10 Times Unlikely Wrestlers Stole The Show

3. Shane McMahon - WWF WrestleMania XV

ronda rousey stephanie mcmahon
WWE.com

In only his fifth match proper, Shane McMahon didn't quite steal the show - but he d*mn sure stole the undercard by entering a tremendous performance only slightly below the level of two of the biggest megastars in the history of the industry. For that, and rescuing WrestleMania XV from dreaded one-match-show status, his is a warranted entry.

Performing with a knowing and crucial pretence of brilliance, in diametric opposition to the Shane McMahon of post-2016, the Boy Wonder wowed a crowd not conditioned to expect something this good. Fought also at a point at which fans hadn't turned on X-Pac, the opening sequence was more layered than its broad comedy suggested: by feigning to hit the crane kick of Karate Kid infamy, Shane delivered a laugh and conveyed brilliantly the idea that he had no business being in the ring; he was a literal armchair wrestler, borrowing a move-set from the martial arts movies he watched on a bigger screen than all of the other kids.

And, later, by borrowing the Rock's Corporate Elbow, putting over his antagonistic, entitled cluelessness over all the more.

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!