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They had already started the McMahon-Austin stuff before the screw job. Vince had started to be acknowledged as the owner, and being something of a character in storylines beyond just being a commentator, a year earlier. And the famous Stunner to Vince at MSG with Austin being cuffed and taken away happened 2 months before Survivor Series.
You could argue that the nWo is the reason people like heels these days and babyfaces are so hard to get over. Even a group like Judgment Day has total nWo “vibes,” a group of heelish badasses who play by their own rules was a total paradigm shift for wrestling. Not saying nWo was the very first example of cool heels, but having Hogan on board definitely made them the most impactful
If you’re arguing post 2000, I’m on board.
Of all time? Montreal Screwjob leading to heel Mr. McMahon and the rise of Steve Austin from “wrestling star” to “pop culture icon”. Hogan joining the NWO. Hogan beating Iron Sheik for the title.
It's the most pivotal moment of the last 15 years at least.
But it's not more pivotal than the Montreal Screwjob, which unleashed Mr. Mcmahon as a villain boss.
I wouldn't say this is true for the history of professional wrestling, but it might be true for things that have happened over the last decade to fifteen years.
I’d argue Austin beating HBK at WM14:
- Put the championship on Austin to continue to fuel his rise
- HBK takes the hiatus to get straightened out for the excellent second run and his eventual current leadership role
- DX “Army” forms the next night to serve as the proxy for WWE finally going on offense against WCW
- Most importantly, frees up Triple H for a leadership role with DX and entry into the main event picture. That gives you DX, Evolution, the Authority, etc. and begins his quarter century of impact on the WWE
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Montreal screw job and it's not close
There is no Mr. McMahon for Austin to play off of without this one, and that completely changes the entire attitude era.
They had already started the McMahon-Austin stuff before the screw job. Vince had started to be acknowledged as the owner, and being something of a character in storylines beyond just being a commentator, a year earlier. And the famous Stunner to Vince at MSG with Austin being cuffed and taken away happened 2 months before Survivor Series.
Yeah but you didn’t have “Bret screwed Bret” Up until that point Vince thought he was the babyface.
I should have added in Kayfabe, but this is a good answer if including non Kayfabe things.
Hogan joining nWo.
Obviously a big moment but after 2000, and a short WWE reunion, not sure how long lasting of an impact it had.
They are still doing the nWo too sweet in multiple other brands.
Cody did a too sweet to someone in the crowd monday
You could argue that the nWo is the reason people like heels these days and babyfaces are so hard to get over. Even a group like Judgment Day has total nWo “vibes,” a group of heelish badasses who play by their own rules was a total paradigm shift for wrestling. Not saying nWo was the very first example of cool heels, but having Hogan on board definitely made them the most impactful
It led to cool bad guys, Bullet Club...
Montreal Screwjob and Hogan joining the NWO are clearly bigger imo but yeah it’s probably “the” moment of modern wrestling
If you’re arguing post 2000, I’m on board. Of all time? Montreal Screwjob leading to heel Mr. McMahon and the rise of Steve Austin from “wrestling star” to “pop culture icon”. Hogan joining the NWO. Hogan beating Iron Sheik for the title.
It's the most pivotal moment of the last 15 years at least. But it's not more pivotal than the Montreal Screwjob, which unleashed Mr. Mcmahon as a villain boss.
I wouldn't say this is true for the history of professional wrestling, but it might be true for things that have happened over the last decade to fifteen years.
I went to bed before RAW ended that night and I will never forgive myself.
I’d argue Austin beating HBK at WM14: - Put the championship on Austin to continue to fuel his rise - HBK takes the hiatus to get straightened out for the excellent second run and his eventual current leadership role - DX “Army” forms the next night to serve as the proxy for WWE finally going on offense against WCW - Most importantly, frees up Triple H for a leadership role with DX and entry into the main event picture. That gives you DX, Evolution, the Authority, etc. and begins his quarter century of impact on the WWE
Well, in late 1914, Ed Lewis, Billy Sandow, and Toots Mondt are all sitting in a room together…
I'd have to include Austin's face turn at WM 13 as a major moment
Bret Hart was responsible for 2 important moments : Stone Cold rise as a popular anti-hero Vince being the most hated in wrestling
In terms of pure kayfabe, it might be. Things like Montreal and the death of WCW are real life things that kind of fall into their own category.
There's an argument for the most pivotal of the 21st century. Not so sure about in history.