2017 was certainly a year, wasn’t it? We had a lot of title changes, retirements, health scares, and it seemed like WWE ramped up their storylines on TV and PPV. With all that in mind, we’ve gathered the 20 most iconic (no, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce didn’t make this list), controversial, shocking, and memorable moments from wrestling this past year.
Here are the 2017 Best Wrestling Moments
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Let’s start off with a moment that came from a legend letting his real thoughts get out about the Undertaker, Triple H, and pizza.
20. Scott Steiner’s Amazing Press Conference
Scott Steiner is a legend in and out of the ring. The Big Bad Booty Daddy is past his prime physically, but he can still cut an epic promo in and out of the ring! While promoting a show for Impact Wrestling, Steiner was asked an array of questions. In classic fashion, Steiner held nothing back and had the entire wrestling world roaring with laughter. Steiner touched on everything from Triple H and Bray Wyatt, to pineapple on pizza.
Scott Steiner says no pineapple on pizza.
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) June 28, 2017
Next up was a moment that wasn’t funny – but frightening.
19. Sexy Star Shoots on Rosemary
During a luchadora match, Mexican wrestler Sexy Star began working stiff with the other ladies in the match. This culminated in Sexy Star putting GFW/Impact star Rosemary in an armbar and refusing to release the hold after Rosemary tapped out. The result was Rosemary separating her shoulder. The backlash from the wrestling community was universal. Promoters and fellow wrestlers banned Sexy Star from performing.
Up next, another unfortunate incident but with a much happier ending.
18. JBL vs. Mauro Ranallo
One of the darker moments this year was the story behind Mauro Ranallo’s abrupt departure from WWE in April. Originally blamed on a winter storm, it later came out that Mauro was the victim of bullying at the hands of fellow SmackDown commentator JBL. The tide turned hard against Layfield as “Fire JBL” chants took over several broadcasts. Eventually, Mauro came back to commentate on NXT and JBL left WWE to pursue philanthropic opportunities.
17. Asuka’s Debut and Run
Asuka’s domination and eventual debut arrive on our list next. Never in the history of WWE has the company treated a female talent with such fear and reverence. She steamrolled her way through NXT, setting records and becoming a dominating unbeaten force. WWE looks to continue that on the main roster. Since her debut, she has dealt with Emma, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, and members of the Smackdown Roster with relative ease. What does 2018 hold for her? Hopefully, a title run and her continued streak. Who is ready for Asuka? We are.
Speaking of destruction, our next moment was the most destructive of the year.
16. Roman Reigns Tries to Murder Braun Strowman
No two stars in WWE had bigger years than Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. The two ran through their opponents and each other before meeting in an Ambulance match at the curiously named “Great Balls of Fire” PPV in July. The match was good, but it’s what happened AFTER that had the wrestling world shocked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xedAKeErWpU&t=28s
Strowman limping away from the scene just added to his mystique. As we’ll see later on in the countdown, Strowman spent all of 2017 proving he was the Monster Among Men.
15. WarGames Returns
WWE plays a tricky game with nostalgia. They love history, so long as its the version they want to be told. WWE hit us right in the history feels with the return of the classic WCW match format WARGAMES for an NXT show. Though the format differed a bit from the original, it was still two rings surrounded by steel with a bunch of wrestlers trying to murder each other. Hopefully, we can bring the Bunkhouse Stampede and Coal Miner’s Glove match back next!
14. John Cena Proposes to Nikki Bella at Wrestlemania
We all knew it was coming, but John Cena proposing to Nikki Bella at Wrestlemania was a moment even the most cynical of wrestling fans could love. Devoted fans saw John and Nikki’s relationship develop over the years on Total Divas and Total Bellas. Not since Macho Man reunited with Elizabeth has true love ever been on display so powerfully.
Next up, the dirtiest feud that took place out of the ring.
13. The Bullet Club vs. WWE
WWE is the juggernaut in the world of wrestling, but 2017 was the first time in years that other companies shook the Worldwide Leader just a little bit. First was the merry band of wrestling pranksters known as the Bullet Club. The team that dominates Japan and Ring of Honor began to taunt WWE with the use of the “Too Sweet” and the “Suck it!” taunt, even putting it on t-shirts. This came to a head when the BC tried to “invade” WWE. The video was a joke, but WWE ended up slapping the team with a “Cease and Desist” and firing a production team member for taking a picture with the invaders (pictured above).
Next up, WWE answers a challenge with a new title.
12. The Debut of the UK Title
Besides the US, wrestling is extremely popular in Mexico and Japan. But it was from the UK that WWE faced their biggest challenge of the year. With the rise of several indie promotions on the British Isles, WWE took advantage of the buzz by recruiting some of the realm’s best to crown the first WWE United Kingdom Champion. Britain’s best put on a great show. Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, and Trent Seven became instant stars here and abroad, and WWE secured their foothold in the region in the process.
In 2017, WWE showed their willingness to evolve, but some old tricks still really worked as we’ll see in the next item.
11. The Many Physical Feats of Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is big. He had a bigger 2017. The Monster Among Men steamrolled through dozens of competitors and pulled off some amazing feats of power in the process. He flipped one ambulance and crawled from the wreckage of another. He broke the ring – twice. What will Braun do in 2018?
Speaking of destruction, our #10 moment is more like a series of destructive moments and stupid decisions.
10. The Paige/Del Rio Saga
Nothing this year was more cringey or disappointing than the chemical-spill train-wreck that was the now-over relationship between Paige and Alberto Del Rio/El Patron.
It was bad enough that Patron was going on drunken rants that were jeopardizing Paige’s WWE career. But everything took a turn towards the dark when Patron and later Paige were both accused of verbal and physical abuse. The incident led to Patron being stripped of his titles and fired from GFW and other promotions. Thankfully, the situation solved itself and the two are no longer together. Paige is back in WWE; Patron is back in Impact wrestling. But at the time, many speculated that their careers were over.
