"Stone Cold" Steve Austin:You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere! Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16... Austin 3:16 says "I just whipped your ass"! Triple H: You guys talk about being students of the game. I AMthe fucking game, JR!! There is nobody that eats, sleeps or breathes this business more than me!!! "Rowdy" Roddy Piper: Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions! The Rock: Rocky Maivia is a lot of things, but 'sucks' ain't one of them. Paul Bearer: Kane told me!! He's alive!! Kaneis alive,Undertaker!! The Miz: I'd rather you all hate me for who I am than love me for something I'm not! Tommy Dreamer: Thank you, sir, may I have another?
Shawn Michaels: It was you, Hunter. Triple H pauses, spits out his gum, smiles and says... Triple H: You're damn right it was me, Shawn! You're DAMN. RIGHT.
Which had a Wham Response.
Shawn Michaels: But the doctors have told me that I'll make a full recovery. In fact, they said I'll be 100%. 100%by say...SummerSlam?
Shane McMahon: The deal is finalized with WCW, and the name on the contract does say McMahon. (Dramatic Pause as the crowd cheers) However, the contract reads SHANE McMahon. Jim Ross: OH MY GOD! I don't believe it! Shane: That's right. I now ownWCW!
Ric Flair: Did you know when Shane and Stephanie sold their stock to that consortium, that consortium - WHHOOO!! (dances in the ring) - the consortium WAS ME!! And now you and I are limousine ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin', wheelin'-dealin', son-of-a-guns!! And you know why? Because we're partners!
CM Punk: The greatest thing the devil ever did was make you people believe he didn't exist... and you're looking at him right now! I AM THE DEVIL HIMSELF! And all of you stupid, mindless people fell for it!
And said host then declares a challenge to the only one on his level:
The Rock: There is one man who the Rock has to see face-to-face. A guy who I met. A guy who I thought was a cool guy. Wished him well, happy for his success. When the Rock leaves, he comes in and out of the blue, eventually, he starts talking trash about the Rock. I don't know why and I don't care but I'm back now. You might have heard of him; his name is John Cena.
After WrestleMania 27, a Once in a Lifetime challenge:
Vickie Guerrero: When I was really, really mad at you, I did something that you might not like. Edge: OK, I understand that. Wha... what did you do? Vickie Guerrero: I reinstated The Undertaker.
The Rock:IF YOU SMELL... Chris Jericho: NO! This is not a joke! I AM not a joke! I am serious. And you will not look past me, you stupid son of a bitch!
Bully Ray: HULK, I USED YOU! BROOKE, I SCREWED YOU! BUT MOST OF ALL, I FOOLED EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! I'M BULLY RAY! I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ACES AND EIGHTS]]! AND I AM THE TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
The biggest rematch in WrestleMania history is set up...
The Undertaker: If you beat me, you end the streak. But if I beat you...your career...is OVER!
A voice of reason unites the family…
Linda McMahon: The only way to garner respect from people is not, Vince, by yelling and screaming or, Steph, by pitching a fit. It's by taking action. Comforts J.R. by the arm Linda McMahon: So J.R., on the behalf of the entire McMahon family: you'rrreeeefired! Kicks J.R. in the balls.
And of course, the one line that changed the face of the industry forever...
Vince McMahon: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Last night on Monday Night Raw, the WWE presented a special tribute show, recognizing the career of Chris Benoit. However, now some 26 hours later, the facts of this horrific tragedy are now apparent. Therefore, other than my comments, there will be no mention of Mr. Benoit's name tonight. On the contrary, tonight's show will be dedicated to everyone who has been affected by this terrible incident. This evening marks the first step of the healing process. Tonight, WWE performers will do what they do better than anyone else in the world: entertain you.
The Yes Movement changes the Game...
Daniel Bryan:note surrounded by almost a hundred fans inside and around the ring I'm sorry. I didn't um, I misspoke earlier. That's not exactly all that I want. Because as much as these people want to see me fight you at WrestleMania, what they really want to see is me fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship. So here is what we really want. If I beat you at WrestleMania, I get added to the World Heavyweight Championship match so that then the main event will beRandy Orton vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan!! Triple H, enraged, rushes down the ramp being held back by security. Triple H:YOU WANT THAT? YOU GET ALL OF THIS! YOU GET ME, YOU GET YOUR DEAL!
But the Authority has one last trick...
Triple H: There's gonna be a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania! Daniel Bryan is not gonna be in it because he's not gonna get past me. But when I beatDaniel Bryan, the Triple Threat Match is gonna be Batista and Randy Orton — AND ME!
