WrestleMania 35 delivered many unforgettable moments, but one of the most emotional and surprising highlights of the night involved Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. For longtime fans who had followed their journey from early tag team days to years of ups and downs, their victory felt personal. At WrestleMania 35, Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins captured the Raw Tag Team Championship in a dramatic and feel-good moment that proved perseverance can finally pay off. The match was not only about winning titles; it was about redemption, friendship, and ending one of the most talked-about losing streaks in WWE history.
The Road to WrestleMania 35
Before WrestleMania 35, both Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins had experienced challenging periods in their WWE careers. Once known as The Edgeheads during their alliance with Edge in the late 2000s, they later pursued separate paths. While Ryder enjoyed moments of singles success, including a United States Championship win, Hawkins faced a much tougher journey.
Curt Hawkins became known for his record-breaking losing streak. Week after week, he was defeated in singles competition, and the number of consecutive losses continued to grow. Rather than ignoring it, WWE turned the streak into a storyline, with Hawkins openly talking about his inability to win.
As WrestleMania 35 approached, Ryder reunited with Hawkins to form a tag team once again. Their goal was clear compete for the Raw Tag Team Championship and finally turn Hawkins’ fortunes around.
The Raw Tag Team Championship Match
At WrestleMania 35, Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins competed in a Fatal Four-Way Match for the Raw Tag Team Titles. The defending champions, The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder), were considered favorites. The match also included two other strong teams, making the odds even more challenging.
The stakes were high. For Hawkins, this match represented a chance to end his historic losing streak on the biggest stage of them all. For Ryder, it was an opportunity to prove that he still belonged among WWE’s elite performers.
High Stakes and High Pressure
Fatal Four-Way tag team matches are chaotic by nature. With four teams competing simultaneously, the action rarely slows down. At WrestleMania 35, the pace was intense, with frequent tags, near falls, and dramatic momentum shifts.
Throughout the match, Ryder and Hawkins showed strong teamwork. Their chemistry, built from years of friendship and shared experience, became a key advantage. Even though they were not positioned as the dominant team going in, they fought with determination.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The defining moment of the match came when Curt Hawkins was left alone in the ring with one of the champions. After enduring months and months of defeats, Hawkins found himself in a critical position. Instead of collapsing under pressure, he seized the opportunity.
Hawkins rolled up the champion for a surprise pinfall, and the referee counted to three. Just like that, at WrestleMania 35, Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins won the Raw Tag Team Championship. The crowd erupted as Hawkins ended his losing streak in the most dramatic way possible.
Ending the Losing Streak
What made this victory so powerful was the story behind it. Curt Hawkins’ losing streak had reached over 200 consecutive matches. It became a defining part of his character. To end that streak at WrestleMania, on such a grand stage, added emotional weight to the victory.
Fans who had followed the storyline felt genuine joy watching Hawkins finally celebrate a win. The combination of surprise and relief created one of the most heartwarming moments of WrestleMania 35.
Friendship and Teamwork
The success of Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins at WrestleMania 35 was built on more than just strategy. It was rooted in their real-life friendship. Both men had trained together and shared years of experience in the wrestling business.
Their bond translated into seamless teamwork inside the ring. They trusted each other’s timing and instincts, which proved crucial in a fast-paced multi-team environment. The emotional embrace after their victory showed that this was not just another title win; it was a shared achievement years in the making.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz
Following WrestleMania 35, social media platforms were filled with praise for Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. Many fans described the win as one of the most satisfying moments of the night. While WrestleMania featured major headline matches, this tag team victory stood out because of its underdog story.
Key reasons why fans loved the moment
- It rewarded long-term storytelling.
- It showcased perseverance and patience.
- It highlighted an unexpected but deserving team.
- It created a genuine emotional reaction.
In an event packed with star power, Ryder and Hawkins reminded audiences that even mid-card performers can steal the spotlight when given the right opportunity.
Impact on Their Careers
Winning the Raw Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35 was a career-defining moment for both wrestlers. For Curt Hawkins, it transformed his character overnight. Instead of being remembered only for losing, he became the man who ended his streak in unforgettable fashion.
For Zack Ryder, the victory reinforced his resilience. Throughout his WWE career, Ryder often found himself fighting for relevance despite strong fan support. Capturing gold at WrestleMania validated his persistence.
Short Title Reign but Lasting Memory
Although their tag team title reign did not last very long, the significance of their WrestleMania 35 win remains intact. In professional wrestling, moments often matter more than duration. Their triumph created a lasting highlight that fans continue to revisit.
Why WrestleMania 35 Was Special
WrestleMania is known as the biggest annual event in professional wrestling. For many performers, competing at WrestleMania is a dream. Winning a championship there elevates that dream even further.
At WrestleMania 35, Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins proved that hard work behind the scenes can eventually lead to center-stage success. While other matches focused on established main-event stars, this tag team bout delivered a classic underdog story.
The victory also demonstrated WWE’s willingness to reward patience. Hawkins had embraced his losing streak gimmick fully, even when it meant repeated defeats. That commitment made his eventual win more meaningful.
Legacy of the WrestleMania 35 Tag Team Victory
Looking back, the story of Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins at WrestleMania 35 stands as a reminder of why fans love professional wrestling. It blends athletic performance with storytelling, emotion, and surprise.
The match showed that
- Underdogs can triumph on the biggest stage.
- Long-term storytelling enhances emotional payoff.
- Friendship can be a powerful narrative element.
- Even unexpected winners can create iconic moments.
Years later, fans still reference this victory as one of the most satisfying payoffs in WrestleMania history.
Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins at WrestleMania 35 delivered a moment that went beyond championship gold. Their Raw Tag Team Championship victory symbolized perseverance, loyalty, and belief in oneself. Curt Hawkins ended a historic losing streak, while Zack Ryder reclaimed a spotlight he had long worked to earn. In an event filled with major storylines, their triumph stood out for its emotional authenticity. WrestleMania 35 will always be remembered not only for its main events but also for the night two determined friends shocked the world and celebrated a well-earned victory together.