10 Candidates For WWE’s Bizarre Post-WrestleMania 35 Push

2. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

Hey, Shelton Benjamin is something of a coup for AEW, in theory; never the most charismatic or marketable of performers, his athleticism is worthy of any midcard promotion, and what's more, as a very creative and influential performer, a producer's role surely beckons. But first, an out of nowhere push!

WWE has tried to compensate for Shelton's lack of inherent magnetism in the past, most infamously by pairing him with his 'Momma', possibly the most irritating character of the 2000s. This was all conceived to show off Benjamin's p e r s o n a l i t y, to shake him loose, to let him have a little fun out there. Vince knew there was something in this, and eventually, he got the early OVW graduate Michael Tarver over by handing him a trombone and a unicorn horn, some cereal and pancakes, and gear so colourful it burned the retinas. He is over as part of the New Day, Vince realises, but he's suddenly tired of them for reasons nobody can adequately explain.

The time for fun and games are over. There ain't no stoppin' this generic heel turncoat now.

This all fizzles to sh*t when Vince McMahon realises that both Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month already happened this year.

Contributor
Contributor

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!