10 Most Emotional Title Wins In WWE History
4. Chris Benoit Wins The World Heavyweight Title (WrestleMania XX)
The events that transpired in Chris Benoit’s later life have obviously complicated his career, but in the moment, Chris Benoit’s World Heavyweight Title win at WrestleMania XX was immaculate.
Long-regarded as one of WWE’s most consistently held-back performers, Benoit had won a huge following not only for his technical excellence, but his intensity. Though lacking on the microphone, Benoit conveyed more passion in the ring than any words ever could, and his tough, gritty performances against the likes of Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho had made him a star.
Benoit was one of WWE’s most popular stars by the time he won the 2004 Royal Rumble, but he seemed like the antithesis of WWE’s idea of an ideal champion. Benoit was short, lacked the all-important “superstar look,” and wasn’t a particularly convincing microphone worker. This made his eventual title win all the more miraculous, and incredibly euphoric.
Benoit faced-off with Shawn Michaels and Triple H in Madison Square Garden. The crowd were on-fire, and after a brilliant match full of huge momentum-shifts, all three men were down. It was Benoit who was able to summon his famed inner strength, however, and after slapping Triple H in the Crippler Crossface, he was crowned World Heavyweight Champion.
Benoit couldn’t hold back the tears as confetti rained down on him. After years stuck beneath the glass ceiling, he had finally broken through, and his old friend Eddie Guerrero soon one of the greatest title-winning celebrations in WWE history.