Best Dramatic Performances in WWE History

In the wacky world of professional wrestling, it can be difficult to truly get fans to suspend their disbelief and buy into the drama of the industry. However, during WWEThroughout the long history of , there have been many magical moments where wrestlers put on truly thrilling dramatic performances to sell a story, a twist, a moment, or a match.

The following promos and performances deserve an acting award and are among the most iconic WWE moments of all time. Many of the following stars prove here why they deserve to be current or future members of the WWE Hall Of Fame.

10

Humanity becomes Cactus Jack

Only Mick Foley could make something so ridiculous and dramatic

• Mick Foley had many different “faces”
• He smoothly transitioned from Mankind to Cactus Jack
• Triple H’s fear also helped sell the moment

Before their Royal Rumble match for the WWE Championship, Mankind appeared to confront Triple H, realizing that being Mankind wasn’t enough. He gradually changed during his promo into his “Cactus Jack” persona, becoming more unhinged, aggressive and dangerous, as the crowd went wild.

The fear that spread across Triple H’s face made the moment even more memorable. On paper, something like this seems silly, but in terms of execution, this was one of the best dramatic performances in WWE history.

9

Friendship Day

Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens were perfect

• Jericho’s goofy character has reached new heights
• Owens’ frustration grew throughout the segment
• The subtleties of their performances made this segment iconic

Chris Jericho was beginning to please fans with his infectious and funny persona, which led him to put on a “Friendship Festival” for Universal Champion Kevin Owens that was hilarious to watch. However, Owens’ growing anger was evident, and the way he showed it in a subtle way was superb.

All of this led Jericho to realize he was about to be betrayed, wondering why his name was on Kevin Owens’ “list.” The drama at that time was wild and led Owens to turn on his friend in a violent attack.

8

Eddie Guerrero before winning the WWE Championship

Guerrero poured his heart out

• Brock Lesnar goaded Guerrero over his addiction
• Guerrero spoke from his heart in dramatic performance
• This resulted in a sensational title victory at No Way Out

Eddie Guerrero stood up to Brock Lesnar before their title match, admitting to being a drug addict, going to rehab, losing his family and fighting to get back to where he was at that time. He explained how being a drug addict makes him dangerous, determined and willing to do anything to become the new WWE Champion.

Everything felt real, and that’s because it came from a very real place. This is one of the best promos of all time and was drama at its finest, adding so much to the existing story and helping to make its title even sweeter.

7

Shawn Michaels: End of an Era

Shawn Michaels was ripped as special guest referee

• Triple H and Undertaker fought at WrestleMania 28
• Michaels was still obsessed with ending The Streak
• Michaels helped make this match a storytelling masterpiece

After three years of failure, Shawn Michaels and Triple H were in the ring with The Undertaker again at WrestleMania 28, this time at Hell In A Cell with Michaels as referee. Even though he played in the middle, Michaels was pushed all the way by The Undertaker, who was frustrated and attacked Michaels.

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So, Michaels and Triple H worked together to try to defeat The Undertaker, but they failed. The legendary Undertaker kick caused Michaels to enter a state of disbelief and dismay which he sold absolutely perfectly. Throughout the match, Michaels’ conflict was evident and his battle to remain impartial was executed perfectly.

6

Mega powers explode

The end of the friendship between Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan

• Savage let out all his grievances against Hogan
• Hogan begged Miss Elizabeth to agree with Savage
• Savage finally attacked Hogan in shocking moment

Things were getting worse and worse in the relationship between Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan, with Savage becoming jealous the closer Hogan got to Miss Elizabeth, as well as disliking the way Hogan was taking center stage despite the fact for Savage to be the WWE Champion.

It all boiled over in a behind-the-scenes segment where their argument was genuine and full of pure emotion, airing all of their grievances with each other in one dramatic scene. Savage finally had enough and turned his back on Hogan, setting the table for their WrestleMania 5 match.

5

Vince McMahon looked distraught thanks to CM Punk

McMahon Sold CM Punk’s WWE Title Victory

• CM Punk walked away with the WWE Title at Money In The Bank 2011
• He blew Vince McMahon a kiss
• McMahon’s play at that point was fantastic

CM Punk’s WWE contract was set to expire after the 2011 Money In The Bank PPV, and despite his best efforts, Vince McMahon couldn’t stop CM Punk from walking away with the gold. McMahon’s growing desperation was played out perfectly, especially after Punk blew him a kiss and ran off.

McMahon looked like a heartbroken child watching helplessly as the most important prize of his life, the WWE Championship, was stolen from him. The tears, heartbreak and more made this moment historic.

4

The new day kicked out Big E

The New Day’s Heel Turn Was an Emotional Roller Coaster

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods teased their breakup
• Big E came back to make things right
• Woods and Kingston turned their backs on Big E in a tough-to-watch segment

Big E made his return to television after spending years on the shelf thanks to a broken neck in an attempt to alleviate ongoing issues on The New Day. However, Kingston & Woods had other ideas and instead blamed Big E for all their problems, insulting him and making him feel horrible about his broken neck.

Big E’s reaction to this moment was stunning, putting on a wonderful display of acting as he sold the heartbreak and disbelief of having been betrayed by his closest friends.

3

Mark Henry’s fake retirement

Henry broke away from everyone

• Mark Henry’s performance convinced everyone he was retiring
• He turned heel and attacked John Cena
• Henry’s salmon jacket will be remembered

WWE made a big announcement from Mark Henry, who appeared to interrupt John Cena, revealing to the world that he was hanging up his boots after a wild career. He told his family he was “going home” before attacking John Cena and instantly putting himself in contention for the WWE Title.

Henry’s acting here was truly something special, going from joyous and emotional to dangerous and focused, all in the blink of an eye. Even though nothing ultimately came of it, this moment turned out to be one of the best twists of all time.

2

Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24

Michaels, Ric Flair retired

• Michaels and Flair fought at WrestleMania
• Ric Flair’s career was on the line
• Michaels showed emotional struggle during this match

At WrestleMania 24, Ric Flair’s WWE career came to an end at the hands of Shawn Michaels, who took down the aging star in a rollercoaster match. Michaels’ performance here was magical, especially as the match approached its final stages.

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Flair had no fight left and he sobbed in the middle of the ring, begging Michaels to give him one last blow. Michaels was torn between ending a legend’s career and continuing his own legacy, uttering the infamous words “I’m sorry, I love you”, before hitting Flair with a superkick and beating him down. His dramatic play continued after the match as he continued to look saddened by what he had to do.

1

Roman Reigns becomes the tribal leader

Reigns’ game was sensational in Hell in a Cell

• Reigns went too far at Hell In A Cell and cemented his heel status
• He defeated his cousin Jey Uso
• Reigns’ play in this match was among the best ever

One of the best dramatic performances in professional wrestling history took place during WWE’s pandemic period when Roman Reigns defeated Jey Uso in a Hell In A Cell “I Quit” match for the Universal Championship. Reigns beat his cousin before shedding tears in the ring and contemplating the person he was becoming.

These turned out to be crocodile tears as he picked himself up and put both feet to becoming the tribal leader, going too far and not being able to look back. It was a truly breathtaking performance that could have been possible if a live audience had been present. WWE took full advantage of the ThunderDome era with this dramatic match.