This week in WWE history: Controversial RAW angle and home invasion; Vince McMahon betrays star in real life (November 4-November 10)

WWE is the biggest pro wrestling company in the world. The promotion has roots dating back to the 1950s. Around 70 years later, the company remains one of the most important parts of media and entertainment.

Throughout the years, the Sports Entertainment juggernaut has seen several peaks and troughs. From being a regional promotion to leading the national expansion, World Wrestling Entertainment has seen some of the highest highs and the lowest lows.

While RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and the company as a whole are experiencing major highs these days, thanks to lucrative deals and record-breaking attendance, some fans prefer to look to the past. Thankfully, those fans are lucky.

This article will take a look at four big events from WWE's history, with one show going back nearly 40 years, two from the 1990s, and one of the more unique and fun concepts of the 2000s. What went down?

Below are major matches and moments from this week in WWE history:

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#4. Stone Cold Steve Austin was nearly shot at Brian Pillman's home on RAW on November 4, 1996

The first entry on this list is from an episode of RAW on November 4, 1996. This edition of the red brand emanated from the War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Over 4,500 fans were in attendance for this controversial program. However, the big hook wasn't anything that happened in the arena. Instead, WWE fans were hooked on Stone Cold Steve Austin attempting to invade Brian Pillman's home and attack his rival.

When Austin finally broke into the house, Pillman did the unthinkable as he pulled out a gun. Shots were heard as the screen went black. As it turned out, he did not shoot The Texas Rattlesnake, but it proved to be one of the more controversial angles ever.

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#3. Booker T vs. John Cena vs. Big Show took place at the Cyber Sunday PLE on November 5, 2006

The next entry on this list is from WWE Cyber Sunday 2006. This was the first edition of the PLE, and it took place on November 5 of that year in front of an estimated 7,000 fans. The event was held at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

While this was the first Cyber Sunday, the concept wasn't new. WWE had previously held two Taboo Tuesday events, which also featured fan voting to decide opponents, special referees, and gimmick matches. Still, this was the first Cyber Sunday, which makes it part of history.

The main event of the night was a Triple Threat Match between then-WWE Champion John Cena, then-World Heavyweight Champion Booker T, and ECW Champion Big Show. The voting determined that the erstwhile King Booker's title would be on the line. However, the former WCW star went on to retain his gold after 21 minutes.

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#2. The first WWE PLE aired on November 7, 1985, known as The Wrestling Classic

The oldest entry on this list holds a major role in the Stamford-based promotion's history. The Wrestling Classic took place on November 7, 1985, in front of around 14,000 screaming fans. The event took place at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, which is essentially Chicago.

This show was historic because it was the first-ever pay-per-view (PLE) WWE ever held. While WrestleMania 1 took place earlier that same year, it was available on closed-circuit television. As a result, this show has the distinct honor of making history.

Despite that, the show wasn't actually great. It featured 15 matches, most of which only lasted a handful of minutes each. The big hook was a night-long tournament, which was ultimately won by The Junkyard Dog when he defeated Randy Savage by countout.

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#1. Vince McMahon betrayed Bret Hart at WWE Survivor Series on November 9, 1997

The final entry on this list is arguably the most notorious moment in the company's history. The company shocked over 20,000 fans on November 9, 1997, at the 11th annual Survivor Series, which aired live from the Molson Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Infamous for The Montreal Sc***job, this is the show where Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart went one-on-one for the WWE Championship in the main event. Due to Bret leaving for WCW shortly afterward, McMahon infamously betrayed Hart by having the referee call for a submission when it never actually happened.

Shawn had Bret in a Sharpshooter, and The Hitman was meant to reverse it. Before he could, McMahon made the referee call for the bell and ended the match, thus leading to a title change.