Top 10 Wrestling Moments In 2021
What gave you goosebumps this year?
As government-imposed restrictions loosened throughout the United States while the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in the rear view, live crowds returned to pro wrestling events. Thank God, because wrasslin’ relies upon fan interaction, as you’ll see in these top 10 wrestling moments in 2021.
10. Malakai Black Debuts
AEW kicked off its return to the road in dramatic fashion, as the former Aleister Black magically appeared, interrupting Arn Anderson before knocking his head off. Just one month after being released by WWE, Black became a main event threat in that instant. He’s one of the few talents AEW didn’t fumble within his first few months in the company.
9. Christian Returns
If only this took place just a couple months later in front of an actual audience. After seven years in forced retirement, Christian came back to action as the 24th entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble, one year after his best friend Edge returned. Surprisingly, WWE didn’t see dollar signs in an E&C reunion, compelling “Captain Charisma” to sign with AEW in March.
8. The Glock
Arn Anderson’s tenure in AEW had been disappointing until September. Despite being Cody’s coach, we rarely heard from one of the greatest talkers in wrestling history. But then Double A finally snapped on his protégé, explaining the difference between them if they were carjacked. While Cody would cower like a little bitch, the Horseman would “pull out the glock…” and one of the top wrestling moments in 2021 arrived.
7. The Bulldozer Burns
Forget whatever the trick-or-treaters saw, the most horrifying thing this Halloween was Matt Tremont up in flames. One year after hanging up the boots, the deathmatch legend returned to face his old nemesis, 64-year-old Atsushi Onita, in an exploding ring match at the Trenton Thunder ballpark. “The Bulldozer” absorbed most of the punishment, including a fiery finale, in which Tremont ended up in the burn ward for nearly two weeks afterward.
6. Big E Wins Big
I’ve been checked out of WWE for a couple years now, but the buzz surrounding Big E potentially cashing in his Money in the Bank was enough to pique my interest. After Bobby Lashley retained the WWE Championship against Randy Orton, sure enough, Big E charged the ring and the match was on. As soon as E hit the Big Ending and the ref’s hand slapped the mat for the third time, the crowd came unglued. The beloved, hilarious musclehead had finally won the big one, cementing The New Day’s place as one of the greatest stables in wrestling history.
5. Hangman Reaches His Destiny
Since AEW began two years ago, “Hangman” Adam Page’s journey to the top of the mountain has been the main storyline. Even though he had jumped from Ring of Honor, Page could be considered AEW’s first homegrown star. He came oh so close to becoming the company’s first world champion at the inaugural All Out, but succumbed to Chris Jericho. For the next year, he and Kenny Omega had an uneasy alliance, where you weren’t sure who was going to betray who. Ultimately, Omega didn’t want anything to do with his drunk friend, believing he could never beat him. Well, that all changed at All Out 2021, as “Hangman” unleashed some Cowboy Shit and struck gold.
4. All Out’s Ending
AEW ended All Out with a one-two knockout of debuts. First, Adam Cole interrupted Kenny Omega, teasing tension before superkicking Jungle Boy and reuniting The Elite. As if that wasn’t enough, Bryan Danielson then came out after weeks of speculation, and exchanged blows with Cole and Company. WWE losing two top talents, including one who had just main evented WrestleMania, to the competition hadn’t happened like that since The Outsiders in the ‘90s.
3. A Riot in Atlantic City
Nobody, and I mean nobody, imagined Matt Cardona, artist formerly known as Zack Ryder, would compete in Game Changer Wrestling…let alone become its world champion. Yet, that’s exactly what happened at GCW Homecoming in Atlantic City, when Cardona defeated Nick Gage in a deathmatch. Immediately, trash and debris filled the ring, as the rabid fans couldn’t stomach this “WWE Superstar” besting their cult hero.
2. Mr. Ooh La La Shocks the World
When’s the last time pro wrestling gave you goosebumps? I had them in the front row of the 25th annual ECWA Super 8, as Mr. Ooh La La overcame all the odds to slay Joey Ace and win the ECWA Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his 30+ year career.
1. Clobberin’ Time
Before you clicked on this list of wrestling moments in 2021, you already knew No. 1. It’s one of the greatest moments of all time. Even Jim Cornette, AEW’s harshest critic, said it was perfect.
Despite weeks of speculation, some people still weren’t sure if CM Punk would actually appear at “The First Dance.” After all, fans had been clamoring for his return to pro wrestling ever since he walked out of WWE seven years ago. Well, in his hometown of Chicago, on a Friday night in the summer, the “Cult of Personality” echoed throughout the United Center and a sold out crowd roared.
“The Best in the World” was back and wrasslin’ was about to get a lot more fun.
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