10 Most Creative Ways Wrestlers Cheated To Win

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Eddie Guerrero Mr Kennedy
WWE.com

There are numerous reasons why Roman Reigns being arguably the biggest heel in wrestling is extremely problematic for Vince McMahon. Far more than than the fact he's supposed to be the biggest babyface.

The boos aren't just killing the television product, the main events aren't just killing the pay-per-views, and the promos aren't just killing the matches. A fundamental inability to connect 'The Big Dog' with the audience is murdering the very nature of how characters are constructed. Roman can't choke somebody because the product is PG, but he can't deck somebody from behind because he's supposed to be a 'Good Guy' despite his protestations to the fact shortly after demolishing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33.

Samoa Joe had no problem taking shortcuts against him, but still couldn't generate hate in response. Nor could he, for that matter, convince Backlash audience members that it was worth sticking around to watch him try. Roman is immune to foul play, salvageable only if he engages in it himself, which doesn't look anymore likely than it has done over the last four years.

The death of the wrestling villain via Reigns is removing the need to be quite as vile, but it really shouldn't. Those that did it well deserved the victories that followed. Roman can't even buy a win these days, he could at least steal one...

10. Using The Roadie To Ruin Razor Ramon - Jeff Jarrett, Royal Rumble 1995

Eddie Guerrero Kurt Angle
WWE

Whilst Jeff Jarrett never received the full five stars from Dave Meltzer for this surprising January gem, there were other comparisons to be drawn between the former Intercontinental Champion and 2018 breakout star Andrade Almas. They both had deep familial links with the industry, they both used hideously ostentatious attire to raise the ire of the audience, and their alliterative monikers were tailor-made for Vince McMahon's brand-based empire. Most notable of all though, was in how neither of them remotely resonated with the Sports Entertainment audience until a bothersome ringside presence got added to their act.

Like Zelina Vega for 'Cien' two decades later, The Roadie was a vital component in getting 'Double J' over thanks to rampant interference - never better executed than at his Royal Rumble 1995 coming out party. Roadie was relentless in his assault on Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon's knee, clipping it for a count-out win only to run further interference when Jarrett goaded 'The Bad Guy' into restarting the match so he could steal his title when the wounded limb wouldn't hold.

It was a masterclass in chicanery - one Ramon would never get on-screen retribution for. Roadie and Jarrett were robust until their explosive collapse (and real life WWE exit together) following a July defeat to Shawn Michaels.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett