WWE History This Week: Ex-Champ Retires Post Loss, Fans Upset by Controversial Match Result

WWE’s recent surge in popularity is undeniable, with sold-out crowds becoming a regular sight on both RAW and SmackDown.

The momentum was further amplified by two consecutive stadium shows in January and February, highlighting the company’s flourishing business.

The excitement continues to build as WrestleMania 40 approaches, with both Night 1 and Night 2 set to unfold in a massive stadium.

While the current WWE landscape is brimming with energy and success, some fans still cherish the memories of the past. Sportskeeda offers a weekly journey through WWE history, revisiting significant events, matches, and moments.

This week’s retrospective explores a few key occurrences, including NXT’s inaugural Premium Live Event, a brief retirement saga, and a noteworthy title change.

Here are five pivotal events from this week in WWE history:

#5. Cactus Jack’s “Retirement” at No Way Out (February 27, 2000)

No Way Out, preceding WrestleMania 2000, witnessed a heated Hell in a Cell Match between Triple H and Cactus Jack.

With an added stipulation that Cactus Jack would retire if he lost, Triple H emerged victorious, leading to Jack’s brief retirement. However, Jack resurfaced as Mick Foley at WrestleMania 2000, marking a short-lived departure from the ring.

#4. NXT ArRIVAL (February 27, 2014)

NXT ArRIVAL, airing on February 27, 2014, marked the first Premium Live Event on the WWE Network. Hosted at Full Sail University, the event featured standout matches, including Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn and a memorable ladder match between Bo Dallas and Neville, ending Dallas’s NXT Championship reign.

#3. Controversial Match at Super ShowDown (February 27, 2020)

Super ShowDown, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 27, 2020, sparked controversy with Goldberg defeating The Fiend for the WWE Universal Championship in a quick match. The surprising outcome shifted momentum for Bray Wyatt’s character and stirred debate among fans.

#2. Johnny Curtis’s NXT Victory (March 1, 2011)

On March 1, 2011, WWE presented NXT as a competition show, with Johnny Curtis emerging victorious in the fourth season. Despite limited subsequent success, Curtis later transformed into Fandango, achieving recognition in WWE.

#1. The Usos Capture Tag Team Gold on RAW (March 3, 2014)

In a memorable RAW episode on March 3, 2014, The Usos secured the WWE Tag Team Championship by defeating Billy Gunn and Road Dogg.

This victory set the stage for The Usos’ impressive decade-long journey, culminating in their anticipated clash at WrestleMania.

As WWE continues to evolve, these historical moments serve as nostalgic glimpses into the rich tapestry of the company’s legacy.