10 Terrible Wrestling Moments (That Were Almost Even Worse)

5. Who Was Really Meant To Be The Higher Power

Erick Rowan Rat
WWE

The Higher Power was infamously risible.

In order for the swerve to barely work, Mr. McMahon had to torment his own daughter, who wasn't in on the plan, thus drawing Austin into the web. He had to traumatise his daughter, promote matches between the Corporation and the Ministry, which had to have either been faked or an injury risk to his various heavies, to betray Austin's tentative trust. Austin had saved Stephanie as part of the programme, and shockingly, she didn't slap him in the face to say thank you. This convoluted, entirely illogical scheme was revealed with an iconic line reading: "It was me, Austin. It was me all along, Austin!"

A deeply silly ratings smash, it proved if nothing else that it didn't matter how many worms had infested Vince Russo's brain. Steve Austin was simply too over.

It was, yes, almost worse: Russo pitched Christopher Daniels, under a developmental deal at the time, to play the role of the Higher Power. Daniels became a legendary and influential performer, but this was a preposterous idea, and Vince rightly shot it down. Can you imagine 'Taker taking orders from an indie wrestler?!

He wouldn't even treat Diamond Dallas Page with a degree of dignity. Is he really going to be lectured by some short-ass who doesn't even know how to work?

Who hasn't paid his f*ckin' dues?

He was more likely to bully the poor bastard in Wrestler's Court.

 
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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!