10 Cult Wrestling Matches To See Before You Die

7. Koko Ware Vs. The Masked Patriot - Memphis TV, 1985

Tom Magee Bret Hart Still
YouTube (David Bixenspan)

Obviously not a classic in the vein of this list, but Jesus motherf*cking Christ do you need to see it.

This is celebrated as the quintessential "hapless jobber gets absolutely f*cked up by furious veteran" match. A masterpiece of schadenfreude, an entire mythology has sprouted around it. What did the Masked Patriot do to piss off Koko Ware so much? Did he racially abuse him? Did he break locker room etiquette? Did he bely his level of experience by taking Ware into the corner, conveying to Ware that he was the veteran?

In any event, Ware did not like the cut of his jib, and so, after cracking him in the back of the neck multiple times in, he decapitates him. He clotheslines his head into another dimension. The Patriot goes down like a sack of sh*t instantly, either very dazed or significantly concussed, and then Ware bludgeons the poor prick with so many stiff punches and kicks to the back. They are not working kicks; he treats him like an actual punching bag, and that's what the Patriot looks like, for all intents and purposes. He offers no resistance because he is incapable.

The red mist clears momentarily - Ware doesn't spike him right on his head with the Ghostbuster - but then, still absolutely livid, he slaps him square across the face during the pin lol.

Disturbing.

Also hilarious.

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!