Another surprising comeback started in 2016, but it reached its zenith in the early part of 2017.
9. Goldberg Wins the Universal Title
Goldberg shockingly returned in 2016, defeating Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series in classic Goldberg fashion. But it was in 2017 that WWE went the true extra mile. The most feared wrestler of WCW challenged for and won the WWE Universal Championship from Kevin Owens. While the run was brief, Goldberg proved that nearly 20 years later he still had the look and (some) of the skill to go.
From a nostalgic run to a long-time star FINALLY getting his moment. No. 9 was a moment that many had given up on.
8. Bray Wyatt Pins John Cena to Win the WWE Title
Ever since Bray Wyatt debuted, he has filled the role of a comic book villain. Evil and calculating, but always losing to the good guy in the end. That changed at the 2017 Elimination Chamber PPV. Facing off against Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and WWE Champion John Cena, not only did Wyatt win the match, but he pinned Cena and Styles clean. A lot of us were excited about the possibilities. Unfortunately, it ended when Wyatt lost to Randy Orton at Wrestlemania and then again in the “House of Horrors” match. Wyatt returned to old form, but for a brief moment, the Eater Of Worlds was on top of one.
Next up, the women get a chance to make history.
7. The Mae Young Classic
The Mae Young Classic was more proof positive that WWE is finally taking women’s wrestling seriously. Much like the Cruiserweight Classic, the tournament saw 32 women from around the world compete for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. Piper Niven, Toni Storm, Kairi Sane, Shayna Bazsler and others made names for themselves, proving that the future of women’s wrestling is bright.
But this next moment, despite some controversy, was the biggest event for women in WWE all year.
6. Women’s Money In The Bank
Slowly but surely the women are being held to the same standard as the men. Longer, better matches. Feuds that are beyond stereotypical female cattiness. And finally, a chance to try out the gimmick matches. The female Money in the Bank match was a great chance for women to show off. And they did. But the moment will forever be remembered for James Ellsworth’s interference and ascending of the ladder to grab the briefcase for Carmella. But it was all part of the plan. Carmella was turned into a heel and still holds the case to this day. With rumors that a Women’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber are coming in 2018, this will forever be a first step in the Women’s Revolution.
Next up was another young star getting a chance – but on a much bigger target.
5. Kevin Owens Roughs Up Vince McMahon
When it was announced that Vince McMahon would come to Smackdown to meet with Kevin Owens, the situation could have gone many ways. Either Vince could be supporting Owens, in his true heel style as chairman of the board, or Vince could come out to defend his family. During SmackDown Live, it became clear that Vince was coming out to defend his family.
Things would take a terrible turn for the chairman of the board, though, because Vince gave Owens permission to “beat a McMahon senseless.” The result was Vince being headbutted by the former “New Face of America.”
From one old man getting beat up, to another one on his deathbed. This one was less exciting and more frightening.
4. Ric Flair’s Health Scare and Recovery
On a personal note, 2017 was a tough year for me. Both of my grandfathers, my idols and heroes and biggest supporters, suddenly died within a month of each other. Not a month later, I learned that the Nature Boy Ric Flair was placed in a medically-induced coma and fighting for his life. For a few weeks, we didn’t know if we would lose Naitch. Thankfully he pulled through. Flair has stated that his partying days are behind him and he’s clean and healthy. I hope that lasts and we get to see plenty more of Flair for years to come.
3. The Shield Reunion
I didn’t think this would happen. I was fairly adamant we wouldn’t get a Shield reunion this year. All three members still had plenty of single’s gas. But circumstances and plans change and late this fall, the Hounds of Justice returned to vanquish foes and fight for Justice. Though not as deadly as in time past, the three are back to old form. All three ended the year with gold and look to have a massive 2018.
Our No. 2 moment was a DELIGHTFUL surprise.
2. The Hardys Return at Wrestlemania
No one had a better 2016 outside of WWE than the Hardys. Their “Broken” re-branding was so successful that rumors flew that they were returning to WWE after seven years. The only question was when. Leave it to WWE to save the biggest surprise of the year for the biggest moment of the year. Not only did the Hardys make a grand return at Wrestlemania, but they also won the Raw Tag Titles in the process. Far from a “nostalgic” run, both Matt and Jeff have proven that “they still got it.” It looks like they’ll be around for a while.
Our No. 1 moment occurred the same night. It was the end of an era and the beginning of a year’s worth of questioning.
1. Undertaker’s Final Match(?)
The Undertaker was defeated by Roman Reigns in a brutal match at Wrestlemania 33.
The Deadman ate four of Reigns’s spears before finally being pinned. Reigns then left the ring and Undertaker continued to lay on the mat.
After a few moments, he stood up and put on his hat and coat.
Then in the middle of the ring, he ceremoniously removed his fighting gloves, coat, and finally his hat with one final thunderclap and lightning strike, leaving his gear in the ring.
He walked out of the ring and kissed his wife, former WWE Diva Michelle McCool.
Then the Undertaker began stepping up the ramp, looked back at the crowd with tears in his eyes and put his fist up one more time.
Vintage #Undertaker as the lights go out at #WrestleMania… pic.twitter.com/CEV8rUIbMQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2017
It was an emotional moment. But was it the end? We don’t know for sure. There has been no official word on Undertaker’s status yet. Rumors are that he’s planning to officially retire at Wrestlemania in New Orleans. What we know for sure is that he left his gear and his legacy in the ring that night.
Agree with our list of the 2017 best wrestling moments? Disagree with it?
Leave us a comment and let us know what we missed out on in the comments section below!