10 Greatest Wrestling Pops Ever (and No. 1 Might Surprise You)

Over time, the realms of professional wrestling and sports entertainment have consistently produced memorable, lasting moments that fans cherish. Whether these moments occur in WWE, AEW, TNA, or elsewhere, they linger vividly in fans’ memories for numerous reasons. Among these factors, the audience’s reaction during the moment plays a significant role. This response is often called a “pop” in wrestling. Compiling our list of the top 10 most impressive pops ever was no easy feat; you might be astonished to discover which moment claimed the number one spot.

I find it tough to choose because there have been many significant crowd reactions over the past year, and even more throughout the last few decades. It’s tricky to replace established moments with newer ones without being influenced by recent events (recentcy bias). However, it’s essential for a list to be dynamic and incorporate fresh moments. This is a delicate balance, but I believe we’ve managed it well. So, let’s dive right into our first selection.

10. Rated-R Return

The “Royal Rumble” is known for its unforeseen comebacks and shocks, and we can expect more of these in the future. Among many memorable returns related to this beloved event, none received a louder response from the audience than the one that happened during the 2020 “Royal Rumble.

Unveiled as Number 21 was none other than the WWE legend, Edge (also known as the Rated-R Superstar), marking one of the most shocking Rumble appearances ever. Since his retirement in 2011 due to a neck injury, Edge had not returned to active wrestling, but made sporadic TV appearances over the years. However, at the Rumble, he astonished fans by making a comeback to in-ring competition. This return led him to eventually join AEW, where he was greeted with thunderous applause in 2020, adding an extra layer of excitement to the moment.

9. The Ultimate Cash-In

In simpler terms, the Money in the Bank briefcase often provides thrilling events, and this year was no exception when Naomi used it to dethrone Iyo Sky and claim the Women’s World Championship title. However, there is a specific instance that many fans often remember vividly, and the enthusiastic response it received underscores its significance.

2013 marked the instance when Dolph Ziggler seized the opportunity to claim the World Heavyweight Championship using his Money in the Bank contract, after catching Alberto Del Rio off guard with an injury. With Del Rio having just concluded a match to keep his title, he was grappling with a leg issue, when suddenly, Ziggler’s theme song echoed through the arena, sparking a massive uproar from the audience. The excitement escalated even further once Ziggler announced the cash-in, and though there were close calls along the way, Ziggler ultimately triumphed in his much-anticipated victory, stirring a palpable response from the crowd.

8. The Goddess Returns to Rumble

At the Royal Rumble event in 2025, it wasn’t just Edge who surprised everyone by entering at number 21. In fact, a similar shock occurred earlier when another favorite character made their return to WWE at the exact same spot. Over two years had passed since this beloved figure was away from the ring, but it was evident that the crowd’s affection and admiration for them remained as strong as ever.

As Bliss’ titantron illuminated with a second pop, excitement surged even higher when she appeared on the ramp. The applause lasted throughout her journey to the ring and into the action. Amidst speculation about her WWE contract and postponed comeback, Michael Cole hinted at this on commentary. Fan enthusiasm reached new heights as they witnessed her return to WWE. Although it’s a recent event, its impact is undeniable, making it an excellent addition to this list.

7. This Is My House

Attendees at September 2022’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam event were in for an unexpected treat, as AEW managed to pull off one of the biggest surprises despite the difficulty of creating them these days. Following Britt Baker’s attack on Toni Storm, a new theme tune unfamiliar to anyone played, but when the name appeared on screen, the reaction was electric.

When the name “Saraya” appeared on the screen, the crowd erupted with excitement, and their fervor only intensified as she stepped into view. Much like many other instances throughout this series, it wasn’t just the initial burst of enthusiasm, but the prolonged outburst that made it truly remarkable. The crowd continued to roar in anticipation as Saraya approached the ring, celebrating a comeback that some believed would never happen due to injury concerns. However, she proved them wrong, and that moment stands as one of the most memorable in AEW history to date.

6. The Champ Is Here (Earlier Than Expected)

In the span of his career, John Cena has made several significant comebacks, but none matched the shock value of his return in 2008. At that time, he had sustained an injury to his chest muscle, which made it seem unlikely for him to participate in the Royal Rumble. However, Cena was determined not to miss out on this event.

As the clock struck number 30 and the curtain dropped for the grand entrance, I, as a hardcore cinephile of wrestling, could sense the electrifying anticipation in the air – it was palpable. The fans were yearning for any face other than John Cena to step into the ring, yet fate had other plans. To my utter surprise, the Champ returned ahead of schedule, igniting a frenzy among the audience. With an unstoppable energy, he swiftly eliminated three superstars one after another, leaving Mark Henry reeling on the floor. While opinions on Cena were split during this era, there was no denying the exhilaration that swept through the crowd as they witnessed him back in the heat of the Royal Rumble once more.

