10 Most Infuriating Stephanie McMahon Moments

3. SmackDown Moves To The USA Network...

Stephanie McMahon slaps Roman Reigns
WWE

...while Steph sits still in the back of the classroom, evidently too cool for school.

In the promos advertising SmackDown's move to the USA Network, you'd expect Stephanie and Triple H, who as very high-ranking officials would surely want as many people as possible to watch the show, to give them several reasons to do just that. This could have been achieved in all manner of ways. SmackDown has featured several iconic and historic moments over the years.

Even something as lazy as a montage, featuring the likes of the Big Show/Brock Lesnar ring collapse and Alberto Del Rio's World Heavyweight title win over the giant, could have been assembled as a means of convincing prospective viewers that SmackDown is appointment television. If they wanted to go with something more current, they could have wheeled out one of their hottest acts, like The New Day, to cut some form of comedy promo.

Instead, the Helmsleys opted to roll their eyes and be literally bored to the point of sleep at the marketing suggestions of their roster. This decision absolutely beggared belief - especially considering that Roman Reigns, their new top must-see attraction, was featured.

This might have worked on some underwhelming level had only the Social Outcasts been featured, but it was yet another example of the sort of indirect burial which has sadly become the norm in recent years.

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!