For nearly 40 years, WrestleMania has been the biggest wrestling show in the world. WWE’s “showcase of the immortals” has gifted fans with unforgettable moments and all-time great matches. It remains one of the cornerstones of the professional wrestling industry.
Yet, for all its grandeur and history, WrestleMania is often a surprisingly reliable source of historically bad moments. The biggest show of the year sometimes lets us down in ways that no lesser event ever could. That’s especially true of the worst matches in the show’s history.
Before we dive into those matches, keep in mind that I tried to draw a line between “boring” and “bad.” So, while there are many matches from WrestleMania‘s early days that look bad through modern eyes, many of those matches were short and ultimately pretty forgettable. Instead, Iwe focused on the matches that left the darkest clouds over WrestleMania‘s history.
Yet, for all its grandeur and history, WrestleMania is often a surprisingly reliable source of historically bad moments. The biggest show of the year sometimes lets us down in ways that no lesser event ever could. That’s especially true of the worst matches in the show’s history.
Before we dive into those matches, keep in mind that I tried to draw a line between “boring” and “bad.” So, while there are many matches from WrestleMania‘s early days that look bad through modern eyes, many of those matches were short and ultimately pretty forgettable. Instead, Iwe focused on the matches that left the darkest clouds over WrestleMania‘s history.
- 4/5/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
When I think of guys in pro-wrestling who are unsung more than perhaps they should be, who have given countless memories over decades and who still manage to get in the ring and tell stories that will always be relevant and stirring, I think of Dustin Rhodes. When I began watching pro-wrestling in 1992, at just nine years old, I saw Dustin Rhodes working as “The Natural” in WCW. Since then he’s pretty much been a constant in the business, and one of those guys I always love to watch.
Dustin Patrick Runnels was born in Austin Texas in 1969, the son of the son of a plumber “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. He had big shoes to fill the moment he decided to step foot into a wrestling ring in 1988 when he debuted for Championship Wrestling from Florida. Since then, Dustin has put together a legacy over 32 years as a professional wrestler,...
Dustin Patrick Runnels was born in Austin Texas in 1969, the son of the son of a plumber “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. He had big shoes to fill the moment he decided to step foot into a wrestling ring in 1988 when he debuted for Championship Wrestling from Florida. Since then, Dustin has put together a legacy over 32 years as a professional wrestler,...
- 9/30/2020
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
Former WWE star Terri Runnels will Not go to prison after she brought a loaded gun to the airport ... TMZ Sports has learned prosecutors have dropped the case and she's now off the hook. We broke the story, Runnels was busted at Tampa International Airport on May 29 when cops say they found a Glock 9mm handgun inside of a sock in the ex-wrestler's backpack. In the pic of the gun obtained by TMZ Sports --...
- 6/24/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Former professional wrestler Terri Runnels was arrested Wednesday for allegedly carrying a loaded concealed firearm into Tampa International Airport. The charge is classified as a class three felony, which carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. The Glock 26 9mm handgun Runnels was allegedly carrying was loaded with […]
The post Ex-WWE Superstar Terri Runnels Arrested For Carrying Loaded Gun In Airport appeared first on uInterview.
The post Ex-WWE Superstar Terri Runnels Arrested For Carrying Loaded Gun In Airport appeared first on uInterview.
- 5/31/2019
- by Kaitlynn Keller
- Uinterview
1:55 Pm Pt -- Runnels claims she was carrying the loaded gun because she had just been called to her mother's house to deal with an armadillo that was digging up the yard ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports. Runnels told cops she simply forgot she had the gun on her when she went to the airport ... chalking the whole thing up to a genuine mistake. Cops say the loaded weapon...
- 5/29/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
WWE.com
WWE were on a serious roll in 2000. The inconsistent Vince Russo was out of the picture, WCW were getting weaker as the weeks and months went by, The Rock, Triple H and others were coming into their own as main event stars and the midcard was as exciting as it had ever been.
Everything was clicking and it seemed as though the product offered the best of both worlds: you still had the outlandish, Ott characters and storylines from the Attitude Era, but mixed in with that was some damn fine wrestling courtesy of the likes of The Radicalz, Chris Jericho, The Hardy Boys, Edge & Christian, Kurt Angle and so on.
Looking back, it’s really no surprise that the company were doing such good business, with critically well-received shows doing huge ratings and PPVs doing very healthy buyrates. You’d think that, given the momentum the company had at the time,...
WWE were on a serious roll in 2000. The inconsistent Vince Russo was out of the picture, WCW were getting weaker as the weeks and months went by, The Rock, Triple H and others were coming into their own as main event stars and the midcard was as exciting as it had ever been.
Everything was clicking and it seemed as though the product offered the best of both worlds: you still had the outlandish, Ott characters and storylines from the Attitude Era, but mixed in with that was some damn fine wrestling courtesy of the likes of The Radicalz, Chris Jericho, The Hardy Boys, Edge & Christian, Kurt Angle and so on.
