Top 10 underdog triumphs in WWE

Dolph Ziggler cashes in

WWE has always taken the level of entertainment high by many notches by doing something unexpected. And even if it was expected, it was about damn time.

Here are a few instances that are relevant to the history of WWE and things that fans were waiting for, but never expected to see, or expected to see it, but couldn’t believe it the moment it happened. They express the sheer joy of experiencing a wrestling spectacle.

P.S. – Daniel Bryan may not win this Sunday, but rest assured, he will be the Superstar of the Year, undoubtedly. And it will all build to that one moment we all have been waiting for.

Honourable Mentions

2012: Santino shocks the world

If it wasn’t a surprise enough, Santino entered the Elimination Chamber and came close to winning. He almost shocked the world, which, after the match, wanted to be shocked more than ever. And he was going all Rocky Balboa too.

When he won the US title on RAW against Jack Swagger in Boston, the world got its moment.

2011: Zack Ryder wins US title

It was his only crescendo moment in the WWE, but he did this all on his own and how clever and intelligent it was. The way he used social media to finally get people talking was a unique occurrence.

But the company chewed that and spat it out. Now Zack Ryder is back to where he began, but with no show. How cruel art thou WWE!

10. 1999: Mick Foley wins Championship, Monday Night Wars

That’s kayfabe-breaking and drama put together. This is not like the blurred reality of recent times. Tony Schiavone actually revealed RAW’s pre- taped main event results after Eric Bischoff’s orders.

If that does not tell you anything about having a certain body or personality to make it in the wrestling business, then you can return to laughing at John Cena’s cr***y humour.

This video is prepared for the lead up to RAW’s 1000 episodes. It captures the emotions perfectly.

“Have a Nice Day”

9. 2002 Survivor Series: Shawn Michaels Wins

He returned from a back injury that forced him to retire in his late twenties. He was a changed man, and no more the spoilt, snobbish brat.

He defeated Triple H at SummerSlam, but this was his moment where he won his only World Heavyweight Title, and Madison Square Garden provided a perfect set up. This was way before the internet played spoilsport. I remember how ecstatic it got, even if it was at home, when everyone reacted as if they were at a Metallica concert.

I would recommend you start the video from 47:30.

8. 2004: Eddie Guerrero is the best against the Beast

During the Summer of Punk, it was made amply clear that the WWE title is the holy grail of the WWE.

In 2002, the championship was Smackdown’s main attraction. Yes, the Holy Grail was on the second best WWE television show. But nobody can deny what a monstrous run Lesnar had.

In 2004, Lesnar was heel again and in the twilight of his infant career in the WWE. Eddie Guerrero’s victory over him was phenomenal.

It is no secret how good Eddie was technically and how entertaining he was, because “I Lie, Cheat and Steal”. He stole the show in his hometown.

7. 2004 Wrestlemania: Chris Benoit wins the World Heavyweight Championship

The final moment where Benoit and Guerrero celebrate is one of the relevant and iconic moments in WWE history.

Two technically gifted stars who didn’t match up to the vital stats of a WWE superstar, were now the best to beat in the business. Moments like Triple H tapping out, Jim Ross choking, Benoit crying are all professional wrestling gold.

6. 2005: Paul Heyman ECW One Night Stand Shoot

Though I have my own reservations about the violence portrayed in wrestling and ECW especially, this was Paul Heyman – the man and his madness – at his emotional best.

This was him thanking the crowd who made his business just like he did, who shared his vision and even though McMahon had bought ECW, this moment will forever stand as a triumph for Paul Heyman.

5. 2008 Armageddon: Jeff Hardy wins WWE title

He beat Edge and the burial man himself, Triple H, to win this piece of history.

A wonderful tag team and mid card wrestler, nobody would have thought years ago watching a young 20-something Hardy with team Xtreme that he could be WWE champion one day.

With all bumps and no glory, he was viewed as the one providing show stealing moments but never stealing the show. He did just that here.

4. 2011: Christian and that one match

Just like Jeff hardy, Christian was a tag team wrestler and wandered around the mid card his whole life until this fateful night where he climbed the top, quite literally.

With his accomplished and retired former tag team partner and best friend watching in a corner, Christian provided that one moment.

3. 2011: CM Punk

The unforgettable Summer of Punk, the match which was the first 5 star match in almost 14 years, witnessed Cena and Punk and their perfect dichotomy.

All this combined for the spectacle of the PG Era and Punk ran away with the championship, blowing a kiss goodbye to the boss.

2. 2012: Post Wrestlemania 28: The ‘Yes’ chants

Move over Dwayne Johnson, you are no longer the Rock we used to know.

The RAW after Wrestlemania had just one thing to say, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”.

An 18 second loss is Daniel Bryan’s first Wrestlemania moment and also his most important. What a world of change did that do!

It became the ultimate underdog chant, and deservedly so! What a triumph did that 18 second loss turn out to be!

1. 2013: It’s about damn time, Dolph Ziggler

Another RAW after Wrestlemania, and another night of pure awesomeness. This show was better than Wrestlemania 29.

It had various moments, but Ziggler’s victory was the icing on the cake.

Ziggler had a losing streak going into this cash in. It wouldn’t have been shocking if he had lost it because WWE wasn’t doing much with Ziggler, so when he finally pinned Del Rio, it made the moment that much special.

This crowd should go to the Hall of fame, as Ziggler noted on his Twitter handle. But more than that, Ziggler finally got something to show off!