WWE: Top 5 Moments from the WWE ThunderDome

The WWE made some much-needed improvements to its weekly television and Pay-Per-Views during the pandemic when it moved to the Thunderdome. The Thunderdome provided the WWE fans a unique experience that wrestling fans are never going to get because fans were able to be a part of the show while being at home on their computers. The WWE has been inside the Thunderdome since August 2020, with Summerslam being the first Pay-Per-View to take place there. Over the last year, plenty of great matches and moments have helped fans enjoy watching wrestling during a pandemic.

The WWE will be returning to live touring with fans in attendance which means the ThunderDome time has officially ended. I have decided to list my top five moments from the WWE Thunderdome, with things returning back to normal.

5. The Undertaker’s Final Farewell (Survivor Series 2020)

This was a moment that many fans knew would eventually happen, but when it finally happened, it was one of the greatest moments in WWE history. When WWE did the Last Ride documentary, it seemed like the Deadman time was coming to an end, but he would agree to a unique match with AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 36 called a Boneyard Match. The Survivor Series 2020 marked 30 years since The Undertaker’s debut, so WWE announced his final farewell celebration.

This final farewell was the celebration of one of the greatest WWE wrestlers, and it included legends such as Mick Foley, Godfather, Savio Vega, and Kane. They paid their respect to The Undertaker. Vince McMahon would arrive and give a heartfelt speech to the man he helped create.

The Undertaker would say his farewell and finally gave one last “Rest in Peace” before doing his iconic pose and the WWE showing a hologram Paul Bearer in the ring in front of Taker. If this is the last time fans saw The Undertaker in a wrestling ring, it was a great moment.

4. Bobby Lashley wins the WWE Championship (March 1st Monday Night Raw)

There have been many title changes inside of the WWE Thunderdome over the past year, but the one that will be most remembered will be when Bobby Lashley finally became WWE world champion. Bobby would begin his transformation into monster heel when he would become associated with MVP. The Miz and MVP would deal with each other, leading to Bobby finally getting his world title shot.

Bobby Lashley would attack Drew McIntyre following a successful title defense inside the Elimination Chamber. This would lead to the Miz cashing his money in the bank and becoming WWE champion. The Miz reign would be short-lived, but it had a purpose to get the belt on Bobby. Bobby Lashley completed the mission that he had started 16 years ago in the WWE.

3. Bianca Belair wins the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble 2021)

The 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble Match was the first Rumble inside the WWE Thunderdome, and the pressure was on. When Bianca Belair came from NXT to the main roster, expectations were already high because of what fans knew she could become if presented the right opportunity. Bianca Belair would come into the match at number three and showed that she had the endurance and skill set to stand out in a match like the Royal Rumble.

The match saw the return of WWE legends Victoria and Molly Holly, but Bianca’s most significant competition was Rhea Ripley, who had also come from NXT. Both Ripley and Belair proved that they deserve to be the final two in the ring. Bianca Belair would become the second African American to win the Royal Rumble and the first African American woman to win the Rumble. Bianca’s post-match speech was the first time that fans could see her with her guard down and wearing her heart on her sleeves. Bianca would keep that momentum going into Wrestlemania, where she would win the Smackdown Women’s championship.

2. Edge returns and wins the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble 2021)

Edge returning and winning the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble was a surprise that wrestling fans have never seen coming. The WWE did an amazing job of telling the story of Edge entering the Rumble at one and winning it. The Rated R Superstar would have to go through rival Randy Orton first before having to deal with Daniel Bryan, Braun Strowman, and Seth Rollins to win the match. Edge returning and winning the Rumble almost a year away with an injury was amazing.

1. Roman Reigns returns (Summerslam 2020)

Summerslam 2020 was the first event inside the Thunderdome, and the Pay-Per-View delivered some good matches, but it was what happened in the main event that had Wrestling fans talking. The main event featured The Fiend, and Braun Strowman in a falls count anywhere match that the Fiend would win. Roman Reigns would make the ultimate statement when Reigns would return as heel trash talking both Wyatt and Strowman during his return. Reigns would show more signs of being a heel on the next episode of Smackdown, which took place in the Thunderdome. Roman Reigns transformed from the big dog into the cocky heel “Tribal Chief” that we all have grown to love.

The ThunderDome marked a tough time in WWE as the promotion tried to deal with the COVID-19 global pandemic. That time may be over in a sense, and the company is heading back on the road, but these moments stood out as some of the most important during this era in WWE history.