10 Most Creative Ways Wrestlers Cheated To Win
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
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
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.