10 Times Great Wrestlers Got Lazy In Big Matches
Mailing it in from wrestling's biggest stages.
Professional wrestling might be "fake", but it's one of the most physically demanding sports out there.
Damage is unavoidable when your job involves being thrown around a ring for 10-15 minutes at a time. Gruelling travel schedules and escalating risk levels exacerbate the wear and tear, and countless performers have been forced into premature retirements on account of the damage done to their bodies.
Given the fate of guys like Dynamite Kid - who pushed his physical limitations too far, too often, and paid with his career - it's easy to see why performers don't always go at full speed. The sport's smartest wrestlers will coast through TV matches in second or third gear, preserving their bodies for the bigger bouts, with Shinsuke Nakamura a notable modern example.
Unfortunately, this explanation often stands as a convenient excuse for outright laziness.
A big spotlight should be enough to draw an inspired performance from any great wrestler, but sadly not. Even wrestling's biggest names mail it in every now and then, with dozens doing so from lofty positions on the card, dragging the match (and their opponent) down with their lethargy, and leaving the crowd shortchanged...
10. Brock Lesnar Vs. Dean Ambrose (WrestleMania 32)
On his day, Brock Lesnar is one of the most exciting wrestlers in the world. His power, athleticism, and intimidation factor make him incredibly fun to watch and he has produced plenty of classic bouts with opponents as diverse as CM Punk, Kurt Angle, and The Undertaker over the years.
Consistency has always been an issue for 'The Beast', however, and the current WWE Universal Champion has delivered more than his fair share of half-hearted performances throughout his career. It's always obvious when he isn't feeling particularly motivated, and this was clearly the case when he wrestled Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania 32.
It was no more than an extended squash match, and Dean was given little shine throughout. 'The Lunatic Fringe' was mauled, with Lesnar overcoming several tame weapon spots en route to an inevitable victory, dashing all hopes of a hardcore recreation of Mick Foley vs. Edge from 'Mania 22.
Dean later hung Brock out to dry, claiming "Brock didn't want to do anything", and that he was the only one putting in any effort to make the match stand out, which reflects on Lesnar's performance - rarely has he looked so lethargic.