10 Most Crowd-Pleasing Victories In WWE History

6. The Ultimate Champion - SummerSlam 1988

Eddie Guerrero No Way Out 2004
WWE.com

The Honky Tonk Man was one of the most despised champions in WWE history.

So much so that Vince McMahon would book him to headline B-shows across the country, recognising that fans would pay their hard-earned money to watch the Elvis impersonator get his backside kicked. 

That was not the genius in it. No, the genius was in the way that Honky Tonk Man would successfully retain his title through the most nefarious of means. 

He would slink away like a coward, losing by countout but holding onto the title, or benefit from interference from manager Jimmy Hart.

That all ended in August 1988, at the inaugural SummerSlam pay-per-view.

The egotistical braggart of a champion stood in the centre of the ring, challenging anyone from the locker room to replace the injured Brutus Beefcake as his opponent. 

The call was answered by the explosive Ultimate Warrior, who sprinted to the ring and ran over Honky Tonk Man in record time, capturing the title and bringing an end to the villain's oppressive year-long reign.

The pop that greeted the title change was one of the biggest of all-time, the result of a dynamic challenger and a long-awaited downfall of a hated character.

Contributor
Contributor

Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.