10 Secret Messages Wrestlers Sent

5. Kenny Omega's INCREDIBLY Subtle Burial Of WWE

Ryback WWE
AEW

AEW is less than subtle when aiming digs at WWE.

CM Punk will enthusiastically and viciously rip the piss out WWE begging fans to attend WrestleMania with buy-one-get-one-free offers. Several wrestlers have been glimpsed watching the action on Dynamite from physically impossible angles to parody the fake absurdity of a typical WWE backstage segment. The "imaginary" brass ring is often referenced when an ex-WWE performer reveals their intent to become the best version of themselves in a promotion that will allow them to be it.

Throughout 2021, Kenny Omega had some fun at WWE's expense, too, but it was so subtle that it scanned as a secretive in-joke of sorts. When cutting a promo building his programme with Hangman Page, he reminded Tony Schiavone of a conversation they had "earlier today". Schiavone was nonplussed. They hadn't talked. This was Omega covertly burying Michael Cole's very unconvincing signature exposition dump.

"I was talking to Drew McIntyre earlier today, and he told me he is Scottish."

Omega's patter was so sly in 2021 that it escaped the usual toxic reception because many tribal fans didn't pick up on it. Perhaps that was the real punchline; his priceless "non-sports numbnuts" insult didn't get a rise out of the usual d*ckheads.

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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!