10 Failed Concepts WWE Needs To Revise And Revisit

8. The 21st Century Intellectual Blowhard

Lion S Den
WWE.com

Wrestling fans, like most people, despise being insulted. There is nothing more profoundly irritating than Paul Joseph Watson, or a know-it-all liberal equivalent, imposing his will via Twitter with such arrogant, patronising conviction - especially when they deal almost exclusively in the logical fallacy.

Transposed to the wrestling arena, the blowhard is a guaranteed heat generator. The problem, when it was transposed to the wrestling arena, is that the men behind the gimmick undermined it. Lanny 'The Genius' Poffo was a florid, unique promo, but it was difficult to accept his preaching, given his limitations in the squared circle. Damien Sandow was his spiritual successor; unfortunately, that extended to his in-ring game.

That's not a slight on Sandow. His "SILENCE!" schtick was solid midcard gold - but surely, such an act requires a genius technician-cum-swindler to truly draw the ire of crowds to a main event level that has thus far eluded wrestling's genii.

Think Mr. Perfect fused with PJW, and you're close to the platonic ideal of an über-certain wrestling heel in this age of mass anxiety and confusion.

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!