10 Most Desperate Ways WWE Got You To Watch

3. The Promise Of Mutilation

Extreme Rules Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio Eye for an Eye
WWE.com

WWE got very desperate throughout the early, raw phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the introduction of the ThunderDome made WWE feel like a spectacle again, albeit in an eerie and relative way, the promotion was not in rude health. Ratings had plummeted to an alarming extent. WWE posted record lows by the week. The shows were abysmal. More than usual; Performance Center no-marks were inexplicably made regulars when the real regulars suddenly and suspiciously disappeared, Apollo Crews went 27 minutes with Aleister Black, the atmosphere was utterly bleak and bereft of star power...

It was a drab, depressing scene, and WWE recognised this. They proceeded to go full bore into insane b*llocks as the shows descended into cinematic farce. Anything wrestling-related was a hollow facsimile, so WWE attempted to grab your attention by embracing body horror at Extreme Rules. WWE being WWE, they were abysmal at it.

Rey Mysterio Vs. Seth Rollins was sold on the idea that you were guaranteed to see a man emerge from the match permanently disfigured.

Mysterio's eye was removed when Rollins forcibly pressed it against a blunt surface. WWE couldn't even be desperate and sh*tty correctly, as further illustrated by the prop.

Mysterio's extracted eye was a cue ball painted pink on one side.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!