The PG era marked a significant shift for WWE, prioritizing a family-friendly approach that aimed to captivate a younger audience. This strategy resulted in a more sanitized product, with the reduction of violence, a ban on certain wrestling maneuvers, minimal bloodshed, and a strict policy against profanity, often resulting in fines for transgressors.
Despite these extensive restrictions imposed by Vince McMahon and corporate sponsors, WWE produced memorable moments during this time. The quality of wrestling improved, certain divisions flourished, and overall viewer sentiment remained positive for a period.
Creating a definitive list of the most impactful moments from the PG era is a challenging endeavor, as several candidates could fill multiple lists. Below, we highlight ten standout moments that contributed to making the PG era a watchable experience.
10 Anonymous Raw General Manager
It Went On For Far Too Long
Fans who remember the era of the Anonymous Raw General Manager can likely recall the cringe-worthy jingle that accompanied its introduction.
At one point, Monday Night Raw operated without a live general manager, instead relying on a laptop that transmitted decisions. Michael Cole served as the voice of this faceless entity, often turning his commentary into a source of frustration for viewers. During this time, his rivalry with Jerry Lawler seemed more tedious than thrilling.
What stood out most was the “laptop of doom”that relayed messages for the WWE audience. Ultimately, it was revealed that the mysterious general manager was Hornswoggle, making this story arc feel unnecessarily prolonged and directionless.
9 Vince’s Million Dollar Mania
An Abject Failure
In a desperate bid to rescue his plummeting ratings on Monday Night Raw in 2008, Vince McMahon conceived the Million Dollar Mania campaign, believing that cash giveaways would reignite viewer interest.
Each week, Vince would randomly call fans who entered the contest, offering them varying sums of money. Participation required little more than answering the phone and hoping to talk to McMahon, leading to fleeting excitement among viewers.
However, technical glitches and missed calls marred the execution, resulting in only a temporary ratings bump before viewership nosedived once again, leaving the Million Dollar Mania as a short-lived gimmick that ultimately backfired.
8 Shawn Michaels versus The Undertaker
Stealing The Show At WrestleMania… Twice
WrestleMania 25 is often remembered for its mixed quality; while some matches surpassed expectations driven by engaging storylines, others fell flat. However, when it came to Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, expectations were not merely met but exceeded, igniting the crowd’s energy in an unforgettable spectacle.
Remarkably, their match not only showcased phenomenal wrestling skills but also delivered once more at WrestleMania 26, leaving audiences in awe and solidifying both men’s legacies in WWE history.
7 The Women’s Revolution
NXT Group Breathes New Air Into Division
Throughout the PG era, WWE’s representation of female wrestlers often veered into absurdity, featuring storylines that regularly demeaned women. With questionable narratives such as Natalya’s flatulence gag and Mickie James being labeled “Piggie James, ”fans grew weary of such treatment.
Then, Stephanie McMahon called for a transformative shift. The debut of talented wrestlers like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Sasha Banks marked the inception of the Women’s Revolution, elevating the status of women’s wrestling in WWE.
This groundbreaking moment not only revitalized the women’s division but also led to the establishment of multiple championships and a robust tag team scene. Today, the women of WWE enjoy a heightened status, thanks to these pioneering athletes.
6 Brock Lesnar Ends The Streak
A Moment That Left Everyone Stunned
Certain moments in wrestling imprint themselves on fans forever, none more so than Brock Lesnar’s shocking victory over The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30, breaking his legendary streak.
As The Undertaker entered the ring with an unblemished 20-0 record, the atmosphere was electric, until the shocking announcement of his defeat. The stunned silence that enveloped the arena spoke volumes as everyone struggled to comprehend the significance of a now-21-1 record.
For many fans, the end of The Streak symbolized the loss of an era, leaving an emptiness that persists within the wrestling community to this day.The iconic moment reshaped the landscape of WWE storytelling and left fans reeling.
5 CM Punk’s 2011 Money In The Bank
Kiss Your Championship Goodbye, Vince
The summer of 2011 marked a pivotal moment in WWE history, particularly encapsulated in CM Punk’s iconic Money in the Bank match against John Cena. This encounter is celebrated as a classic and showcased some of the finest wrestling on display.
In a climactic finale, Punk managed to defeat Cena, leaving the event with his championship and forever cementing himself in wrestling lore. His subsequent departure from the company blurred into an elaborate storyline, leading to a highly anticipated return with the title soon after.
4 Formation Of Nexus
They Were Way Ahead Of Their Time
The early concept of NXT began as a competition reality series for aspiring wrestlers, pairing them with established mentors. What was unforeseeable at that time was the eventual emergence of the rebellious faction known as Nexus, comprised of several standout competitors.
The group quickly made an explosive debut by attacking John Cena, achieving notoriety that resulted in real-life repercussions for Daniel Bryan, who was fired during the violence. Despite this promising start, WWE failed to utilize Nexus effectively, leading to an eventual decline in their momentum.
3 Seth Rollins Ends The Shield
A Sad Conclusion To The Beloved Faction
The Shield, comprised of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns, gained immense popularity and showcased a unified front that captured fans’ hearts. However, their success was marred by an unexpected betrayal when Rollins turned against his teammates, shattering the faction’s bond.
Positioned as Triple H’s Plan B, Rollins’ dramatic heel turn was shocking, forever altering his relationship with Ambrose and Reigns and leading to an intense rivalry with eventual championships for all three men. The moment remains etched in fans’ minds, marked by the visceral response of the crowd and the iconic visual of Rollins’ betrayal.
2 The Yes Movement
Daniel Bryan Went Absolutely Crazy
WWE frequently produces moments that resonate with audiences, and the Yes Movement led by Daniel Bryan is a testament to this. Unlike anything seen since the days of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bryan’s simple yet powerful mantra of “Yes”transformed arenas into symphonic chants and created a fan phenomenon.
With Bryan at the helm, fans rallied behind him in droves, passionately embodying the spirit of the Yes Movement. This grassroots fan engagement propelled Bryan to the main event of WrestleMania 30, resulting in his ascension to the WWE Championship, a powerful reminder that fan influence can reshape narratives.
1 The Pipebomb
The Promo Of CM Punk’s Career
One of the most significant moments of the PG era occurred during CM Punk’s now-legendary “pipebomb”promo, which remains a defining moment in professional wrestling history.
From his perch atop the ramp, Punk delivered a message that blurred the lines between scripted drama and reality, capturing the essence of wrestling fandom and articulating frustrations that resonated worldwide. The impact of this moment altered WWE’s trajectory, garnering unprecedented support for Punk and culminating in a stellar 434-day championship reign.
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