Top 20 Wrestling Moments That Broke The Internet

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at the biggest moments that made the wrestling world stand still.

#20: Bron Breakker Spears iShowSpeed

When it comes to the WWE, this social media star doesnt know when to quit. Despite a brutal RKO through the announce table at WrestleMania XL, Speed was all too pleased to join the 2025 Royal Rumble match. Though he managed one elimination, that's where his moment of glory ended. Getting a little too comfortable, Speed turned a blind eye to Bron Breakker, who proceeded to destroy the former with a spear for the ages. The moment exploded on social media as soon as it happened. Breakers spear looks so real, its like watching a predator tear through its prey. Thanks to his incredible selling, Speed had millions believing hed just survived a near-death experience.

#19: Goldberg Squashes Lesnar in 86 Seconds

Fans hijacked Goldberg and Lesnars WrestleMania XX match, leaving it with a bitter legacy. Fast-forward twelve years, and Lesnar was a former UFC champion, the 1 in 21 and 1, and the man who destroyed John Cena. Having been out of action since 2004, Goldberg seemed like another legend destined to fall before the Beast. However, it turned out to be one of the most shocking squashes in wrestling history. Just 1 minute and 26 seconds in, and the match was over. After years of dominance, the Beast was finally humbled, and all the WWE Universe could do was watch in disbelief. WWE set the trap with a flawless bait-and-switch, and by the end, fans were forced to appreciate just how brilliantly theyd been misled.

#18: The People Believe in Joe Hendry

The WWE-TNA partnership has opened doors that many once believed were impossible. No ones benefited from this more than Joe Hendry. Sure, hes solid in the ring and on the mic, but the key to his rise is based entirely on one thing: his theme song. Catchy, upbeat, and with a feel-good charm, Hendrys entrance has captured millions of fans, springboarding him into mainstream popularity. Each time his name is spoken and he appears, arenas erupt to chant his song. The culmination of his meteoric rise was seen at WrestleMania 41, with more than 60,000 members of the WWE Universe cheering for him like a returning hometown hero. And just to be clear, we wont deny it: We believe in Joe Hendry!

#17: The Nexus Debut

Raw had grown predictable during the PG Era, and fans werent used to surprises anymore. Meanwhile, the original NXT struggled with its pseudo-reality show format. But all that changed the night the original group of NXT rookies stormed Raw. Led by Wade Barrett, the faction soon-to-be-called Nexus interrupted what seemed like a routine main event, and unleashed unbridled chaos. From dismantling the entire ringside to attacking everyone in sight, the Nexus tore through the WWE like never before. Even lapsed fans found themselves turning back in for the hottest angle in years. Although the Nexus never reached the same heights again, their debut united fans both past and present for a moment that still lands with the same impact as it did back then.

#16: Bored at Work Drew McIntyre

Few superstars have connected with fans as creatively as Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior hijacked CM Punks feud with Seth Rollins after the formers injury, earning a world championship at WrestleMania XL. During the match, McIntyre made a bold new move: posting a selfie with the caption, Bored at Work. Unprecedented and outrageous, the post bridged the gap between wrestlers and the audience, almost as if offering fans a front-row seat of the Grandest Stage of Them All. He would double down the following year at WrestleMania 41, sharing another cheeky selfie, this time at Damien Priests expense. The enormous reception to these posts shows just how much fans cherish this window into the WWE world, making them truly feel like part of the action.

#15: Hulk Hogan Gets Booed Out of the Arena

Once the unquestioned golden goose of the WWE, the Hulksters stock has plummeted over the last decade. From a racism scandal, to leaked private videos, and to controversial political views, Hogan no longer commands the respect he once did. But while much of this criticism lived behind our screens, the audiences contempt was unmistakable during Raws Netflix debut. Returning as part of the shows legacy and lets face it, to promote his Real American Beer the WWE Universe was far from kind to the Immortal. The reaction felt like a collective statement, as if the Internet Wrestling Community itself had filled the arena just to say, This doesnt work for us, brother.

