A list of the greatest moments from the WWE Ruthless Aggression era

Let’s talk about the greatest moments of the WWE Ruthless Aggression Era. Now, there are several names you could use for this era. You could call it the Brand Extension Era, or some people simply call it the Post-Attitude Era. Roughly, it’s the period from when the brand extension first started to when WWE officially announced that they were going PG in July 2008.

I asked people on Facebook and Twitter for their input, and I’ve come up with some moments here that, in my opinion — and in the opinion of many NoDQ visitors — represent the greatest moments of the Ruthless Aggression Era.

Eric Bischoff Appearing on Raw (July 2002)

This was one of the most shocking moments in Raw history because nobody ever thought they would see Eric Bischoff in a WWE ring after all the years of the bitter Monday Night Wars. It was surreal to see Bischoff on Raw — and even more shocking to see him and Vince McMahon embrace each other. It was truly a jaw-dropping, unforgettable moment. Bischoff becoming the General Manager of Raw was something no one ever expected, making this one of WWE’s all-time great surprises.

The Rise of Brock Lesnar

WWE had a hot prospect in Brock Lesnar — an NCAA champion and physical specimen perfect for the company. After dominating in OVW, Lesnar debuted on the main roster alongside Paul Heyman and immediately began destroying opponents. Within six months, he won the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating The Rock at SummerSlam 2002 before moving to SmackDown. His meteoric rise remains one of the fastest in WWE history.

The Comeback of Shawn Michaels

HBK made his triumphant return in 2002 after nearly five years away due to injury. Many believed he’d never wrestle again, or that he’d only be a shadow of his former self. Instead, Michaels came back better than ever — more strategic and refined in the ring. His second run arguably surpassed his first, highlighted by winning the first-ever Elimination Chamber match at Survivor Series 2002.

The Elimination Chamber

Introduced in 2002, the Elimination Chamber became an instant classic — a brutal hybrid between a cage match and WarGames, with every man fighting for himself. The first Chamber match at Survivor Series 2002 in Madison Square Garden was unforgettable and helped establish the match as a major WWE attraction.

The Rock’s First Concert (2003)

This was one of The Rock’s all-time best heel segments. Playing his “Hollywood Rock” persona, he roasted Sacramento with hilarious lyrics, mocking the city and its fans. His line about only returning when the Lakers beat the Kings in May drew massive boos and made this segment an instant classic.

John Cena’s Freestyle Raps

John Cena’s rise in 2003–2004 was marked by his edgy freestyle raps. His sharp, often vulgar rhymes made him one of the most popular acts in WWE. His charisma and mic skills carried him from underdog to top star, leading to his first WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 21. The early “Doctor of Thuganomics” era remains a fan favorite.

Brock Lesnar and Big Show Break the Ring

On SmackDown, Lesnar delivered a superplex to Big Show that caused the ring to collapse. It was an incredible visual and one of the most replayed moments in WWE history. The crowd’s stunned reaction said it all — pure shock and awe.

Evolution

Evolution — led by Triple H, with Ric Flair, Batista, and Randy Orton — dominated WWE. The faction produced two future world champions in Batista and Orton, and was the defining stable of the era. Their dominance on Raw symbolized the power and prestige of the Ruthless Aggression period.

Kane Unmasking (2003)

When Kane removed his mask, it completely revitalized his character. The unmasking led to one of his most terrifying runs — attacking Jim Ross, tombstoning Linda McMahon, and electrocuting Shane McMahon. It was a wild and memorable transformation for the Big Red Machine.

The Undertaker Returns as the Deadman (2004)

After years as the “American Badass,” fans longed for the classic Undertaker persona to return. At WrestleMania 20, we got exactly that — The Deadman, accompanied by Paul Bearer, rising again. It remains one of the most iconic WrestleMania entrances ever.

Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit as World Champions

At WrestleMania 20, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit celebrated together as WWE and World Heavyweight Champions. It was an emotional, surreal moment — proof that smaller, hard-working wrestlers could reach the top of the industry.

Musical Chairs on Raw

This hilarious 2004 Raw segment featured several WWE stars — and Ric Flair absolutely stole the show. His over-the-top antics turned what could have been a throwaway bit into one of the funniest moments of the era.

Shawn Michaels’ Heel Run (2005)

Michaels’ heel turn on Hulk Hogan led to a memorable feud and a great match at SummerSlam. His “Larry King” parody and trolling of the Montreal crowd were brilliant. It was a short-lived but highly entertaining run that showed how versatile HBK could be.

Edge Cashes in Money in the Bank

Edge’s first-ever Money in the Bank cash-in at New Year’s Revolution 2006 was a career-defining moment. The shocking cash-in on John Cena established the Money in the Bank concept as a major storytelling tool — and solidified Edge as a main-event player.

ECW One Night Stand

The 2005 and 2006 ECW One Night Stand pay-per-views were love letters to ECW fans. The atmosphere at the Hammerstein Ballroom was electric, filled with nostalgia, chaos, and genuine emotion. It was a perfect tribute to the spirit of ECW and remains one of WWE’s most authentic events.

The Return of DX (2006)

Fans had waited years to see Triple H and Shawn Michaels reunite, and when they did, it delivered plenty of laughs and memorable segments — from pranking Vince McMahon to the infamous “Vince loves cocks” moment. While hit and miss at times, it was undeniably entertaining.

Vince McMahon Gets His Head Shaved (WrestleMania 23)

The “Battle of the Billionaires” between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump was a massive draw and produced the highest pay-per-view buyrate in wrestling history. Watching Vince lose his hair was hilarious and unforgettable — pure WrestleMania spectacle.

Floyd Mayweather Punches Big Show (2008)

At No Way Out 2008, Floyd Mayweather legitimately broke Big Show’s nose, setting up their WrestleMania 24 showdown. It was a massive mainstream moment for WWE and one of the best celebrity angles ever. The segment felt huge — and it absolutely delivered.