WWE has seen some mind-boggling and historic matches from the time of its inception. It has witnessed some of the most spectacular matches in the history of sports entertainment, which have made a special place in the memories of the fans who are emotionally attached to WWE. Talking about emotions, today we look back at the five most emotional and tragic climaxes of WWE matches that have been etched in the minds of the fans of WWE.
Here are 5 of the most tragic endings of a WWE match
1. Cody Rhodes fails to fulfil his father’s dream
Cody Rhodes was hellbent on fulfilling his late great father’s dream at WrestleMania 39. His father, the great Dusty Rhodes had never won a WWE Championship in his life and neither had his two sons Goldust and Cody, done so. Cody had the golden opportunity to win the World Championship when he faced Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 39, for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The “American Nightmare” could not do the job as he lost due to the interference from the Enforcer Solo Sikoa . This was a heartbreak for his diehard fans and the Rhodes family. Although, after one year he did fulfil that dream at WrestleMania XL when he defeated Roman for the WWE World title.
2. Brock Lesnar breaks The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak
The Undertaker has been one of the most popular and loved superstars ever since he debuted in WWE back in 1990. The “Deadman” head cemented his legacy in pro wrestling with a massive 21 match winning streak in WrestleMania’s. It was something that he was extremely proud of and the fans connected with the streak immensely. But in 2014, the “Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar broke that streak when he shockingly defeated the Undertaker at Wrestlemania and sent shockwaves to the entire world. Every Undertaker WWE fan must have been emotional seeing the streak get broken after nearly 3 decades of dominance by the Deadman.
3. Shawn Michaels retires
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is arguably one of the most gifted wrestlers in the history of Pro Wrestling. In a highly emotional match against Undertaker, the “Heart Break Kid” had put his career on the line, as he was hellbent on breaking the “Deadman’s” Wrestlemania streak in 2010. The Undertaker as usual had the last laugh and defeated “Mr. WrestleMania” and put an end to a highly decorated and one of the most colorful careers in the history of WWE. This was arguably the most emotional moment for the WWE fans and the moment was as tragic as it can get.
4. Ric Flair is retired by Shawn Michaels
Just like Shawn Michaels had to retire after putting his career on the line, Ric Flair had tasted the same fate earlier. The record 17 time WWE World Champion put his career on the line against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 2008. After a gruesome battle, Shawn delivered a “Sweet Chin Music” and pinned Flair to win the match. Such was the emotional quotient of the match that even HBK was sentimental and murmured “I love you” before delivering the decisive Super Kick to the “Nature Boy”. This was one of the highly emotional and tragic climaxes in the history of WrestleMania.
5. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s last WrestleMania match
Before turning up against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 2022, Stone Cold Steve Austin had retired from WWE, after losing to arch rival The Rock, at Wrestlemania 2003. This was one of the most sad and tragic endings of a glorious career in WWE. Stone Cold was seen as one of the most popular superstars in the history of WWE, with millions of die-hard fans. No one had expected the “Texas Rattlesnake” to retire so early, but fate had other ideas as creative differences with WWE and his knee injury forced him to retire in 2003.
