10 Most Random WWE Appearances

7. Tatanka Works For WWE...In 2016

Carolina WWE
WWE.com

The André the Giant Memorial Battle Royale means nothing.

That's inaccurate, actually. In the parameters of WWE's fiction, it means nothing. The trophy isn't an accomplishment. Nobody takes it seriously and it doesn't award the winner with a title shot or owt.

It does however signify which performers aren't well-regarded within WWE. It's WWE's version of the wooden spoon match, and it seeks to determine who is the least most irrelevant wrestler in the company.

Everybody who loses frequently is in there. All the jobbers. Many of the wrestlers who lose one week and win the next with no real purpose. A top star will drop in on occasion, if WWE can't find anything better for them to do, but they automatically feel less like a top star through their inclusion in it. Also Tatanka.

What?

At WrestleMania 32, everybody experienced the same out of body experience.

"Lads, is that f*ckin' Tatanka?"

It was in fact Tatanka, but why?

Did WWE want to spruce up the André with a fun Royal Rumble-adjacent surprise competitor? Did he just happen to be in the area?

Did an ageing Vince McMahon simply add him to the match thinking Tatanka still worked there, as a petrified staffer arranged to bring him in rather than tell Vince he was wrong and possibly losing it?

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!