10 Things That Made Us Embarrassed To Be Wrestling Fans In 2016

7. Dean Ambrose: Prop Comic

james ellsworth smackdown contract
WWE

The Brand Split has been kind to Dean Ambrose, and he has become one of WWE’s most important babyfaces away from Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Being placed on Tuesday nights has given Ambrose the opportunity to become the protagonist fans always wanted him to be, and he’s much stronger for it.

Unfortunately, Ambrose’s 2016 had more than its fair share of embarrassing moments. WWE’s tendency to portray The Lunatic Fringe as a goofball prop comic has been his career’s biggest detriment in recent years, and while 2016 didn’t see attack his opponents with hot dog carts or lose to an exploding television, Ambrose still had his duff moments.

Dressing as The Mountie and messing around in a casino were just the tip of the iceberg. Ambrose’s worst moments came in the build-up to his hideous Ambrose Asylum match with Chris Jericho, when, for some reason, Dean started carrying a potted plant named Mitch around with him. Jericho, of course, smashed Mitch over Ambrose’s skull, but the less said about this horrendous feud, the better.

We get that Dean Ambrose is supposed to be a little off-kilter, but he’s far more compelling when this manifests as danger and recklessness than through lame comedy.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.