WWE’s Ruthless Aggression period formally started on July 24, 2002, with a heartfelt promo lower by Vince McMahon, begging for some ruthless aggression from his roster. Some can even level to the month previous to this, when the WWE ran their “Get The F Out” marketing campaign, relinquishing their previous format and retiring the “WWF Angle” moniker.
Whereas the Angle Period of the WWE introduced an edgier aspect to the enterprise, its successor blended a extra brutal aspect with realism, blurring the strains of kayfabe endlessly. It additionally created among the greatest stars which can be nonetheless round at this time, turning mid-card expertise into bonafide most important occasion superstars.
Associated
7 Horrible WWE Wrestlers That Are Nice On The Mic
Within the ring, he is common at finest, boring at worst, however a variety of the time, his feuds are nonetheless extremely compelling due to his means on the mic
This record will cowl 12 of the best Ruthless Aggression moments that outlined the period, and what made them so particular. There’ll undoubtedly be moments which can be left off this record, however with how lengthy the period was, a listing of fifty moments or extra could develop into a burden to get by way of.
12
Return Of The Deadman
“You are Not Actual! I Buried You Alive!”
From 2000 to 2003, The Undertaker traded in his funeral apparel and organ music for a gimmick primarily based extra in actuality, because the American biker. He rode a bike to the ring, wore a bandana, and commenced utilizing The Final Trip, a loopy powerbomb that seemed prefer it may crush your backbone.
When Kane, Undertaker’s kayfabe brother, buried him alive on the 2003 Survivor Collection PPV, he had no means of figuring out simply how a lot of the character would die on that night time. The Undertaker would make his return at WrestleMania 20, 4 months later, bringing again his Deadman gimmick.
His hair could not have grown out sufficient to reminisce about his previous self, however bringing out Paul Bearer and the urn was a fantastic contact. Kane promoting his concern was high tier too, because it seemed like he actually noticed a ghost.
11
Cash In The Financial institution Ladder Match
Win Your Likelihood At A WWE Championship Match
If WrestleMania wasn’t sufficiently big of an occasion already, how a few multi-man match the place the winner will get a assured WWE Championship match? Throw in a ladder and a briefcase suspended above the ring, and you’ve got the Cash within the Financial institution match.
There was one thing particular about not solely the match, however what profitable it meant. Whereas it wasn’t a assure that you’d win the title, having that chance to money within the likelihood at any time you need, inside the 12 months, was an thrilling occasion to be part of.
There’s nothing extra thrilling than listening to the briefcase holder’s music enjoying out of nowhere, and the wrestler storming the ring with the intention of profitable a championship. The match set many careers on the trail of success, together with Edge’s monumental rise to his position because the Rated R Famous person.
10
Kane’s Unmasking
The Burns Have been On The Inside
From the second of his arrival, Kane was a fearsome character that you just would not need to end up in an empty alley with. He was the brother of The Undertaker, wore a masks to hide his burnt look, and was decided to destroy something in his path.
By way of debut, it is laborious to think about one higher than Kane ripping the door off the Hell in a Cell chamber and attacking The Undertaker. 5 years of domination, championships, and chokeslams to hell got here crashing down when a loss on Uncooked meant Kane needed to take away his masks.
Associated
10 Iconic WWE Famous person Alter Egos
These stars did not should be themselves to recover from.
The second was an enormous deal again within the day, even when the end result was a combined bag. Kane revealed that his burns have been really on the within, highlighting psychological harm, and a few of his best moments concerned setting Jim Ross on fireplace and electrocuting Shane McMahon by his household jewels.
9
The Elimination Chamber
Over 16 Tons Of Metal And Chain
When you have got a construction that stands 16 ft tall, weighs over 16 tons, and is manufactured from metal and chain, it’s possible you’ll as effectively name it the Elimination Chamber. It is the place careers went to get shortened, as those that stepped inside it have been by no means the identical.
The six males concerned within the authentic chamber match included Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane. The contributors ought to have listened to Booker T, who predicted one thing dangerous was going to occur, as an RVD five-star frog splash crushed Triple H’s throat through the bout.
You realize an thought is an efficient one when it sticks round, and identical to the Cash within the Financial institution ladder match, the Elimination Chamber has remained a staple within the WWE. Certain, the construction has modified over time, however the brutality and mayhem stay the identical.
8
John Cena’s Debut
He Really Possessed Ruthless Aggression
Through the Ruthless Aggression period, there was no wrestler extra full than Kurt Angle. A pure wrestling machine, Angle would maintain open challenges to anybody crafty sufficient to take him on, and he lastly met his match in opposition to a younger man by the identify of John Cena.
Followers nonetheless get goosebumps to this present day once they revisit this second, as Cena shouts “Ruthless Aggression” earlier than slapping Angle within the face and hitting him with a takedown. He could have misplaced the match to Angle, however he received a variety of respect from the WWE universe on that night time.
