10 More Wrestling Segments That Accidentally Filmed Things You Weren't Meant To See

7. The "We're Live, Pal" Moment You've Probably Forgotten About

Kurt Angle Thumb Final 2
WWE Network

If Bob Backlund isn't in some way unhinged, he is very good at working his particular gimmick.

He is, most accurately, an eccentric fellow, even if he plays that bit up when making public appearances in character. Now, if you add this component to an extra barely trained to perform in front of the camera, the risk of a massive f*ck up increases.

A massive f*ck up did in fact ensue in an early 2000 skit. Backlund was meant to play the role of a madman prone to misinterpreting everything as a slight on his charge. Somebody milling about backstage congratulated Angle on retaining the Intercontinental Title, and Backlund was meant to put him in the chicken wing, but there was a miscommunication. Backlund, not realising they were live, pal, wondered aloud whether the extra was meant to be standing up - on live telly, revealing the whole thing as a sham.

Angle's face was hilarious. He couldn't hide the f*ck up. Still very early into his run, he wore a very real "So is that my career totally f*cked then, or...?" facial expression.

Incredibly, since he was phenomenally gifted technical pro wrestler whom the fans really liked, it wasn't.

In this post: 
Kurt Angle
 
Posted On: 
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!