On April 6, 2014, at Wrestlemania 30, the unthinkable happened:
This, in turn, leads to a big moment for Paul Heyman:
Heyman: Oh my God! Oh my God![runs up to Lesnar] You beat it! You beat it! You did it! You did it! You did it! You beat him! You did it, Brock! You conquered the Streak! Brock, you did it! You did it! You did it, Brock! You did it!
And for those who didn't hear it the first time...
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match... Brock Lesnar!
A shocking face/heel turn, and the genesis of a legendary WWE event:
Andre the Giant: I am here for one reason. To challengeyou to a world championship match at WrestleMania.
And Hogan's response:
Hulk Hogan: YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the wake of a battle won, the war takes a new turn:
Triple H: There's always a Plan B. [Seth Rollins takes the chair he was holding and starts beating the crap out of Reigns and Ambrose, his own teammates]
A long, bloody reign finally comes to an end:
Announcer: The winner of this match, and new Divas' Champion... Paige!
What was supposed to be a celebration of commitment turns into a nightmare:
MinisterEric Bischoff: Did I just hear myself say... THREE MINUTES?!note Saying those words was how Bischoff summoned Three Minute Warning, a pair of wrestlers who beat down anyone who failed to entertain him quickly enough.
Weeks of waiting end, and Kane has a very bad night:
Survivor Series 2014. The hero had fallen. The people's final hope for a saviour appeared futile in the face of the tyrant and his sinister disciple. All was lost... then he appeared.
Seth Rollins:John, I didn't want it to come to this. But if you're not gonna come out here, then you are forcing my hand! And in turn, John, you leave me no choice but to force yours.
And even when demands are met...
Seth Rollins: Thank you, John! Thank you! But damn, you gotta know me better than that. I'm gonna killhim anyway.
WrestleMania 31: At the climax of a war, the opportunist seizes his moment.
Lillian Garcia: Ladies and gentlemen, Seth Rollins is cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, therefore this will now be a Triple Threat match!
The boss makes a shocking announcement for the 2016 Royal Rumble event:
Vince McMahon: It'll be you defending your championship against 29 other men in the Royal Rumble match!
Later in the actual Royal Rumble Match, unfamiliar music plays and the Titantron shows three words that sends the audience over the deep end and causes numerous fans watching around the world to mark out.
Money in the Bank 2016: Two years after a tragic betrayal, the ultimate payback.
Lillian Garcia: *As Seth Rollins lays out prone on the canvas*Ladies and gentlemen, Dean Ambrose is cashing in his Money in the Bank Contract!
After claiming eternal loyalty, the viper strikes.
Randy Orton: So here I am, dead center in the kingdom...a place where the devil sings your praises. This is your world, Bray...but it's not mine! It never was! I once said, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." But I have another expression for you, Bray. Once you join 'em, and it's the right time...SCREW 'EM!*proceeds to burn down the Wyatt Family Compound*
The so-called "Festival of Friendship" turns out to be one of the biggest destruction of said friendship...
Chris Jericho: (opens his gift) A new list! It's great! I mean, the other one's getting beat up and it's getting full, and...how come my name's on this? [he holds it up so we can all see it says "The List of KO", then it dawns on him right before Owens' No-Holds-Barred Beatdown ensues]
After weeks of accusations and pointing fingers, the real culprit of the attacks on Enzo Amore is revealed
Big Cass: YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I DID IT!
After weeks of taunting, The Miz thinks he's got it all figured out, but The Big Dog is quick to correct him.
Sanity, the Authors of Pain (with Roderick Strong) and The Undisputed Era had been tearing each other for months since the latter team debut. To put an end to all this chaos, NXT General Manager William Regal decided to put all three teams in a triple threat tag team match at TakeOver: Houston in a match that hadn't been seen since the fall of WCW.
William Regal: At TakeOver: Houston, these three teams will be in two rings. In one cage. In WARGAMES!
A comeback thought impossible become a reality:
Daniel Bryan: For the past two months, I asked WWE to re-look at my case and they sent me to the best neurologists all over the country. And all of these neurologists, every specialist, every doctor that I seen has said the same thing and it is this: You.Are.Cleared.
It's Monday Night Raw in 2018, and Roman Reigns- the reigning WWE champion, and possibly the most hated wrestler in the entire company due to the string of increasingly controversial decisions regarding how he was pushed- walks into the ring carrying his championship belt. But he's not wearing his usual costume, and he seems unusually subdued. Up until this point, the crowd has been engaged in their now-familiar chorus of boos for Roman... but what he says inside the ring not only stops the boos, but momentarily causes the crowd to fall dead silent with shock.
Roman Reigns: My real name is Joe... and I've been living with leukemia for eleven years. And unfortunately, it's back. And because the leukemia is back, I cannot fulfill my role, and I'm gonna have to relinquish the universal championship.
