10 Most Infamous Matches In Wrestling History

1. Booker T Vs. Buff Bagwell - WWF RAW July 2, 2001

Chamber Of Horrors
WWE.com

The overriding perception - that the WWF fans were going to reject anything cloaked in WCW iconography - was rooted in truth. They for years had been conditioned to accept WCW as a lowly and derivative bush league. But some fans held WCW signs aloft. The appearance of the company logo on the titantron drew a pop.

The WWF took a half-a*sed and thrifty approach approach to recruitment, but went all in on the presentation of this WCW showcase bout, at least. WCW mainstays Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson were despatched to the ring for commentary duties. The ring curtain was changed to bear the WCW slogan, even if it was the WWF's new version of it. Buff Bagwell later suggested that the match was intentionally sandbagged - and he might have a point. It was as if the muted response had lulled him and Booker T into a fall sense of security before the opening bell rang. As soon as it did, the boos followed. Chants of "Boring!" boomed around the arena. If the match was any good, they might have turned it around.

It wasn't. The atmosphere grew yet more toxic. Many fans left. Those who remained witnessed an abomination, one which the increasing volatility could not have helped. Bagwell's positioning was all over the place. His confidence had been shot.

The match was as boring as it was botched - a dull exchange of basic slams and rest holds devolved into farce as Bagwell both bumped for and avoided Booker T's dropkick towards the finish.

Hilariously, it was at that point Norton decided to proclaim the match "the very best WCW had to offer."

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!