10 Best Ever Excuses For Losing A Wrestling Match

6. (Not) The Chosen One

Zack Sabre Jr
WWE Network

Buff Bagwell's October 18th 1999 Nitro instructions were designed, bizarrely, to be the start of a major push, thanks to a blossoming relationship with new gaffer Vince Russo, In the sort of omnishambles that would become achingly associated with his tenure, the total opposite was achieved.

Entering earlier in the night for an interview that "wasn't on the format", Bagwell cut an enthusiastic promo about being "the chosen one" by his "new bosses". Less than an hour later, he obnoxiously served himself up to La Parka in kayfabe-crushing fashion.

As the announcers alluded to him not looking his usual self, Buff cut a frustrated figure throughout the entire contest, mocking all his own taunts and completely exposing the rhythm of the match - or, any match. It later turned out that the storyline management had told him he wasn't their top guy after all, and that he was due to lose to the Mexican star. His display was thus entirely in protest, and completely contradicted the fundamental tenets one has to accept about professional wrestling as a whole.

He was making an excuse for losing by allowing himself to lose because he was p*ssed off, on screen, with the real life booking of his character...was the storyline. 20 years later and even writing about Russos writing leaves one tied in knots.

 
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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 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 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, 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