Even The Undertaker shook his hand in a backstage phase, one thing that may solely be earned. The loopy factor is that Cena was virtually fired in a while, however a change in persona and the creation of the Physician of Thuganomics saved his profession and created one of many best champions in WWE historical past.
7
The Arrival Of Eric Bischoff
Monday Evening Uncooked’s New Common Supervisor
The Monday Evening Wars have been a loopy time through the Angle Period, as Vince McMahon’s firm went head-to-head on a weekly foundation in opposition to Eric Bischoff’s WCW. To suppose that Bischoff would be a part of the WWE one 12 months after WWE’s buy of WCW felt like a fever dream.
Associated
10 Most Detestable WWE Heels Of All Time
He was equally hilarious and merciless, and although he didn’t lower an imposing determine within the ring, he may actually wrestle with the very best of them.
When AC/DC’s Again in Black hit the audio system, for the primary and final time, because of copyright, Bischoff made his debut on Uncooked, changing into the brand new normal supervisor. Sadly, the WWE ruined the shock by exhibiting him backstage with Booker T, however his look on WWE tv was nonetheless stunning.
Bischoff was additionally the person behind the Elimination Chamber match, not less than in kayfabe, and was part of so many nice, and not-so-great, reminiscences. Although he departed 5 years later in 2007, Bischoff left a protracted and lasting impression on the WWE throughout his time.
6
Austin Vs. Rock III
One Final Time At WrestleMania
There are three issues which can be sure in life: demise, taxes, and Stone Chilly Steve Austin taking over The Rock at WrestleMania. The Ruthless Aggression gave us the third and last choice of this historic rivalry, and it didn’t disappoint.
Their trilogy began at WrestleMania 15, with WrestleMania 17 serving as half two. What their third match did not have that the earlier two years did was a WWE Championship to combat for. This match was for pleasure.
It is loopy to suppose that this match really went down, with The Rock’s restricted schedule and Austin’s damage issues. He acknowledged that his elbows have been just about shot going into the match, and all of his limbs have been going numb all through the match.
5
ECW One Evening Stand
This One Was For The Hardcore Followers
Excessive Championship Wrestling was lots like faith to wrestling followers searching for one thing totally different. It was chaotic and bloody, but it surely additionally launched the world to legends like Rob Van Dam, The Dudley Boyz, and Sabu.
In 2005, the WWE held the ECW One Evening Stand occasion, holding the present on the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York and hitting each nostalgic beat they might. ECW legends like Tommy Dreamer, Terry Funk, and Beulah McGillicutty all made appearances in what was a monumental present.
And the principle occasion? Headlined by John Cena defending in opposition to RVD, who had cashed in his Cash within the Financial institution briefcase. Every thing was wrapped as much as perfection with an RVD pinfall win that was counted by Paul Heyman, bringing the ECW crowd to erupt into cheers.
4
Ric Aptitude’s Retirement Match
“I am Sorry. I Love You.”
They are saying that for those who plan to exit, you would possibly as effectively exit massive, and Ric Aptitude did simply that. At WrestleMania 24, Aptitude took on Shawn Michaels in singles motion, with the stipulation that if Aptitude misplaced, he must retire and depart the WWE.
In a contest that went past 20 minutes, Aptitude and Michaels gave us one of many best examples of age being only a quantity. What made the ending so lovely was Michaels’ final phrases to Aptitude earlier than hitting a Candy Chin Music and ending him off for good.
Associated
10 Most Iconic WWE Finishers Of All Time
If there’s a transfer to outline the very best period of wrestling, it is for sure the Stone Chilly Stunner.
This second may have been a top-3 contender on this record, had it not been for Ric Aptitude’s should be in a wrestling ring. Regardless of retiring within the WWE, Aptitude made a number of extra appearances in a wrestling capability, together with a not-so-memorable participation in an AEW match.
3
Eddie Guerrero Wins Undisputed Championship
Eat, Sleep, Cannot Defeat Latino Warmth
The Ruthless Aggression period gave followers two very totally different experiences with Uncooked and SmackDown. Whereas each have been wonderful merchandise on the time, SmackDown put a serious deal with constructing new stars for the principle occasion, giving an opportunity to some who have been typically left within the mid-card.
The best instance of that is Eddie Guerrero, who was largely concerned within the Intercontinental and Tag Workforce Championship image. When he lastly bought his shot, Guerrero put the beast Brock Lesnar down and received his first and solely WWE Championship.
The second turned notorious with Guerrero’s physique flying by way of the air, virtually prefer it was frozen in time, earlier than touchdown his signature Frog Splash. On that night time, Latino Warmth reigned supreme, and his championship win was the results of ardour and tenacity.