10 RAW After WrestleMania Moments That Left Us Speechless!
Dolph Ziggler after WrestleMania 29
10. D-Generation X Reboots Under Triple H (1998)
The March 30, 1998 episode of Raw followed WrestleMania XIV, where Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship. With Michaels stepping away due to a serious back injury, Triple H assumed leadership of D-Generation X. On that night, Triple H formally reintroduced the group with a new lineup that included X-Pac, who had just returned from WCW where he competed as Syxx. The New Age Outlaws, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn, were also integrated, strengthening the faction’s presence across the tag division. This version of DX shifted tone from edgy comedy to a more rebellious, anti-authority force targeting Vince McMahon’s leadership. Their segments began featuring live crowd interactions, invasions, and unscripted-style promos that resonated strongly with audiences. The group played a central role in WWE’s Attitude Era boom during 1998. Merchandise sales and ratings saw noticeable gains during this period. Triple H’s leadership here also marked his transition into a top-tier main event figure. The reboot established DX as one of WWE’s most influential factions historically.
9. Mankind Debuts and Targets The Undertaker (1996)
On April 1, 1996, the night after WrestleMania XII, Mick Foley debuted the Mankind persona on Raw. The character was introduced with a series of eerie pre-taped vignettes before his physical appearance. Later that night, following the main event, Mankind attacked The Undertaker at ringside. He applied the Mandible Claw, immediately presenting himself as a dangerous and unpredictable opponent. The presentation emphasized psychological horror elements, which contrasted with typical wrestling gimmicks of that era. Commentary framed Mankind as unstable, adding to the character’s impact. This confrontation marked the beginning of a long-running rivalry between Foley and Undertaker. Their feud would include multiple stipulation matches and culminate in the 1998 Hell in a Cell bout. That match later became one of WWE’s most replayed moments. The debut is widely considered one of the most effective character introductions in WWE history. It also established Foley as a major player in the company.
8. Shawn Michaels’ Emotional Retirement Speech (2010)
The March 29, 2010 Raw took place one night after WrestleMania 26, where Shawn Michaels lost to The Undertaker in a career-ending match. Michaels opened the show to address the audience directly. He confirmed that the stipulation would be honored and that he was officially retiring from in-ring competition. The speech included reflections on his career, his struggles, and his gratitude toward fans and colleagues. Members of the WWE roster stood around the ring in acknowledgment. Unlike many scripted segments, this address carried a noticeably authentic tone. Michaels had been with WWE for over two decades at that point. His matches, particularly at WrestleMania, were widely regarded as among the best in company history. The farewell reinforced his legacy as one of WWE’s most influential performers. He would later return for limited appearances, but this moment marked the end of his full-time career. The segment remains one of the most respected retirement speeches in wrestling.
7. Goldberg Shocks The Rock (2003)
On March 31, 2003, the Raw after WrestleMania XIX featured a promo from The Rock, who had just defeated Steve Austin in their final WrestleMania match. During the segment, he was interrupted by the debuting Goldberg. Goldberg, previously one of WCW’s top stars, had signed with WWE earlier that year. He entered the ring and confronted Rock without extended dialogue. The segment quickly escalated when Goldberg delivered a spear. This marked his first physical action in WWE programming. The debut was positioned as a major crossover moment following the end of the Monday Night Wars. WWE used it to introduce Goldberg as an immediate main-event-level competitor. The interaction led directly to a featured match between the two at Backlash 2003. The debut achieved its intended goal of creating instant recognition and interest. It remains one of the most impactful arrivals from a former rival promotion.
6. Brock Lesnar’s Destructive Debut (2002)
On March 18, 2002, the Raw following WrestleMania X8 introduced Brock Lesnar to the main roster. Accompanied by Paul Heyman, Lesnar stormed the ring during a match and attacked multiple competitors. His offense included power moves such as suplexes and spinebusters, presented with minimal resistance. Commentary immediately labeled him as “The Next Big Thing,” establishing his positioning. Lesnar had recently signed a developmental deal and quickly moved to television due to his physical presence. The debut segment focused on showcasing dominance rather than storytelling. Within months, Lesnar would win the King of the Ring tournament and later the Undisputed Championship. At the time, he became the youngest WWE Champion in history. This rapid ascent validated the impact of his debut. The moment is often cited as one of WWE’s most effective introductions of a future main-event star.
