Theres something about the cache of live television. First of all, you know theres no spoilers. Youre out in front of every other sucker who has to catch the replay: for a change, youre the one wholl have to watch your social media posts for phrasing. Live tweet it at your peril. But more than that, theres the thrill of knowing that anything could happen. Your poor, hapless team of loveable losers are likely to get annihilated again, yeah but come on, this could be the one! For every boxing match that ends on a Mayweather, a safe exercise in scoring points, theres a Tyson vs. Holyfield II where someone nearly loses an ear. An ear! Pro wrestling is unique in well, just about every conceivable sense, as a form of entertainment. It apes the traditions, the conventions and the pageantry of sport, but its designed to give you that big fight atmosphere, that big game vibe. When it doesnt, its supposed to be because its building to an even better night at some point in the near future. It doesnt matter that its planned and scouted in advance, the action and the outcome agreed upon behind the scenes thats what guarantees the payoff, so whos really going to complain about that? And then there are the moments on live television where pro wrestling goes bananas when the weird, the wonderful, the inspired and the insane sets in, and you honestly have no idea whats happening. Its not all good, of course its live television, featuring physical performance theatre. That feeling you have of your heart jumping into your throat? When we say anything could happen, we mean it and that means bad things, too. So much of wrestling television is actually taped, which kind of ruins the fun a little. NXT and TNAs weekly shows dont qualify here, and Smackdown is almost never live: in fact, until Smackdown debuted in August 1999, Monday Night RAW was only live half the time. Wed love to include more ECW, but their live schedule didnt necessarily include their finest moments. As long as thats understood, then here we go: ten of the craziest wrestling moments on live television. Buckle up.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
