This week in WWE history: Popular superstar tragically passes away, legend wins final championship (May 15-May 21)
WWE has had another busy week. With Night of Champions 2023 set to stream next Saturday, all eyes are on the big-time event scheduled to take place live from Saudi Arabia. Several big matches have been announced for the show, but major bouts are also taking on the weekly television show.
Monday Night RAW featured Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens battling The Judgment Day, while Friday Night SmackDown kept the tag team main events coming with LWO battling The Usos. Additionally, a new episode of NXT aired on Tuesday.
While the modern product is exciting for many viewers, some fans prefer to relive their favorite moments from the past. Thankfully, Sportskeeda has you covered with weekly lookbacks at some of the biggest moments in the company's illustrious history.
This week's edition will look back at a legend's final championship win, a major main roster debut, a shocking character change, and even the tragic passing of a beloved superstar. What went down this week?
Below are five key events that happened this week in WWE history.
#5. Bret Hart won his last title on WWE RAW on May 17th, 2010
WWE RAW took place on May 17th, 2010, live from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The show was a big one, as it featured a rare match from Bret "The Hitman" Hart following his return to the company earlier that same year.
Fans know Bret had left the company following the infamous Montreal Screwjob, but he and WWE eventually mended fences. This led to Bret battling The Miz in a No DQ and No Countout bout.
While Hart was obviously past his prime by this point, he shockingly won the United States Championship thanks to help from David Hart Smith, Natalya, and Tyson Kidd, collectively known as The Hart Dynasty. This was Bret's last-ever championship reign, albeit a brief one.
#4. Shad Gaspard tragically passed away on May 17th, 2020
On the third anniversary of your death, we remember you.
Shad Gaspard will forever be a true hero and never forgotten ❤️ https://t.co/xsvcccdS32
Shad Gaspard is known best to WWE fans as one-half of the Cryme Tyme tag team alongside JTG. The popular duo had an abundance of charisma, which caused fans to fall in love with them.
Unfortunately, Shad was released by WWE on November 19, 2010, but he was still beloved by both fans and wrestlers alike. While he became famous for pro wrestling, he is now perhaps best known for being a hero.
Gaspard passed away on May 17th, 2020. He and a group of swimmers got caught in a strong rip current. When the lifeguards came to save as many people as possible, Shad insisted them to save his son first. Sadly, the tide was too much, and Shad passed away. While his passing is heartbreaking, he will forever be known as a hero.
#3. Kevin Owens debuts on RAW and attacked John Cena on May 18th, 2015
8 years ago today, Kevin Owens made his Raw debut and answered John Cena’s US Open Challenge.
One of the greatest debuts ever. https://t.co/JiJOh3x3IF
The May 18th, 2015, edition of WWE RAW took place live from Richmond, Virginia. While many big matches and segments took place, the one fans remember most featured the debut of Kevin Owens on the main roster.
John Cena was the reigning United States Champion at this point and regularly held open challenges for the belt. When he did so on RAW, NXT Champion Kevin Owens shockingly appeared. The two then began to send verbal barbs back and forth.
Instead of accepting the bout, however, KO tricked Cena and laid the United States Champion out with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. They would eventually fight, but their match didn't take place on this night. Instead, Kevin stood tall over a hurt John, cementing his status as a star.
#2. The infamous "Curtain Call" incident took place on May 19th, 1996
I kinda love that I’m at Madison Square Garden on the 27th anniversary of the Kliq Curtain Call. https://t.co/UXJgEE8uIa
March 19th, 1996, was an infamous day in wrestling history, but fans around the world didn't know why for quite some time. The moment that caused a major stir backstage and in the industry happened at a live event.
Then-rivals Shawn Michaels and Diesel wrestled in the main event of the house show. While they were rivals on-screen, they were friends behind the scenes and part of The Kliq alongside Razor Ramon and Triple H.
With Razor and Diesel set to go to WCW, this was their last show together. As a result, after the main event, all four men greeted in the ring and hugged to end the show, breaking kayfabe.
Veterans were furious, although today, most people wouldn't even raise a brow. The business has since changed, and it could be argued The Curtain Call forced it to evolve.
#1. The Undertaker shockingly returned as The American Badass at Judgment Day on May 21st, 2000
WWE Judgment Day took place on May 21st, 2000, from Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. The show is best remembered for featuring the return of The Undertaker, albeit in a surprising manner.
The Deadman had been absent since 1999 but returned to help The Rock fight off D-Generation X and The McMahon family. While he accidentally caused The Rock to get disqualified, the story wasn't what he did but how he looked.
The Undertaker wasn't the same persona fans last knew. Instead, he returned as The American Badass, riding a motorcycle to the ring and dressing more like a gothed-out biker than a mortician or satanic priest. The change was dramatic but one many fans loved.