10 Perfect So-Bad-They’re-Good Wrestling Moments

8. "Where To, Stephanie?"

At the close of Backlash 1999, The Undertaker kidnapped Stephanie McMahon as part of his ongoing quest to torment her father, which he did to...well. It was eventually revealed that it was a set-up all along! Bro. It's a swerve. We popped a massive rating, etc.

The only thing the storyline demonised was the WWF fans who watched RAW in record numbers throughout that abysmal onscreen year and allowed Vince Russo to never shut up about it. The Higher Power storyline was a retconned parade of laughably bad tripe - but this scene was such camp drivel that it almost excused the worst mystery ever spun by a wrestling company.

Stephanie entered a limousine, only to find that the Undertaker was at the wheel. He turned around to greet her. "Where to, Stephanie?!" he asked. Brilliantly, Stephanie's reaction was so over the top that she effectively drowned 'Taker out. His already arch cliche of an evil villain cackle had become a high-pitched squeal. The effect was as if the two naughty teenagers were excited about going on a joyride together.

This was totally stupid, even by cornball Attitude Era standards - so of course, WWE recycled the angle nearly beat for beat when The Undertaker told Teddy Long to "buckle up!" years later.

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!