5. Paige’s Stunning Main Roster Debut (2014)
On April 7, 2014, the Raw after WrestleMania XXX featured the unannounced debut of Paige. She entered the ring to congratulate Divas Champion AJ Lee. The segment quickly shifted when AJ challenged her to an impromptu match. Paige accepted despite not being dressed to compete traditionally. The match lasted only a few minutes but ended with Paige securing a clean victory. This made her the youngest Divas Champion at the time. Paige had been the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion prior to her call-up. Her win symbolized a transition toward greater emphasis on in-ring ability in the women’s division. The crowd reaction was notably strong for a debuting performer. WWE later referenced this moment as part of the broader “Women’s Evolution.” The debut remains one of the most immediate championship wins in company history.
4. The Two-Man Power Trip Forms (2001)
On April 2, 2001, the Raw after WrestleMania X-Seven continued the fallout from Stone Cold Steve Austin aligning with Vince McMahon. During the show, Austin joined forces with Triple H, forming a dominant alliance. The two attacked The Rock in a prolonged post-match assault. This effectively wrote Rock off television as he left to film a movie. The partnership became known as the “Two-Man Power Trip.” Both men held top championships simultaneously during the storyline. The alliance positioned them as the central antagonists in WWE programming. It also extended Austin’s heel run following WrestleMania. The storyline was cut short due to Triple H suffering a quadriceps injury in May 2001. Despite its brief duration, the faction is remembered for its concentration of star power. The Raw segment established its dominance immediately.
3. Dolph Ziggler’s Money in the Bank Cash-In (2013)
On April 8, 2013, the Raw after WrestleMania 29 featured Dolph Ziggler cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. Earlier in the night, Alberto Del Rio had competed in a physically demanding match and sustained storyline injuries. Ziggler’s manager AJ Lee encouraged him to seize the opportunity. Ziggler officially cashed in, initiating an immediate title match. The bout included multiple near falls, increasing crowd engagement. Ziggler won the World Heavyweight Championship after delivering the Zig Zag. The live audience reaction was one of the loudest recorded for a cash-in. Commentary emphasized the timing and execution as ideal. This moment represented the peak of Ziggler’s singles push. It is frequently included in highlight packages of Money in the Bank history. The segment demonstrated the effectiveness of the contract stipulation when used strategically.
2. Brock Lesnar Returns to Confront John Cena (2012)
On April 2, 2012, the Raw after WrestleMania XXVIII featured the return of Brock Lesnar after nearly eight years away. John Cena was addressing the audience following his loss to The Rock. Lesnar interrupted without prior announcement. After a brief staredown, he delivered an F-5 to Cena. The segment was presented with a more sports-oriented tone compared to standard WWE storytelling. Lesnar’s return followed a successful run in UFC, adding legitimacy to his persona. WWE capitalized on this by promoting him as a crossover attraction. The confrontation led to a featured match at Extreme Rules 2012. The return significantly boosted viewership interest. It also marked the beginning of Lesnar’s part-time attraction role. The moment remains one of the most surprising returns in Raw history.
1. Ric Flair’s Emotional Farewell Ceremony (2008)
On March 31, 2008, the Raw after WrestleMania XXIV honored Ric Flair following his retirement match against Shawn Michaels. The show featured an extended in-ring ceremony dedicated to his career. Numerous WWE superstars and legends appeared on stage to acknowledge him. Flair delivered a speech reflecting on his decades-long career in professional wrestling. The segment included applause segments and personal acknowledgments from peers. WWE presented video highlights summarizing his achievements. Flair had held multiple world championships across different promotions. The farewell followed the widely remembered WrestleMania moment where Michaels said, “I’m sorry, I love you.” This added emotional continuity to the tribute. The ceremony is considered one of the most comprehensive retirement segments in WWE history. It served as a formal conclusion to Flair’s in-ring run with WWE.