#14: John Cena Turns Heel

Much like Hulk Hogans iconic WCW heel turn, this one sent ripples far beyond the squared circle. And considering he was the heroic face of the WWE since 2003, John Cenas turn was one for the history books. Many had long given up on it ever happening, so the fact that it arrived smack-dab in the middle of his retirement tour hit like an Attitude Adjustment. With a single nod from former archnemesis The Rock, Cena sold out on two decades of hustle, loyalty, and respect. In the blink of an eye, one of WWEs most beloved heroes became its most despicable villain. In the end, Cena lived up to his catchphrase because we really did NOT see him or this coming.

#13: CM Punk Debuts in AEW

As any wrestling fan worth their salt knows that a wrestling retirement is just another way of saying See you later. For seven years, CM Punk seemed to defy this rule. However, his return ignited the AEW crowd with such intensity that the entire wrestling world was forced to pay attention. Everyone knew it was coming, yet it still felt surreal in every way. His entrance wasnt just loud, it was seismic, as the thunderous crowd sent shockwaves through the arena and into our screens. The electricity was too good to miss, and even die-hard WWE loyalists tuned in to catch this once-in-a-lifetime reaction. Though Punks AEW run ultimately crashed and burned, the magic of that night remains untouchable.

#12: Edge Comes Out of Retirement

For nine years, Edges retirement felt like one of wrestlings greatest tragedies. A career cut short by injury, it seemed the Rated R Superstar was gone for good. But at the 2020 Royal Rumble, one of the most feel-good comeback stories began its first chapter. All it took were the opening notes of his theme song, and fans both home and in attendance erupted. More so than anyone in the crowd, it was Edge who felt it the most, his face reflecting incredible gratitude and overwhelming emotion. Watching him share the ring with stars like AJ Styles and Roman Reigns was a surreal, dream-come-true moment that sent the internet into a frenzy, much like the explosive pyro that marked Edges return.

#11: Seth Rollins Betrays the Shield

Arguably the greatest betrayal in modern wrestling history, The Shield, still hot into their dominant run, were shattered beyond repair with a chair to the back. Despite firmly cementing themselves at the top of the WWE, the trio imploded in spectacular fashion. Seth Rollins, the architect of The Shield, became its executioner, aligning with Triple H and the Authority. Fans were left speechless, unable to comprehend the ruthlessness with which Rollins severed all ties with his former brothers. It marked a permanent turning point in the WWE, propelling all three members into main-event status. Still, for many fans, it remains just as heartbreaking today as it was on that night so long ago.

#10: Montreal Screwjob

The Montreal Screwjob may have occurred in 1997, before the advent of modern social media, but its deeply controversial nature reverberated everywhere including the internet. In fact, its often regarded as the first wrestling event to ignite widespread outrage among online fans - lighting up plenty of chatrooms. The real-life act of betrayal unfolded during the 1997 Survivor Series, where Vince McMahon infamously screwed Bret Hart out of his championship in front of a stunned Montreal crowd, this to ensure Bret didnt bring the top title to rival WCW. Decades later, fans still scrutinize the incident, fueling an online debate that remains as intense now as it was back then.#9: Cody Rhodes Returns to WWE

After helping build All Elite Wrestling from the ground up as a founding Executive Vice President, Cody Rhodes shocked the world by returning to the company he famously exited: WWE. This full-circle moment immediately ignited the internet, with fans and critics alike buzzing about the Prodigal Son's return and what it meant for both companies. His emotional entrance at WrestleMania 38, coupled with a high-profile match against Seth Rollins, cemented Codys comeback as one of the biggest wrestling stories of the year. The return also added plenty of fuel to the online rivalry between AEW and WWE fans.

#8: The Final Deletion

This bizarre and over-the-top match between Matt and Jeff Hardy in TNA became nothing short of a viral sensation. Matt Hardy's glorious descent into his "Broken" persona culminated in "The Final Deletion," a match against his brother Jeff at the Hardy compound in Cameron, North Carolina. Unlike anything seen before in professional wrestling, the uniquely cinematic brawl featured everything from tree dives to fireworks to Señor Benjamin. It became an instant internet phenomenon, spawning countless memes and reactions not to mention a sequel. The Final Deletion's unexpected virality proved the potential of alternative wrestling storytelling, opening the door for more cinematic matches.

