20 Incredible WWE Ruthless Aggression Era Moments Nobody Ever Talks About
We need to talk about Snoop Dogg's first WrestleMania appearance.
In the time that immediately followed the era of all things Attitude, WWE didn't just get aggressively ruthless.
It went a little mad, too.
Not only that, this period from 2002 to 2008 was also overflowing with utterly unbelievable bumps, hilarious moments of unexpected comedy, and some severely underrated contests - most of which have been largely forgotten by those who refused to quit a WWE product that was unquestionably on the decline in the wake of that iconic 1997-2002 run.
Not for much longer, though!
Because this list is about to take you on a rather incredible trip down memory lane, one that will involve revisiting everything from Snoop Dogg's bizarre first and largely overlooked appearance on 'The Grandest Stage', to some of the most under-appreciated entrances ever to show up on WWE programming.
Sure, everyone understandably loves reminiscing about that time the legendary Eddie Guerrero won the big one, the rise of Brock Lesnar, Batista and John Cena, and Trish Stratus and Lita main eventing Monday Night Raw.
But what about those other magnificent, scarcely believable, and often quite deranged occurrences this barmy era had to offer?
20. The John Cena Vs. Great Khali Feud
Applying parameters to this article, since there's no such thing as 'Ruthless Aggression' really - Vince McMahon said it for a fortnight while his samey product didn't fundamentally change, playa - the period covered is between 2002 and 2008. The 'PG Era' informed more actual change, and that's how the fanbase at large divides the time periods anyway.
Ruthless Aggression poster boy John Cena entered improbably awesome performances at Judgment Day and One Night Stand 2007. Somehow - through his motivation, Arn Anderson's layouts, perhaps a mystical force from on high - the man carried the Great Khali to something compelling and dynamic.
Twice!
The Judgment Day main event wasn't necessarily good - Cena's opening barrage of punches made Shane McMahon look like Sugar Ray Robinson - but it was inordinately effective. Cena at least threw himself down to the mat with a motivated snap. He knew he had to create movement and some nightmarish aural thuds to get it over. Khali played his role remarkably well too, aiming his awful strikes at Cena's ears and even lifting his leg higher than he ever had in his life to connect with a back kick.
The One Night Stand match was even better; an arena-wide brawl, it was significantly less trope-y than many plunder matches WWE presents today. Virtually every weapon used - cameras, the crane - actually belonged in the environment, making it feel like a desperate Cena was grabbing whatever he could get his hands on to survive the onslaught.
- MS