Looking back, it’s really no surprise that the company were doing such good business, with critically well-received shows doing huge ratings and PPVs doing very healthy buyrates. You’d think that, given the momentum the company had at the time,...
- 3/2/2016
- by Lewis Howse
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The Attitude Era was a magical period for WWE. It bred some of the most captivating angles, memorable stories and unforgettable characters in the history of professional wrestling. It was also home to some of the truly great Superstars to ever compete in a Vince McMahon-owned ring.
The February 22 episode of Monday Night Raw brought with it the announcement that The Godfather would enter the company’s Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend. A massively popular star whose penchant for pimping hos and rolling fatties fit in perfectly with the tone of that era’s programming. He was a great opening match character in that he energized crowds and had them looking forward to the rest of the night’s action.
Never anything more than a midcard talent, he is still fondly remembered as an iconic persona.
What the Attitude Era did so well was give every...
The Attitude Era was a magical period for WWE. It bred some of the most captivating angles, memorable stories and unforgettable characters in the history of professional wrestling. It was also home to some of the truly great Superstars to ever compete in a Vince McMahon-owned ring.
The February 22 episode of Monday Night Raw brought with it the announcement that The Godfather would enter the company’s Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend. A massively popular star whose penchant for pimping hos and rolling fatties fit in perfectly with the tone of that era’s programming. He was a great opening match character in that he energized crowds and had them looking forward to the rest of the night’s action.
Never anything more than a midcard talent, he is still fondly remembered as an iconic persona.
What the Attitude Era did so well was give every...
- 2/27/2016
- by Erik Beaston
- Obsessed with Film
WWE
The WWF Hardcore title (1998-2002) was divisive. To some, it was an entertaining attraction that was perfectly suited to the midcard. To others, however, it was just a bunch of guys hitting each other with weapons for no rhyme or reason and lost its appeal very quickly.
Regardless of the perceived quality of the division and the wrestlers in it, the Hardcore Title was a fixture of WWF television for many years. The Hardcore Championship was originally supposed to be used in comedy segments but hardcore wrestling got more popular and the title was then pushed as a serious championship.
For the duration of 1999, wrestlers were putting each other through tables, hitting each other with steel chairs and jumping off of ladders in order to capture the belt. It certainly made for exciting television. The division was gradually phased out (it became ridiculous when people like Terri Runnels would...
The WWF Hardcore title (1998-2002) was divisive. To some, it was an entertaining attraction that was perfectly suited to the midcard. To others, however, it was just a bunch of guys hitting each other with weapons for no rhyme or reason and lost its appeal very quickly.
Regardless of the perceived quality of the division and the wrestlers in it, the Hardcore Title was a fixture of WWF television for many years. The Hardcore Championship was originally supposed to be used in comedy segments but hardcore wrestling got more popular and the title was then pushed as a serious championship.
For the duration of 1999, wrestlers were putting each other through tables, hitting each other with steel chairs and jumping off of ladders in order to capture the belt. It certainly made for exciting television. The division was gradually phased out (it became ridiculous when people like Terri Runnels would...
- 2/26/2015
- by Lewis Howse
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The 2000 Royal Rumble was a big event because the biggest draw in the company, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, was on the shelf with neck surgery. Austin was out from November 1999 to October 2000, so other people had to step up. Thankfully for WWE, they had guys like The Rock and Triple H waiting in the wings. In many ways, the 2000 Rumble was their coming out party.
This is the first Royal Rumble that took place in the “World’s Most Famous Arena” Madison Square Garden in New York City. That’s actually surprising just because WWE held so many events in Msg including some of their other PPVs, so it took them 13 Rumble events before they went to their favorite arena.
It was a time in WWE history where things were going well. They were making a lot of new money, they had a lot of new stars that...
The 2000 Royal Rumble was a big event because the biggest draw in the company, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, was on the shelf with neck surgery. Austin was out from November 1999 to October 2000, so other people had to step up. Thankfully for WWE, they had guys like The Rock and Triple H waiting in the wings. In many ways, the 2000 Rumble was their coming out party.
This is the first Royal Rumble that took place in the “World’s Most Famous Arena” Madison Square Garden in New York City. That’s actually surprising just because WWE held so many events in Msg including some of their other PPVs, so it took them 13 Rumble events before they went to their favorite arena.
It was a time in WWE history where things were going well. They were making a lot of new money, they had a lot of new stars that...
- 1/20/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Moreso a tremendous character actor in a pro wrestling ring than just another grappler on the World Wrestling Entertainment roster, Glen Jacobs’ near two-decade run as Kane in WWE has had more than its share of unusual moments. For the past 20 years, the way that the emotionally scarred brother of the walking undead Undertaker has related to both men and women on the roster has provided the most ridiculous, emotional, intriguing and always most gripping of moments.
