This week in WWE history: The Undertaker sets a new record, massive moment in Sheamus' career (November 25-December 1)
WWE continues to ride a wave of momentum. Nearly 18,000 fans were in Vancouver for Survivor Series WarGames this weekend. On top of that, NXT Deadline will take place this upcoming Saturday.
From there, the Sports Entertainment juggernaut has a wave of big events. Saturday Night's Main Event returns later this month and the RAW on Netflix premiere takes place on January 6. Afterward, the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania will all be major stadium events.
While World Wrestling Entertainment is currently in a boom period, there have been numerous highs and lows over the years. With 70+ years of history as a promotion, it only makes sense that there would be ups and downs.
This article will take a look at major matches, moments, and events from the company's long and illustrious history. This includes the first-ever Survivor Series, a major title change, and the crowning of a King of the Ring.
Below are four major matches and moments from this week in WWE history:
#4. The first-ever Survivor Series event took place on November 26, 1987
The first entry on this week's list is quite fitting, as it is the first-ever Survivor Series in WWE history. WWF put on the pay-per-view on November 26, 1987. Over 21,000 fans were reportedly in attendance at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield Township, Ohio.
Just four matches were featured on the WWE card, but that's because each bout received plenty of time. The longest match was the bout before the main event, which lasted for 37 minutes. The shortest bout on the card was the second match, which lasted for around 20 minutes.
The main event saw Hulk Hogan team up with Bam Bam Bigelow, Don Muraco, Ken Patera, and Paul Orndorff to take on Andre the Giant, Butch Reed, One Man Gang, King Kong Bundy, and Rick Rude. Hulk Hogan was counted out, which led to Andre the Giant last defeating Bam Bam Bigelow to win the match for his team.
#3. The Undertaker won the WWE Title at Survivor Series on November 28, 1991
Speaking of Hulk Hogan, he had a major role in the second entry on this week's list. WWE held another edition of Survivor Series, this time on Wednesday, November 27, 1991. The show took place at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Over 17,000 fans were in attendance for the main card of WWE Survivor Series 1991. The card featured four Traditional Survivor Series Matches, but it was a singles contest that everybody remembers over 30 years later.
Hulk Hogan defended the WWF Championship against The Undertaker. Thanks to a chair placed under Hogan's head by Ric Flair, The Deadman defeated The Hulkster after a Tombstone Piledriver to make history and become the youngest WWF Champion in history at the time. This impressive record was later beaten by the likes of Yokozuna, The Rock, and Brock Lesnar.
#2. Sasha Banks won the RAW Women's Title on the red brand on November 28, 2016
WWE Monday Night RAW took place on November 28, 2016. This edition of the red brand aired live from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event featured two championship matches.
One of the championship matches was for the RAW Tag Team Titles. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who had only recently joined WWE, challenged The New Day. They ultimately failed to win the gold, however.
The more memorable title match was a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Charlotte Flair defended the RAW Women's Championship against Sasha Banks. In around 16 minutes, The Boss made Flair tap out by putting her in the Bank Statement using a handrail to add pressure.
#1. Sheamus won King of the Ring on RAW on November 29, 2010
The final entry on this list comes from another episode of WWE Monday Night RAW. The red brand held a special edition of the show on Monday, November 29, 2010, live from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This edition of Monday Night RAW featured the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals of the 2010 King of the Ring Tournament. Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio defeated Daniel Bryan, John Morrison defeated Cody Rhodes, Sheamus defeated Kofi Kingston, and Ezekiel Jackson vs. Drew McIntyre went to a double countout.
From there, Sheamus received a bye into the finals and John Morrison defeated Alberto Del Rio to advance. Lastly, Sheamus defeated John Morrison in about 12 minutes to become the King of the Ring. He went on to be King Sheamus, wearing a crown and everything, for quite a bit after this victory.