Fans. Letting the Wrestling World know they're doing something right... or wrong. They say a crowd can make or break a moment, it can make or break a match and it can make or break a wrestler and his career. Right off the heels of the white hot Miami crowd lets take a look back to when the fans made the moment and the wrestlers played along to the show...
The Rock v Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania 18
Hogan had recently returned to the WWE along with the NWO as part of the 'Poison' Vince McMahon intended to inject into his promotion in an attempt to kill it off. The Rock at the time was the fan favourite, giving out his best catchphrases, belittling the Hulkster and his NWO buddies. Whilst The Rock, along with the rest of the WWE expected to go into WrestleMania with the crowd firmly on his side, the fans had other ideas. The Great One cut a promo on Hogan before the match that night at WrestleMania in which he was heavily booed. The crowds vocal act of support for the Hulkster brought the WWE to the conclusion that tonight, was Hogan's night and along with the 68,000 in attendance he would be the star. As a result of the crowds fierce backing and declaration for they're chosen wrestler WWE called a few audibles and decided to break up the NWO there and then, letting Hogan have his moment and the crowd joining in. Hulkamania was running wild again. John Cena v Rob Van Dam - One Night Stand 2005 ECW fans have never been one to keep they're opinions to themselves and some will argue that they are the most vocal set of followers in wrestling history. At One Night Stand in 2005 the ECW hardcore crowd made themselves known, the complete deformation of Cena was as exciting as the in ring contest itself. There could not have been a single Cena fan in the building. The opening five minutes of the bout was a game of tennis with Cena's t-shirt, this was the crowd being polite, normally it would have been set on fire and hung from the rafters. Throughout the match the fans in unison hailed abuse at the ten time Champion, chants ranging from the usual 'You Cant Wrestle' to statements that couldn't possibly be printed here. Could you imagine if John Cena had retained the WWE title that night? The only way he would have been able to perform again is if WWE had actually physically rebuilt him as The Prototype (see previous John Cena FCW gimmick).
Hollywood Hogan is Born - Bash at the Beach 1996
For 15 years Hogan had donned the red and yellow. For 15 years he kissed the babies, patted the child's head and smiled for the cameras. For 15 years he told us to eat our vitamins and say our prayers. For 15 years we cheered his arrival, our saviour, the face of wrestling, the man who we could depend on, to fight the good fight.
July 7th, 1996. Hogan made his way to the ring during a match between The Outsiders, which consisted of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash against Lex Luger, Sting and Randy Savage. Playing to the crowd who were cheering ferociously, Hall and Nash exited the ring as Hogan took in the crowds welcoming, the cheers of admiration, our hero was here. Then it happened, Hogan dropped the leg on the out cold Macho Man, then another and then another. The crowd went ballistic, plastic cups, cans and crumpled programmes were hurled at the American Hero as the Outsiders joined him in the ring. One fan was so enraged he jumped the rail and tried to get in the ring, but was met with boots off Hall and Nash who were taking no chances. They laid into him heavily until security finally arrived to drag the upset hooligan away. This guy was not a plant. Hogan continued to cut his speech as the crowd rained down boos along with the litter, he acknowledged the mess in the ring and referenced it to the audience which only incensed them even more. That day changed the face of Wrestling and the fans who were there damn well made sure that their opinion was heard.
Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio, Monday Night Raw 2012
The Monday night Raw that followed this years WrestleMania was one of the hottest and most vocal crowds in recent history. I could have gone with the return of Brock Lesnar, who's reception was that of a hero's welcome. But Lesnar was not the main focus of the Miami crowd, they wanted another man, the man to which they had been voicing they're backing for all night... Daniel Bryan. When Sheamus made his entrance it was abundantly clear that he was not on the fans cheer list, this was made blatantly obvious from the chorus of
'Daniel Bryan' chants. Del Rio coming out before the Celtic Warrior had an opportunity to speak was as a result of the animosity directed at him, WWE attempting to shift the balance. It didn't work, Miami couldn't have given a damn who showed up, they had something to say and they made sure everyone heard. Each time Sheamus took the mic Yes chants echoed through the arena, when it was Del Rio's turn to speak he was met with Si! Si! Si! Daniel Bryan later fought in the dark match consisting of a tag-team bout. The crowd still didn't let up, every move and taunt Bryan made was met with cheers and chants when he was in the ring, and Yes chants when he was out of the ring. After the match WWE allowed Bryan to address the crowd, breaking character he thanked everyone for the support and backing. This is a gesture that WWE rarely grants its talent. Daniel Bryan had lost the World Heavyweight Title in 18 seconds, looking back its probably a good thing this happened. No matter how good the match would have been they still would have played second fiddle to the top of the card, but this could very well be the catalyst for Bryan's elevation and security of a top spot. The fans are the heart of Pro-Wrestling, it doesn't matter what direction a match is headed, or how a story line is expected to pan out, if the people filling the seats aren't happy about something or want to voice they're opinion... They will and will let everybody know about it.