Even in what seems like simplistic and archaic compared to what editing can do nowadays, the video packages that WWE have always been able to put together amazing videos to help hype any and all shows. From picture in a picture still frames for WrestleMania I to “My Way” to even quick commercial bumpers for Raw and SmackDown, the WWE’s video editing team is second to none.
Especially when it comes to opening up a PPV and setting the stage for the evening’s event. Over the years, the video wizards at WWE, like David Sahadi (now with Impact) have made some of the most memorable opening montage videos of all time.
10 “Celebrate” - WrestleMania XXX
Often times, the theme of the PPV is incorporated and fed by its theme song. For WrestleMania XXX, the very first from the Silver...Superdome in New Orleans, the song the company used was Kid Rock’s “Celebrate,” and what a celebration! After showing some of NOLA’s Jazz scene, footage of past Manias mixed in with the town’s famed Mardi Gras celebration helped sell the huge party atmosphere of The Grandaddy Of ‘Em All.
9 The History Of The WWE And World Titles - TLC 2013
Since the fall of WCW, the WWE had not one, but two world titles. Every so often they would wind up being unified, but seldom has huge as a TLC match between the two champions - WWE Champion, John Cena against World Champion, Randy Orton.
To help sell the gravitas of such a moment, the match was hyped up with a video showcasing the champions of yesteryear, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Harley Race, Randy Savage, Bret, Dusty, Shawn, Austin, The Rock amongst others.
8 FDR On War - Invasion
Shane McMahon bought WCW right out from his father’s nose. Paul Heyman, Shane, and then Stephanie conspired to make sure the Billion Dollar Princess headed up ECW. The Invasion was on and it was a war. There was no better way to showcase the long-awaited Invasion PPV then by having footage of the McMahon kids waging their war interleaved with wartime President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his stance on war and what it means.
7 The World Is Watching - WrestleMania X7
One would assume the video package starting WrestleMania X-Seven was conceived of and filmed slightly before the wildest week in Sports Entertainment. But the idea that the world and generations of families from every country come together to watch The Showcase Of The Immortals was amazing to see. After all, it was barely a week before that WWE had purchased WCW and ECW was all but under their thumb as well. The folklore-like approach to kicking off WrestleMania X-Seven was accentuated by this very achievement.
6 Answering The Call - The Royal Rumble 2021
Superheroes, comic books, and wrestlers have long since gone hand in hand. After all the superstars have often been equates to real life versions of Marvel and DC superheroes and Rey Mysterio, Tegan Nox, and plenty of others have worn their love of superheroes on their sleeves. The WWE paid homage to the comic books this last January by showcasing their stars answering the Royal Rumble signal, answering the call to try and earn their shot at WrestleMania.
5 Where It All Begins Again - WrestleMania XX
For any fan that likes to bemoan Vince McMahon and his shortcomings, tell them that they can stick it and show them this video. The opening to WrestleMania XX can remind just about any naysayer not only why they're a fan, but the debt of gratitude every fan owes to the Chairman.
It all began with one man and his vision - a massive show at Madison Square Garden. It transformed over the years into the grandiose stage of WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, it all began again with the roster all vying for their spot and the heartwarming unveil of Vince the grandfather with proud papa Shane and the next generation, then newborn baby Declan.
4 “Do I Have Your Attention Now?” - Money In The Bank 2011
Had he not realized what being a true top guy was all about, quit his job and leave, the legend of CM Punk was only going to continue to grow. However, it sort of stops and starts with this very moment. It was perhaps the greatest hometown performance of all time. The storyline couldn’t have been any better if Hollywood had written it. Punk, a disgruntled employee’s contract was set to run out at Money In The Bank 2011. The event was emanating from Chicago and he was the challenger for John Cena’s WWE title. After the Pipe Bomb promo, he was truly the hometown hero walking into this huge moment.
3 The Battle Of Brooklyn - SummerSlam 2015
After spending several years on the west coast, the WWE came home to New York and headed to the Barclays Center for SummerSlam 2015. The first ever SummerSlam from Brooklyn was highlighted by the battles (Undertaker Vs. Brock, Rollins Vs. Cena) and movements like the Women’s Revolution that were about to take place, all set across the backdrop of the graffiti and culture of one of the biggest boroughs of New York City.
2 “This Is A War” - Battleground 2016
Wars and battles in the ring have always been what wrestling’s have been about. But it became the theme of Battleground 2016. Set to The Phantoms’ aptly titled “This Is War,” the WWE Superstars were getting ready to storm the beaches so to speak with their flags, ready to destroy one another.
Huge feuds culminated at the event, like the never ending battle between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, and of course, the long anticipated triple threat match main event - Dean Ambrose defending the WWE title against his former Shield brothers, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
1 The End Is Here - Armageddon 2000
Six of the Attitude Era's biggest stars - Triple H, Undertaker, Rikishi, The Rock, Stone Cold, and WWE Champion Kurt Angle headed into Hell In A Cell for a huge six man brawl. The end had arrived and the WWE was heading to Sweet Home Alabama for Armageddon 2000. To date, it is the only event that warranted its own original WWE theme song, “The End.” The video package accompanying the opening is still haunting to see, as the six competitors intercut with jet fighters and bombardiers readying themselves to annihilate the competition.