Unforgettable February moments in WWE history

Usually, love is in the air during February. That’s not the case for WWE. While most people are rushing out to buy flowers and chocolates, Superstars and Divas are preparing to do battle in some of the most grueling matches WWE has to offer. The Road to WrestleMania runs through February, meaning some of WWE’s most memorable moments have occurred during the year’s second month. From shocking title changes to giants literally bursting onto the scene, these moments show why the shortest month of the year is often the most action-packed. (PHOTOS)

Feb. 20, 1978
Bob Backlund captures the WWE ChampionshipBacklund, a ginger-haired combatant with boyish charm, entered WWE in 1977, winning the adulation of the WWE Universe and almost immediately establishing himself as a top contender for “Superstar” Billy Graham’s WWE Championship. They were polar opposites, with the All-American, no-nonsense athlete facing off against the arrogant, bleach-blonde, muscle-bound powerhouse. In February 1978, the stars aligned for Backlund at Madison Square Garden. With a mighty running atomic drop, Backlund sent the massive Graham crashing to the mat for the three-count, capturing the WWE Title, which he would hold onto for more than five years. 

Feb. 5, 1988
Million Dollar Man’s scheme helps Andre the Giant take the WWE Title from Hulk HoganThe biggest rematch in WWE history was also the most controversial. Almost a year after their showdown in front of 93,173 fans at WrestleMania III, Andre the Giant and WWE Champion Hulk Hogan squared off again on NBC’s “The Main Event.” Andre emerged victorious after the original referee was knocked out and an identical twin official came into the ring. Secretly paid off by “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, the crooked twin counted the giant’s pin on Hogan, even though the champion had raised his shoulder off the mat by two. The Eighth Wonder of the World then surrendered the WWE Title to a gleeful DiBiase, setting off a whirlwind of controversy. 

Feb. 13, 1997
The Rock wins his first championship in WWEThe Most Electrifying Man in Entertainment is currently on The Road to WrestleMania to challenge John Cena for supremacy. However, during his rookie year, The Rock’s path to The Show of Shows was paved in gold. Nearly three months after his debut, the rookie Superstar found himself challenging Hunter Hearst-Helmsley for the Intercontinental Title on Raw. The confident champion thought he was in for an easy night, taking a little extra time to taunt his downed opponent late in the match. When the future Cerebral Assassin went to hit The Rock with the Pedigree, The People’s Champion rolled him up for a three-count to capture his first of many championships and set off one of WWE's fiercest rivalries. 

Feb. 14, 1999
Big Show debuts in surprising fashionOne would imagine it to be difficult for a 7-foot, 400-plus-pound Superstar to hide anywhere. But, Big Show managed to hide under a WWE ring until the moment was right to announce his arrival. That moment came at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1999, when “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Mr. McMahon attempted to settle their bitter rivalry in a Steel Cage Match. The two were in the midst of a vicious battle when a hole was torn through the canvas and Big Show emerged, shocking the WWE Universe. The World’s Largest Athlete came to the aid of Mr. McMahon, manhandling The Texas Rattlesnake. However, Show used a little too much of his massive strength that night. As he tossed Austin through the cage, he cost the WWE Chairman the match and ensured that their rivalry would last even longer. 

Feb. 15, 2004
Eddie Guerrero wins the WWE ChampionshipDespite being one of WWE’s most popular Superstars, sports-entertainment’s top prize had eluded Eddie Guerrero for much of his career. Latino Heat was at the top of his game in 2004 and earned a title opportunity against the monstrous Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004. The future WWE Hall of Famer seemed to be outmatched by the powerful champion, but a king-sized spear from Goldberg to Lesnar opened the door for the crafty challenger. Guerrero took advantage of Lesnar introducing the championship into the match, reversing the champion’s F-5 into a DDT onto the title. Latino Heat took flight, crashing down on Lesnar with his trademark Frog Splash while the WWE Universe went into a frenzy, watching Guerrero capture his first and only WWE Title.