This week in WWE history: Vince McMahon reveals shocking return; Big E wins prestigious title (December 23-December 29)
WWE has a huge week or two ahead. Tonight's RAW will be in front of nearly 15,000 fans, while the upcoming SmackDown will see the show move to a three-hour format, and then RAW next week will premiere on Netflix. On top of that, NXT is set to have a special show called New Year's Evil on January 7.
While there is a ton to look forward to, there's also a wealth of history for fans to look back at. World Wrestling Entertainment has existed in some form for over 70 years now, and much of that history is documented in text or video form.
This article will take a look back at this week in the company's illustrious history and pinpoint some major matches and moments. Due to it being a holiday week, each entry is actually from a television show as opposed to a massive premium live event. What went down?
Below are four major matches, moments, and events in WWE history:
#4. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan became unlikely champions on RAW on December 25, 2017
WWE Monday Night RAW aired live on December 25, 2017. This was an extremely rare case of a live episode of RAW on Christmas Day. The show took place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
The show was booked during what many believe was a downtime for WWE's main roster, but it featured a shocking title change in the main event. The unlikely duo of Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan won the RAW Tag Team Title.
The two, who weren't exactly good friends, defeated Sheamus and the erstwhile Cesaro, collectively known as The Bar. This eventually led to a fun dynamic of the two not quite getting along, setting up a potential heel run from Jordan. Unfortunately, he was instead injured and never returned to the ring.
#3. Big E and Sami Zayn had a Lumberjack Match on SmackDown on December 25, 2020
The next entry on this list is from another Christmas Day program, but this one was pre-taped. WWE SmackDown aired on the FOX Network on December 25, 2020. Due to this show taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, SmackDown was held in front of no live fans in attendance.
The show featured three title matches, including Roman Reigns in action. The main event featured the WWE Intercontinental Championship, with Big E challenging then-champion Sami Zayn for the title.
However, it wasn't a standard match, as they locked horns in a Lumberjack Match. Sami tried to escape the ring at one point but was tossed back in only to be hit by The Big Ending. Big E then pinned Sami, and other wrestlers celebrated by hoisting the former New Day member on their shoulders in what was a wonderful Christmas moment.
#2. American Alpha won WWE gold on SmackDown on December 27, 2016
The next entry belongs to the December 27, 2016, episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown. This edition of the blue brand was also held at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Just like a previous entry saw Jason Jordan win gold, this edition of the blue brand saw Jordan winning tag team gold. This time, he won the SmackDown Tag Team Title alongside Chad Gable.
Known as American Alpha, the two battled The Usos, Heath Slater and Rhyno, and Luke Harper and Randy Orton in a Fatal Four-Way Match. The bout was fantastic and lasted for over 23 minutes with American Alpha picking up the win and getting gold on WWE's main roster.
#1. Vince McMahon revealed Bret Hart would return to WWE during the December 28, 2009, edition of RAW
The final entry on this list belongs to an episode of Monday Night RAW from 2009. This edition of the red brand took place in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 28, 2009. John Cena vs. Sheamus was the hyped-up match for the program.
Despite that bout being relatively big for that period, and several other major matches having taken place on the card, it was a segment that stole the show. More specifically, it was an announcement from Vince McMahon.
McMahon revealed that WWE legend Bret Hart would return to the company in the following week's episode of RAW. This was massive, as it would have been the first face-to-face interaction between the two live on television since the infamous "Montreal Scr**ob" at Survivor Series 1997. As for what happened when they met, that is for a future article, but it was chaotic, to say the least.