This week in WWE history: Roman Reigns' match ruined by shock decision, major star wins first world title after 15 years (September 16-September 22)
It is an exciting time to be a WWE fan. The sports entertainment juggernaut is seemingly firing on all cylinders, with business booming at a level it never has before. The product is also arguably at a peak in terms of quality.
There is so much to enjoy about modern World Wrestling Entertainment, but it doesn't become the global titan that it has overnight. Instead, the promotion has been around under some name and in some fashion for around seven decades now.
Throughout those decades, World Wrestling Entertainment has experienced incredible growth. The company went from a local territory to a worldwide sensation and there were numerous highs and lows.
This article will take a look at some of the matches and moments that helped make the sports entertainment titan what it is today. This includes an event from the 1990s, a big title change in 2003, and beyond.
Below are major matches and moments that took place this week in WWE's history:
#4. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman fought inside Hell in a Cell on September 16, 2018
The first entry on this week's list is also the most recent. WWE held their Hell in a Cell Premium Live Event on September 16, 2018. This show took place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Around 15,000 fans were in attendance for this big WWE show that featured Roman Reigns defending the Universal Championship against Braum Strowman inside Hell in a Cell. Not only that, but Mick Foley was the special guest referee. Unfortunately, the ending of the match left much to be desired.
Instead of any kind of definitive winner being decided, Brock Lesnar returned to programming and attacked both Braun and Roman. In one of the worst Hell in a Cell finishes ever, a referee decided neither man could continue and the match ended in a no contest. The shocking return and decision ruined what could've been a memorable match.
#3. Mark Henry and Randy Orton battled at Night of Champions on September 18, 2011
The next entry on this list is WWE Night of Champions from September 18, 2011. Around 11,000 fans were in attendance at this pay-per-view live at the First Niagara Center, which is in Buffalo, New York.
The theme of the show was meant to be that every bout had a title on the line, although the main event of CM Punk vs. Triple H broke that mold. Still, several WWE titles were on the line, including the World Heavyweight Championship.
The then reigning World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton went one-on-one with Mark Henry. After around 13 minutes, Henry nailed Orton with The World's Strongest Slam and won his first-ever world title in the process. This was a massive night in the career of The World's Strongest Man.
#2. Goldberg dethroned Triple H at Unforgiven on September 21, 2003
Unforgiven took place at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania on September 21, 2003. The show was hosted by Monday Night RAW during WWE's first brand extension and featured around 10,000 fans in attendance.
This Unforgiven Pay-Per-View featured a wealth of names from the era in action. This included the likes of Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, Shane McMahon, Chris Jericho, and Kane, among others.
The main event saw Goldberg challenge Triple H in a World Heavyweight Championship vs. Career Match. If Goldberg lost, his WWE career would have been over. Instead, Da Man won in just under 15 minutes to win a world title in World Wrestling Entertainment.
#1. Shawn Michaels and Mankind had a classic at WWE In Your House: Mind Games on September 22, 1996
The final entry on this list is also the oldest. WWE, then known as the WWF, held In Your House: Mind Games live from the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 13,000 fans attended the shortened version of a traditional pay-per-view.
The main event of the pay-per-view portion of the event saw Shawn Michaels put his WWE Championship on the line against Mankind. The two fought for over 26 minutes in an absolute classic that even a disqualification finish didn't ruin.
While The Undertaker interrupted the bout and Michaels retained, fans absolutely adore the match and many consider it one of the best both Mankind and Michaels ever had. On a show with forgettable matches such as Jose Lothario vs. Jim Cornette, Mark Henry vs. Jerry Lawler, and Savio Vega vs. Justin Hawk Bradshaw, this main event stood out.