10 Things That Made Us Embarrassed To Be Wrestling Fans In 2016
From bad impersonations to complete ripoffs, 2016 had its fair share of cringe.
WWE gave us so much to cheer about last year. From a marked improvement in all-round match quality to the entire Women's Revolution, it's hard to argue that 2016 wasn't a solid year for the company, even if business wasn't always booming. The ratings still suck, sure, but that's for the McMahons to worry about - not us.
AJ Styles debuted in January, and has gone on to become one of WWE's most important wrestlers. Guys like Chris Jericho, The Miz, and John Cena have completely reinvented themselves, and revitalised their careers in brand new roles. SmackDown has become WWE's most enjoyable weekly show in years, the Cruiserweight Classic was awesome, Finn Balor debuted...
The list of high points is almost endless, but 2016 wasn't without its downsides either. At its best, wrestling is one of the most thrilling and engaging forms of entertainment on the planet, but at it's worst, the sport is a contrived, cringeworthy mess.
WWE have always had a habit of swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other, often in the space of the same show. The company will never be perfect, and for all the good things they gave us in 2016, they provided just as many moments that made us want to bash our heads against the wall or reach for the nearest sickbag.
Here are 10 things that made us embarrassed to be wrestling fans in 2016.
10. A Good Lucha Thing
2016, unfortunately, brought some pretty horrendous promos to WWE television, but as bad as Gallows & Anderson’s “balls” jokes and Titus O’Neil’s botched rant were, nothing tops poor old Kalisto’s effort.
The plucky luchador was sent to SmackDown as part of the 2016 draft, and WWE asked him to cut a promo in the aftermath. They clearly weren’t looking for anything other than a quick soundbite, but Kalisto looked quiveringly nervous as he stepped-up in front of the camera. Kalisto clearly wasn’t prepared, and when interviewer Greg Hamilton asked what fans can expect from him on SmackDown, this is what happened:-
“Well… hey… I’m here, like I said before: I’m here to shock the world. I’m ready. I’m ready to show my lucha art inside and outside the ring but first of all, I can’t stop thinking about Barn Corn… Baron Corbin being on SmackDown. I get to have my revenge. Hey, like I said: I’m here to stay, and make… make a… uhh… a good lucha thing.”
Kalisto was so frustrated that he wrapped things up by running off-screen yelling “!*$% it,” and the promo has haunted him ever since. He’s lucky that it was buried on SmackDown’s post-draft wrap-up show and not the broadcast itself, but nobody who witnessed Kalitso’s “good lucha thing” will be forgetting it anytime soon.
Perhaps it’s time WWE sharpened-up their promo classes...