For a ghastly pale seven foot tall man lacking eyebrows, Kane’s been in love more times than Elizabeth Taylor, married more times than Russell Brand, had more public meltdowns about romance than Rihanna, been more violent in and out of love than Chris Brown, and had more family strife than Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne combined.
From his bizarre teenage (pre-wrestling) love affair with Katie Vick, to impregnating Lita with his demon seed,...
Moreso a tremendous character actor in a pro wrestling ring than just another grappler on the World Wrestling Entertainment roster, Glen Jacobs’ near two-decade run as Kane in WWE has had more than its share of unusual moments. For the past 20 years, the way that the emotionally scarred brother of the walking undead Undertaker has related to both men and women on the roster has provided the most ridiculous, emotional, intriguing and always most gripping of moments.
For a ghastly pale seven foot tall man lacking eyebrows, Kane’s been in love more times than Elizabeth Taylor, married more times than Russell Brand, had more public meltdowns about romance than Rihanna, been more violent in and out of love than Chris Brown, and had more family strife than Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne combined.
From his bizarre teenage (pre-wrestling) love affair with Katie Vick, to impregnating Lita with his demon seed,...
- 7/14/2014
- by Marcus K. Dowling
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The WWF Attitude Era was famous for a few things: the addition of T&A, cursing, and obscene gestures to the shows; reality-based storylines; the lack of true “babyfaces” and “heels”; etc. But that era was also famous for the devaluing of once- prestigious championships. World Wrestling Federation titles- once the backbone of feuds and wrestlers’ worth- were no longer being held for months or years. Instead, they were: hot-shotted to advance storylines; rewarded to longtime WWF employees and/or McMahon Family Members regardless of talent; or used as a prop for comedy characters like Gillberg. It seemed like everyone who was or wasn’t anyone held a title at one point, even if it was a lower-tiered title like the European or Light Heavyweight Championship, or a token Hardcore title reign during the “24/7″ rule. Even one of the Godfather’s unnamed Hos had a brief Hardcore Championship run.
The WWF Attitude Era was famous for a few things: the addition of T&A, cursing, and obscene gestures to the shows; reality-based storylines; the lack of true “babyfaces” and “heels”; etc. But that era was also famous for the devaluing of once- prestigious championships. World Wrestling Federation titles- once the backbone of feuds and wrestlers’ worth- were no longer being held for months or years. Instead, they were: hot-shotted to advance storylines; rewarded to longtime WWF employees and/or McMahon Family Members regardless of talent; or used as a prop for comedy characters like Gillberg. It seemed like everyone who was or wasn’t anyone held a title at one point, even if it was a lower-tiered title like the European or Light Heavyweight Championship, or a token Hardcore title reign during the “24/7″ rule. Even one of the Godfather’s unnamed Hos had a brief Hardcore Championship run.
- 5/7/2014
- by The 'House
- Obsessed with Film
Copyright: WWE Top Rivalries 2005 Blu-ray
With apologies to the UK readers and other international wrestling fans who have to wait indefinitely, the good ol Us of A will be getting the WWE Network on February 24. And with it, we have access to every WWE, WCW and Ecw Pay Per View ever aired.
With all of this content right at our fingertips, the logical question to ask yourself is, “What the heck do I watch first?” My suggestion is that you watch the shows that fell a bit under the radar but were of high quality.
So take a little trip down memory lane with me as I present my list of 15 underrated WWE Pay Per Views you should definitely check out on the WWE Network. This list is in chronological order, and I’m selecting one show from each year starting with 1999 and making my way to 2013.
15. No Mercy 1999
If...
With apologies to the UK readers and other international wrestling fans who have to wait indefinitely, the good ol Us of A will be getting the WWE Network on February 24. And with it, we have access to every WWE, WCW and Ecw Pay Per View ever aired.
With all of this content right at our fingertips, the logical question to ask yourself is, “What the heck do I watch first?” My suggestion is that you watch the shows that fell a bit under the radar but were of high quality.
So take a little trip down memory lane with me as I present my list of 15 underrated WWE Pay Per Views you should definitely check out on the WWE Network. This list is in chronological order, and I’m selecting one show from each year starting with 1999 and making my way to 2013.
15. No Mercy 1999
If...
- 2/13/2014
- by Seagull
- Obsessed with Film
There are plenty of people out there who got sucked into the epic fantasy world of Game of Thrones on Blu-ray and DVD who are feeling a little blue with the show’s third season now airing on HBO, a channel not every Thrones fan has. It’s no secret that premium cable packages can be pretty pricy. So until season three hits stores next year, accessing the channel’s currently airing programming legally is pretty difficult.
While you wait, you could beg one of your friends to invite you over for a Thrones marathon or read the excellent books...