5. The Eater of Worlds Has Returned

scarcely any personalities have mesmerized audiences as much as the late Bray Wyatt, and this fact was particularly evident during his dramatic comeback to WWE. Following a sequence of talent dismissals the previous year, hints and QR codes on both Raw and SmackDown suggested a return was imminent, with the actual return taking place at the WWE Extreme Rules in 2022 in an incredibly memorable manner.

As the lights lowered, spectators were unveiled to live-action renditions of the Firefly Funhouse characters, along with The Fiend observing from the audience. The excitement escalated as a solitary door with spinning lights approached, and when it opened to reveal Wyatt’s lantern, the crowd erupted. Wyatt cautiously approached the screen in a mask, and after “holy cow” cheers filled the air, he took off the mask to an electrifying response from the audience. The moment fans had been eagerly waiting for was here, and it will forever be etched in their memories.

4. The Reunion No One Expected

On this list, several unanticipated comebacks by WWE superstars have been featured, but one return that many fans had all but forgotten about after a long time is the prospect of CM Punk making a comeback to WWE. Despite some other unexpected feuds being resolved in the years since Punk departed, this particular return seemed almost unimaginable.

At the Survivor Series: WarGames event in 2023, everything shifted unexpectedly. The excitement of the WarGames match and the conclusion of the show were still echoing when WWE pulled off a surprise – CM Punk’s theme song played, and the crowd erupted in response. The volume only increased when Punk himself appeared on the ramp, with chants of “CM Punk” filling the air to end the show. This reunion, which seemed impossible on numerous occasions in the past, was evidently something fans had been eagerly waiting for, as the thunderous applause confirmed that all they wanted was for it to happen now.

3. The Stone Cold Effect

Speaking about impactful entrance themes over his career, Stone Cold Steve Austin likely could fill a top 10 list effortlessly. Among them, one stands out as exceptional due to its high volume and intensity, which unfolded in a memorable episode of Monday Night Raw back in 1999 – a timeless classic.

On that particular night, two top stars of the Attitude Era competed for the WWE Championship, but the contest was not entirely fair. This was due to The Rock receiving assistance from the McMahons, who leveraged their numerical advantage to help The Rock retain the title. It was then that Stone Cold made an entrance, evoking one of the loudest and most enthusiastic cheers ever heard from the audience as he balanced the odds. In doing so, he aided Mankind not only to endure the match but also to clinch the WWE Championship. This particular cheer for Stone Cold is particularly outstanding among all his other impressive moments throughout his career.

2. The Second City Saint Has Returned

Admittedly, I shuffled the first and second items on this list quite a few times before making a decision, and I must say, I’m still undecided about it, though I did come up with an outcome. While CM Punk’s return to WWE generated a significant response, the reaction to his comeback in AEW was something truly extraordinary.

In recent weeks, there had been much speculation and news about a potential AEW appearance by Punk. Finally, this materialized at a bustling Chicago arena during AEW Rampage in 2021. After an absence of eight years from wrestling, the Best in the World made his triumphant comeback in his hometown, where the crowd was eagerly awaiting him since the very start. The audience’s chants for Punk could be heard even before his music began to play, and when he appeared on stage, it was evident that the moment had a profound effect on the Second City Saint.

The music never ceased its intensity, and fans continued to cheer loudly as he embraced his companions on the sidelines. This moment, undeniably memorable in AEW’s chronicles thus far, continues to be a significant highlight – one of the largest crowd reactions ever recorded.

1. Finishing the Story

Despite CM Punk’s return to wrestling creating an incredibly high level of excitement (or “pop” as it’s known), there was a moment that managed to surpass it slightly, securing the top spot. This exceptional moment wasn’t just a single instance but rather a collection of powerful moments strung together into an unforgettable WrestleMania main event. The key to outshining one massive crowd reaction is to have multiple such reactions within a brief 10-minute span.

This takes us to the highlight of WrestleMania XL: the eagerly awaited rematch between Roman Reigns, known as the Tribal Chief, and Cody Rhodes, dubbed the American Nightmare. The excitement was already high due to their Tag Team match the previous night, and although the entrances for both athletes were impressive, they were nothing compared to what unfolded in the climax of the match.

In a thrilling turn of events, Jey Uso leapt into action to save Jimmy Uso, setting the stage for what was about to unfold. But the action reached breakneck speeds when Solo Sikoa joined the fray. As John Cena entered, the crowd erupted in cheers, marking the first massive applause of the match. Later, an Attitude Adjustment from Cena targeted both Reigns and Sikoa, causing another deafening roar from the crowd – the second immense cheer of the night was born when The Rock made his grand entrance.

This spectacle was already extraordinary, with Seth Rollins reappearing in full Shield attire adding to the excitement, but things only escalated from there. After The Rock defeated John Cena and Roman Reigns overpowered Rollins, the crowd erupted when The Undertaker entered the scene, eliminating The Rock and setting up a potential highlight of the night. When Rhodes finally toppled Reigns to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion, it was one of the most memorable moments in history. With several pop-worthy moments within this match alone, it easily deserves the number one spot.

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2025-08-31 00:12