10 Instances Where WWE Veterans Stunted a Young Star’s Momentum
Goldberg and The Fiend
10. The Rock vs. CM Punk (2013)
At Royal Rumble 2013, The Rock defeated CM Punk to end his 434-day WWE Championship reign—one of the longest of the modern era. Punk had carried the company through consistent promos and character work, but WWE opted to move the title onto a global megastar to set up a WrestleMania rematch with John Cena. While financially logical, the decision frustrated fans who felt Punk’s historic run deserved a WrestleMania payoff rather than being used as a stepping stone.
9. JBL vs. The Ascension (2015)
The Ascension debuted on the main roster after a dominant NXT run, but their momentum quickly collapsed. On commentary, John Bradshaw Layfield openly mocked them, comparing them unfavorably to legendary tag teams. At the same time, booking decisions saw them repeatedly lose to established veterans. Within weeks, their aura as a destructive force was gone, and they never recovered.
8. Goldberg vs. Kevin Owens (2017)
At Fastlane 2017, Goldberg defeated Kevin Owens in under 30 seconds to win the Universal Championship. Owens’ reign had been built over months as a cunning heel champion, but it ended abruptly following a distraction involving Chris Jericho. The move was designed to fast-track a WrestleMania clash between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, but it significantly damaged Owens’ credibility as a top-tier star.
7. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania IX (1993)
After Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart for the WWE Championship, Hulk Hogan immediately challenged and defeated Yokozuna in an impromptu match. The shocking title change shifted the spotlight back to Hogan instead of building Bret Hart or establishing Yokozuna as a dominant champion. It remains one of the earliest examples of nostalgia overtaking long-term storytelling.
6. Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet (2020)
At Super Show Down 2020, Brock Lesnar defeated Ricochet in about 90 seconds. Ricochet had been positioned as a high-flying underdog with unique offense, but the match gave him almost no opportunity to showcase his abilities. The squash reinforced Lesnar’s dominance while halting Ricochet’s rise as a credible main-event contender.
5. Kane vs. Zack Ryder (2012)
Zack Ryder built organic popularity through his YouTube series, forcing WWE to push him into the spotlight. However, his momentum quickly disappeared when he entered a storyline with Kane. Ryder was repeatedly attacked, humiliated, and written off television, losing both his United States Championship and fan-driven momentum in the process.
4. DX vs. The Revival (2018)
During Raw 25, D-Generation X reunited for a nostalgia-heavy segment. However, it came at the expense of The Revival, who were laid out by Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and other DX members. Instead of elevating the younger team through association, the segment reinforced the dominance of legacy acts and left The Revival looking like secondary players.
3. Batista Wins the 2014 Royal Rumble
Batista’s Royal Rumble victory was intended as a triumphant return, but it triggered massive backlash. Fans had rallied behind Daniel Bryan, who was not even positioned as a finalist. The negative reaction forced WWE to adjust its WrestleMania plans, ultimately inserting Bryan into the main event. The moment exposed the growing disconnect between WWE’s reliance on returning stars and fan-driven momentum.
2. Triple H vs. CM Punk (2011)
At Night of Champions 2011, Triple H defeated CM Punk during the peak of the “Summer of Punk.” Punk had become the voice of fan frustration and one of WWE’s hottest acts in years. Many expected the storyline to elevate him permanently to the top. Instead, the loss redirected focus back to Triple H, cooling Punk’s momentum during a crucial period.
1. Goldberg vs. The Fiend (2020)
At Super ShowDown 2020, Goldberg defeated Bray Wyatt in under three minutes. The Fiend had been portrayed as an unstoppable, supernatural force, making the quick loss especially jarring. WWE’s intent was reportedly to have a more recognizable champion heading into WrestleMania, but the decision backfired. The Fiend’s mystique was severely damaged, and the character never fully regained its previous aura, making this one of the clearest examples of a rising star being sacrificed for a part-time legend.