While you wait, you could beg one of your friends to invite you over for a Thrones marathon or read the excellent books...
- 4/7/2013
- by John Mitchell
- EW.com - PopWatch
WWE’s annual sports-entertainment extravaganza, Wrestlemania, is just around the corner with the main event set to be a rematch of last year’s showdown between The Rock and John Cena, this time for the WWE Championship. While the main event acts as the big draw, the colossal Wrestlemania always has a strong under-card on paper as the company put it’s top talent on show along with the annual showcase of who will try to take down The Undertaker’s undefeated streak.
Every now and then Wrestlemania puts together a match that outshines the mar-key match-up of the night. The matches not for the WWE Title, but instead the Intercontinental or Tag Team Championships. Not between Champion and Contender, but bitter rivals, lifelong friends or even family members (both kayfabe and real). When men fight for legacies and, occasionally, their careers, there’s a good chance that will be...
Every now and then Wrestlemania puts together a match that outshines the mar-key match-up of the night. The matches not for the WWE Title, but instead the Intercontinental or Tag Team Championships. Not between Champion and Contender, but bitter rivals, lifelong friends or even family members (both kayfabe and real). When men fight for legacies and, occasionally, their careers, there’s a good chance that will be...
- 3/10/2013
- by James Story
- Obsessed with Film
WWE Extreme Rules is the time of year where stipulation matches take centre stage, so what better time to look back at some of the strangest gimmick matches in wrestling history.
Kennel from Hell
Watch It Here
So a retired prison guard steals your dog, invites you over and tricks you into eating him. How do you get revenge? Challenge them to a, “Kennel from Hell” that’s how! On paper it sounded intimidating. A cage surrounding the ring, a hell in the cell surrounding that and in between those rabid dogs. The only way to win was to escape both cages and outrun those angry dogs. Sounds exciting. Unfortunately it wasn’t.
The first (and last) “Kennel from Hell,“ took place at WWF Unforgiven 1999, between Al Snow and the Big Bossman. Unforgiven was already an odd event before the Kennel even came out. The first match of the evening...
Kennel from Hell
Watch It Here
So a retired prison guard steals your dog, invites you over and tricks you into eating him. How do you get revenge? Challenge them to a, “Kennel from Hell” that’s how! On paper it sounded intimidating. A cage surrounding the ring, a hell in the cell surrounding that and in between those rabid dogs. The only way to win was to escape both cages and outrun those angry dogs. Sounds exciting. Unfortunately it wasn’t.
The first (and last) “Kennel from Hell,“ took place at WWF Unforgiven 1999, between Al Snow and the Big Bossman. Unforgiven was already an odd event before the Kennel even came out. The first match of the evening...
- 4/29/2012
- by Patrick Farren
- Obsessed with Film
'I don't think jail is going to change her; I think she needs to change herself,' one pal says.
By Terri Schwartz
Michael Lohan on "Larry King Live"
Photo: CNN
Lindsay Lohan was checked into jail Tuesday (July 20) for the second time in her 24 years, but though her sentence is likely to be shortened from 90 days to 14, there are many close to her who are arguing that time behind bars is not what she needs right now.
Her father, Michael Lohan, and his attorney Lisa Bloom, as well as Lindsay's photographer friends Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Marcus Klinko, went on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday night to argue their case, marking Michael's second time on the show to talk about his daughter's probation violation.
As far as the shortened sentence, Bloom said the move was due to overcrowding in Los Angeles prisons, not because of special treatment for Lohan. She...
By Terri Schwartz
Michael Lohan on "Larry King Live"
Photo: CNN
Lindsay Lohan was checked into jail Tuesday (July 20) for the second time in her 24 years, but though her sentence is likely to be shortened from 90 days to 14, there are many close to her who are arguing that time behind bars is not what she needs right now.
Her father, Michael Lohan, and his attorney Lisa Bloom, as well as Lindsay's photographer friends Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Marcus Klinko, went on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday night to argue their case, marking Michael's second time on the show to talk about his daughter's probation violation.
As far as the shortened sentence, Bloom said the move was due to overcrowding in Los Angeles prisons, not because of special treatment for Lohan. She...
- 7/20/2010
- MTV Music News
"Extra's" Terri Seymour sat down with "American Idol's" Simon Cowell after he appeared on "Larry King Live" with "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and the other "Idol" judges to talk about "Idol Gives Back."
"I'd say the entire show was uncomfortable," he told Terri. Simon tells "Extra" it got so bad he almost walked off the set, saying, "About halfway through I did actually think, why don't I just go?"
Even with all the tension,...
"I'd say the entire show was uncomfortable," he told Terri. Simon tells "Extra" it got so bad he almost walked off the set, saying, "About halfway through I did actually think, why don't I just go?"
Even with all the tension,...
- 4/20/2010
- Extra
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