey Mysterio to win the WWE Cruiserweight title in what would be the second of the two non-Hardcore singles title victories in his WWE career.
But this edition of ‘This day..’ looks at Spike’s first solo victory – a European title win that came in just 3 seconds.
Also, we look at the last of the two World Heavyweight title wins for Dolph Ziggler. It would be four years ago today that Dolph Ziggler blew the roof off the WWE arena in East Rutherford when he cashed in his money in the bank briefcase on Alberto Del Rio.
Ziggler’s reign would be hampered by a concussion and he would drop the title back to Del Rio in his first title defence. In fact, across his two World title reigns, Ziggler has never had a successful title defence.
#1 Dolph Ziggler wins the World title – 8th April 2013
The day after WrestleMania 29 saw the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio wrestle Jack Swagger for the title. Del Rio would pick up the victory despite a bad knee, only to hear Dolph Ziggler’s entrance music reverberating across East Rutherford.
Mr Money in the Bank Ziggler, who had failed to win the tag team titles alongside Big E the day before, came to the ring with AJ Lee and Big E in tow and announced his decision to cash in his briefcase for a world title shot. The pop that Ziggler – the heel – received was one of the greatest over the previous two years.
Also read: 5 ways WWE can fully maximise Dolph Ziggler’s heel run
Ziggler would take advantage of Del Rio’s injured knee to escape the Cross Armbreaker and connected with the Zigzag.
Three seconds later, the Showoff was the World Heavyweight Champion. Ziggler would lose the title back to Del Rio in his first title defence while successfully orchestrating a rarely-seen double turn with Del Rio during the match.
#2 Spike Dudley wins the European title in 3 seconds - 8th April 2002
The fastest in-ring title change would happen on an episode of RAW. The European Championship was on the line with the Champion William Regal defending his title against Spike Dudley.
Regal had forged a reputation during that time of using an illegal set of brass knucks to win his matches. Regal would hide the knucks between the turnbuckle, but it would be Spike who would use them – straight at Regal’s temple.
The referee would start the match with Regal already knocked out and three seconds later, Spike was the European Champion.
#3 Roddy Piper returns to SmackDown – 8th April 2003
Roddy Piper had not signed a WWE contract since his WrestleMania 12 match with Goldust and it would take 7 years and another WrestleMania for him to step foot inside a WWE ring. At WrestleMania 19, Piper would interfere on behalf of Vince McMahon during his match against Hulk Hogan, turning heel in the process.
Piper would sign a contract with the WWE, becoming exclusive to the SmackDown brand. On his first night back, Piper hosted his legendary ‘Piper’s pit’ segment with McMahon prior to being interrupted by Rikishi.
The Samoan wanted revenge for Piper’s actions two decades ago when he had struck Rikishi’s family member Jimmy Snuka over the head with a coconut. However, Rikishi was thwarted by Sean O’Haire who attacked the former HeadShrinker, allowing Piper to lay him out with a coconut shot to the head.
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