#7: Brock Lesnars Night After WrestleMania Comeback

Surprise appearances in professional wrestling are a thing of beauty. Take John Cena's unexpected entry in the 2008 Royal Rumble. Or, imagine if Chris Jerichos 1999 WWE debut happened in the social media era - it wouldve trended instantly! Of course, few compare to Brock Lesnars shocking comeback in 2012. After leaving for a high-profile UFC career, Lesnar stunned everyone the night after WrestleMania 28. Marching to the ring, Brock delivered a devastating F5 to Cena, igniting an intense frenzy online. Yep, everyone seemingly lost their minds as the dominating force of the UFC had returned to the WWE, blurring the lines between pro wrestling and mixed martial arts in the process.

#6: The Rock vs. John Cena

If social media had been as pervasive as it is today, The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18 would surely have sent the internet into overdrive. However, that legendary dream match no doubt set the stage for another historic showdown years later. The Rock and John Cenas 2012 WrestleMania match was another battle of icons that transcended wrestling and captured widespread attention. Announced a year in advance, the bout generated immense hype, much of it fueled online. Fans of varying generations flocked to social media to express their enthusiasm and opinions on the Rock and Cenas first encounter, demonstrating that wrestling could still engage the public on a massive scale.

#5: WWE Buys WCW

To say that the wrestling industry changed forever when WWE purchased its biggest competitor, WCW, in 2001, would be a wee bit of an understatement. The once fierce Monday Night Wars had suddenly come to an end, with WWE standing tall as the victor. This monumental acquisition, not to mention the subsequent storyline revelations, sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. It also set online discussion into overdrive, with fans visiting forums and news sites to ponder the ramifications. This mainly dial up internet shattering moment led to more jaw-dropping instances, as former WCW talent would appear on WWE programming in the future - breaking the internet all over again.#4: AEW Debut

Sticking with industry-altering events, the launch of All Elite Wrestling was a ground-breaking moment, providing an alternative mainstream platform to WWE. Spearheaded by industry performers and backed by the wealthy Khan family, AEWs arrival sent shockwaves through the online wrestling community. The company's debut event, Double or Nothing, and the appearances of major stars the likes of Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley instantly legitimized the new company. Online discussions about a new era of competition in pro wrestling grew to critical mass with the premiere of AEWs weekly TV show, Dynamite. With that, its safe to say that the internet played a significant role in spreading AEW's vision.#3: The Yes Movement

Daniel Bryan's underdog rise to the top of WWE, fueled by the echoes of "Yes!" chants, became a genuine phenomenon. It not only captivated audiences live in the arena, but dominated social media, even crossing over into mainstream pop culture. This organic groundswell of support, amplified by the internet fanbase, propelled Bryan to the main event of WrestleMania 30, culminating in one of the most emotionally charged and feel-good victories in wrestling history. The journey of the "Yes Movement" was a testament to the power of fan support and its ability to truly influence storylines in the digital age.

#2: CM Punks Pipe Bomb

On a June 2011 episode of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk grabbed a microphone and delivered the most viral promo in all of pro wrestling. Referred to as the Pipe Bomb, Punk would go on to blur the lines of what was real and not by addressing real-life grievances in an unfiltered manner all while sitting cross-legged on the stage. Punk managed to resonate with disenfranchised fans of the company, sparking immediate reactions online. The internet community dissected every word, speculating about how much was in fact unscripted. In the end, the promo transcended wrestling norms giving jaded fans something to get excited about.

#1: The End of the Streak

For 21 years, The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania was considered a sacred cornerstone of WWE lore, with many believing it would never be broken. So, when Brock Lesnar did the unthinkable and actually conquered The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania 30, it generated widespread disbelief. Stunned reactions spread across the internet - becoming one of the most talked about wrestling moments of all time. Social media exploded as outlets reported on the historic moment, one that wrestling fans thought theyd never see. The end of the streak not only crushed the hearts of Undertaker supporters, but broke the damn internet in the process.

Which wrestling moment lives rent-free in your head? Let us know in the comments.