10 Things WWE Stole From The Indies

7. Stylistic Elements

CM Punk ROH Title
WWE.com

WWE are the most restrictive wrestling promotion on the planet. Their in-ring regulations are legion, and while many argue that this has created an overly homogenised environment that isn't conducive to producing great matches, it's all done in the name of safety.

This is at odds with the stereotypical spot-heavy indie style, which many still misinterpret as a psychology-less mess of high spots and big bumps, yet WWE have 'borrowed' countless independent tropes over the years, particularly in their main event scene.

WWE's standard 'epic match' format draws heavily from the independent bouts of old, with many now identical in their structure. Those John Cena vs. AJ Styles matches were incredible, but each concluded with an impossibly long sequence of finisher kickouts, with little transitional work in-between. Such layouts aren't alien to WWE, but they've definitely grown in prominence over the past few years, with this particular series standing among wrestling's greatest modern spotfests.

It goes deeper, though. NXT's TakeOver specials are almost entirely comprised of workrate-centric indie style matches, and so were tournaments like the Cruiserweight and Mae Young Classic. The indies' influence is growing, and while pure wrestling will never conquer the world of Sports Entertainment, WWE's stylistic shift is undeniable.

Channel Manager
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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.