Ronda Rousey: You know what, I did everything I could to respect this business! I worked my ass off and exceeded every expectation! I poured my heart out and sacrificed my body for your entertainment, and what did you do, huh? You booed me out of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, my home! You chant for Becky while I'm out here working my ass off trying to entertain you! You know what? No! I'm done pretending! I'm no longer here to entertain you! I would break Charlotte and Becky's nose as if I so much sneeze in their direction and you know it! No! I'm not your dancing monkey! Not anymore! Damn your fantasies, Damn the man, screw the woos, and no more Mrs. NiceBitch! *Attacks both Charlotte and Becky*
One of the most important lines in the entire history of pro wrestling:
Which, direct or not, was a contributing factor to this 18 months later:
Jim Ross: Here at, uh...in Kansas City, uh...tragedy befell the World Wrestling Federation and all of us...Owen Hart was, uh...set to make an entrance from the ceiling, and uh...he fell from the ceiling. And, I have the unfortunate responsibility...I want to let everyone know that Owen Hart has died. Owen Hart has tragically died from that accident here tonight.'
Xavier Woods and Big E from The New Day are battling in a tag gauntlet match to earn Kofi Kingston a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania. They've battled through The Good Brothers, Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura, and The Bar. At this point they're exhausted, but they still have to face The Usos, longtime rivals. Jimmy and Jey come out, and look ready to go at it. However, they instead get a microphone and begin talking about the wars they had and the respect they have for The New Day and Kofi. Then they show where they truly stand:
Jey Uso: So with that being said......Yo New Day! Good luck, uce! Cuz we forfeit!
A world champion drops a major announcement regarding his career:
Edge: I passed strength tests, and all of those things and I made it through WrestleMania... but the WWE wanted me to get more tests, and, thankfully, I did... because the MRI showed that, uh... that I have to retire.
A seemingly innocuous episode of WWE Backstage is suddenly interrupted by a special guest, whose theme song signals the return of a star no one ever thought would come back.
In the build to the 2020 Royal Rumble, a champion decides to make his own opportunity after dominating both brands.
Paul Heyman: Brock Lesnarnote the reigning WWE Champion hereby enters the Royal Rumble... FIRST
Then, in the actual men's Rumble match, much like the Daniel Bryan example above. The clock starts to count down for the 21st contestant, the buzzer sounds, and a return thought impossible is made reality when a familiar sound not heard in nine years heralds the return of an Ultimate Opportunist:
(Becky Lynch relinquishes her Raw Women's Championship to Asuka, and she celebrates for a minute straight.) Lynch: You are the champion. Now, as happy as you are to be the champion, I might be a little bit happier. So, you go and be a warrior, 'cuz I'm gonna go... be a mother.
A former champion makes his intentions known, but he hasn't come alone:
Roman Reigns: I'll tell you right now, I'll be at Payback on Sunday. That is a promise. I will be in the triple threat match, wreck everyone and leave — that is a guarantee. And I will win back my Universal Championship that I never lost in the first place — that is not just a prediction... that's a spoiler. (The camera pans over to reveal Paul Heyman sitting next to Roman) Paul Heyman: Believe. THAT.
When Winter Comes, an unexpected door opens, linking two companies together for the first time, after Kenny Omegascrews Jon Moxley out of the AEW Championship...
Alex Marvez: Kenny? Don? What did you just do? What's going on? What the hell's going on here?!
As Chris Jericho and the Inner Circle has MJF cornered for planning to usurp Jericho as the leader of the group:
Maxwell Jacob Friedman: I didn't want to take over your group (Chris Jericho's Inner Circle), I swear, man, I swear... because I was too busy buildingmy own.
Damian Priest: We realized that...in the short time with you, you've taught to "get rid of any limitation that was holding us back". We're ready. We are ready to shed the last bit of limitations holding us back... (turns to Edge) which is you. (Edge stares at Damian, realizes what the Archer has said, before the New Judgment Day deliver a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown on the Rated-R Superstar)
At Bash at the Beach 1996, the announcers witness the most shocking betrayal ever performed in professional wrestling:
Roddy Piper: Tell me something... (grabs Bischoff by the collar) You little piece of shit, you are— (he gets grabbed by The Giant along with the rest of the New World Order before Hogan comes to the ring and hugs Eric Bischoff)
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Now... Now that everybody realizes who everybody's working for... I mean, my God! This guy right here was the foundation of WCW! Now, he works for the nWo!
The Undertaker's 2001 heel turn, when we thought he'd come down to the ring to save Jim Ross from joining Vince McMahon's "Kiss My Ass Club", but after asking if he wanted to kiss Vince's ass, and Ross told him no...
