10 Best WWE Segments Of 2017 (So Far)

7. The Brock Lesnar/Samoa Joe Pull Apart Brawl

Festival Of Friendship II
WWE.com

The pull-apart brawl has lost its lustre somewhat.

Much like everything else in WWE, it has been done to death. It's as much a part of the Lesnar act as the German suplex in 2017.

This update on the angle, performed by Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar on the June 12 RAW, did not have the same star power nor chaos as the 2015 version, in which Lesnar and 'Taker were at each other's throats in-ring and backstage. Joe, as the lesser star, was not permitted to bleed hardway like John Cena did in 2012. It didn't have the same drama nor novelty value.

Still, the angle was just good enough to compensate for the lack of originality and relative tension. Crucially, Joe was positioned as Lesnar's equal throughout, promising a far more intriguing dynamic to which we've grown accustomed since 2014. It was a thing of beauty when he kicked Lesnar square in the face. This was WWE telling us, even for one night, to expect two heels smashing f*ck out of each other.

That one of them is a new WWE act rubbing shoulders with an elusive part time talent is all the more refreshing.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!