The unprecedented pandemic forced many businesses to alter plans, and WWE wasn't an exception. First, the company had to host shows at the WWE Performance Center, which didn't feel anything more than a small Indy show. As a result, WWE introduced a new setup called 'WWE Thunderdome' with virtual fans from all over the world.
Beginning with SmackDown in August 2020, WWE hosted episodes of RAW, SmackDown as well as pay-per-views inside the colossal structure of virtual fans. The Thunderdome Era had several memorable moments that included important title changes, crucial heel turns, and building new stars.
10 Randy Orton Sets The Fiend On Fire (TLC 2020)
Randy Orton faced The Fiend in a Firefly Inferno Match at TLC 2020. With fire surrounding the arena of the Thunderdome, it was a visual treat for the fans. Surprisingly, The Fiend lost the match.
The most memorable thing, however, happened after that match. Orton brought out his sadistic and twisted side, lit a match and burned the body of The Fiend on live television.
9 Dominik Mysterio's Debut ( SummerSlam 2020)
Dominik Mysterio, the son of the legendary Rey Mysterio, was accompanying his father to the ring for a while, but he ultimately made his in-ring debut at SummerSlam. He faced the rival of the Mysterio Family, Seth Rollins.
It was a brutal Street Fight. Even though Dominik lost the bout, he impressed everyone with a spectacular performance, and needless to say, the young man went toe-to-toe with a veteran like Rollins. Dominik's debut performance was praised by many fans.
8 Drew McIntyre Beat Goldberg (Royal Rumble 2021)
Let's be honest, given Goldberg's track record of burying young talent, not many people were keen to see him facing Drew McIntyre, who was the WWE Champion at the beginning of the year. On the first RAW of 2021, Goldberg came out of nowhere and challenged The Scottish Warrior for a match at Royal Rumble.
Like most Goldberg matches, it was a short and disappointing encounter. However, the outcome of the match wasn't, as McIntyre picked up one of the biggest wins of his career by pinning Goldberg to retain the gold.
7 Bayley Turns On Sasha Banks ( SmackDown, September 4, 2020)
In the pandemic era, the duo of Bayley and Sasha Banks thrived as a tag team. Consequently, they not only won the Women's Tag Team Championship but also held all Women's Titles of WWE at one point.
Their team broke after losing the twin belts. On an episode of SmackDown, Bayley showed her true colors by turning on her best friend. She attacked Sasha Banks and thus, started a new rivalry between two of the Horsewomen of WWE. Bayley turning on Sasha was certainly one of the best Thunderdome moments.
6 Randy Orton's RKO To Alexa Bliss (RAW, January 26, 2021)
Following Alexa Bliss's association with The Fiend, the former adopted many instincts of the masked monster, including playing mind games. The same happened when Bliss faced Asuka on an episode of RAW, just before Royal Rumble.
Bliss' mind games enabled her to trap Asuka in a Mandible Claw, but Randy Orton appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the match and hit Bliss with an RKO. Orton doesn't discriminate when it comes to his RKO, and Bliss was another such victim.
5 Bobby Lashley Wins The WWE Championship ( RAW, March 1, 2021)
The Miz was certainly a fluke WWE Champion after cashing in the Money in the Bank contract. Hence, it was going to be a short run because Bobby Lashley was in the title picture. The Era of The Almighty started on an episode of RAW, where he faced The Miz in a Lumberjack match.
Lashley dominated the one-sided bout and forced The Miz to submit in a Hurt Lock. With that victory, Lashley won his first WWE Championship in his career.
4 Edge Wins The Men's Royal Rumble Match
As Royal Rumble 2021 was held inside the Thunderdome, the stakes were high. Edge returned to action to enter the Royal Rumble match from the very first spot. After a brilliant performance, the Rated R Superstar won the match by last eliminating Randy Orton.
After the victory, Edge became a two-time Royal Rumble winner; his first was in 2010. Edge eventually challenged the Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37 but failed to beat him.
3 Bianca Belair Wins The Women's Royal Rumble Match
In an attempt to build new stars, WWE picked a perfect Women's Royal Rumble winner this year. Entering at the number three position, Bianca Belair gave a stellar performance and lasted 56 minutes.
After last eliminating Rhea Ripley, Belair won the Women's Royal Rumble match. A star was born that night with the win. Belair has been unstoppable since winning the Royal Rumble match this year, since she went on to win the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 37.
2 Roman Reigns' Return And The Heel Turn ( SummerSlam 2020)
Roman Reigns' return to action was the perfect way to start the WWE Thunderdome Era. After missing WrestleMania 36, Reigns returned at SummerSlam to attack both The Fiend and Braun Strowman after the main event.
However, this Roman Reigns looked different from his previous version. With that assault, he showed his heel persona for the first time in his singles career. He solidified his position as a bad guy a week later at Payback, where he won the Universal Championship.
1 The Undertaker's Farewell Ceremony (Survivor Series 2020)
While The Undertaker's official final match was at WrestleMania 36, he didn't get a proper retirement farewell. However, WWE hosted the retirement ceremony of the legendary superstar at the 2020 Survivor Series. The Phenom made his WWE debut at Survivor Series in 1990, so it marked his thirty years in the company.
It was a star-studded event with the presence of legends like Ric Flair, Kane, Triple H, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, and many more. The Deadman came out one last time, and he gave an emotional farewell speech. Despite having no live audience, the virtual fans of Thunderdome weren't ready to bid farewell to The Undertaker, making it the best moment of the WWE Thunderdome Era.