The Undertaker: Is that because you're better than me?
The Raw after Clash at the Castle opened with a normal fatal four way between The New Day, Alpha Academy, The Street Profits, and Los Lotharios, so far nothing too out of the ordinary. However, just as Chad Gable had Montez Ford in the ankle lock, the speakers suddenly boom with an unmistakable yell, causing the arena to go nuts, everyone in the match to internally crap themselves, and the wrestling community to realize Triple H was just getting started.
On the October 10th, 2022 RAW, The Judgment Day is in the ring when AJ Styles comes out and does a speech on how he knows he needs his "brothers." An overjoyed Finn Bálor embraces him until Styles pulls the mic back up.
AJ Styles: I wasn't talking about you.
(Cue familiar music as Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows return, and the reunited OC beat down Judgement Day.)
A little background: Macho Man Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior are set to wrestle a tag team match against Ric Flair and Razor Ramon at the 1992 Survivor Series. For a year at this point, Flair's "executive consultant" has been the infamous Mr. Perfect. Weeks prior to the event, Ultimate Warrior is released from the WWF, leaving Macho Man without a tag team partner. On the November 16 edition of Prime Time Wrestling (presided over by moderator Vince McMahon with commentators Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Mr. Perfect, among others), Macho Man announces his bold choice to take Warrior's place in the ring:
Vince McMahon: Randy Savage, who do you mean? Spell it out! Macho Man: "Spell it out." [beat]It's Mr. Perfect.
Everyone on the show is stunned by this offer, except Bobby Heenan (who is Flair's "financial advisor") and Mr. Perfect himself, who both seem highly amused. But over the course of that evening's program, Mr. Perfect goes from amused to thoughtful, as if he's seriously considering Macho Man's proposal. And the more thoughtful and quiet he gets, the more aggravated Bobby Heenan becomes, until, fed up with all the Flair camp's pressure on him, Perfect pops out of his seat:
Mr. Perfect: Let me tell you something, Heenan! I am sick and tired of everybody making decisions for me! Savage, you want an answer? I'll give you an answer! I accept!(At which point Heenan slaps Mr. Perfect. Perfect does not take that well. He grabs Bobby's tie and forces him to his knees, cementing his Heel–Face Turn by pouring a pitcher of water over Bobby's head.)
The reason for Toxic Attraction's tensions?
Jacy Jayne: It's never been about us! It was always about me!
Once The Miz finally makes his decision to become the 7th and final member of Team WWE against The Nexus at 2010 SummerSlam, John Cena tells him he made his decision too late as he already found someone else who has issues with the group as they do:
John Cena: The 7th member of Team WWE is Daniel Bryan.
Mick Foley: Because, you see, Orton; you see, Flair; you see, Batista; you're damn right. I said Mick Foley was coming back to Raw. But I never said Mick Foley was coming back to Raw...alone.
Jey would follow suit with his brother against his cousin on the June 16, 2023 episode of SmackDown:
Jey: (to Jimmy) So guess what? You out. And I'm out too. (Superkicks Roman Reigns)
SummerSlam 2023, just as Jey Uso was about to pin Roman Reigns, a mysterious assailant pulled Jey out of the ring, before later revealing himself to be Jimmy Uso. Even after months of injury at the hands of Roman Reigns, and multiple years of abuse, Jimmy decided to betray his brother for reasons unknown. This line from Michael Cole sums up the situation perfectly:
Cole:Jimmy, what the hell did you do? Why?
AEWWrestleDream 2023: Christian Cage defeated Darby Allin with the help of a newly-heel Nick Wayne and the two along with Luchasaurus beat up Darby's partner, Sting and Christian sets him up for a con-chair-to...only for an old friend of his to show up and stop him.
Survivor Series 2023 already finished its last match, and it's a night with which already featured tworeturns. Just as the camera is already zooming out to go off air, theme songs hits to herald a man many thought would never step in a WWE arena ever again, especially in light of his recent controversies:
On Day 1 Raw, The Rock has made his return as he takes out Jinder Mahal. Afterwards...
The Rock: I'm a little hungry. I'm gonna go get something to eat. When The Rock goes get something to eat tonight in San Diego, should The Rock sit... in a booth? Or... should The Rock sit... at the bar? ...Yeah, The Rock loves the bar, too. Or... should The Rock... sit... at the head of the table?
The bell rings for the last time at the tail end of WrestleMania XL, signaling both the end of a grueling war and one of the bloodiest, most brutal title reigns in history.
Samantha Irvin:Here is your winner AND THE NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
, I think you know the guy...