9 Times WWE Promoted 'Freak-show' Matches
Watch out McGregor: Mayweather's done this before...
This Saturday's showdown between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather has been described by many commentators as a 'freak show', a peculiar pairing designed with the hope of attracting voyeurs intrigued by its spectacle rather than its sporting merit.
Whatever the outcome - or quality - of the clash of the conceited, the fight will guarantee the promoters need considerably bigger wallets. They don't call him 'Money' Mayweather for nothing.
Such 'freak shows', like the exploitative Victorian counterparts from which they draw their name, have always mindlessly vacuumed cash like a lost cleaner in a bank. They're nothing new - especially if you're a WWE fan. Two mega-stars from different sports competing in a complete mismatch, with personality just as prevalent of prowess? Vince McMahon basically wrote that playbook. And he's always recognised its potentially lucrative value.
In fact, he's even had Mayweather adopt one of the principle roles. Admittedly, that was pure 'sports entertainment', an entirely scripted tussle protecting both men's dignity. This next episode definitely won't be.
They wouldn't do that, would they? They're an honest bunch, promoters. And we definitely won't see one guy kicking the other's shins for an hour.
9. Akebono Vs. Big Show
In the book of Genesis, a snake-stickered apple (Granny Ssssmith's?) was enough to tempt Eve. Since then, humanity has been living in sin (possibly), and the direct result of this Biblical transgression was Big Show in a mawashi - a true reminder that we're living life outside Paradise if ever there was one.
It's unknown which despicable reprobate dreamed up Big Show vs. Hawaiian sumo sensation Akebono in the dohyō, or why their perverted ideas came to fruition. Thankfully, it was as brief as Show's attire was unnecessarily revealing, as the experienced rikishi flung the dilettante outside the ring within a minute.
Akebono wasn't seen in WWE again, and mercifully, neither was Big Show's mawashi.