10 Times Wrestlers Got Away With Ripping Off WWE

1. Eric Young

Undertaker Sting
Impact Wrestling

On April 6, 2014, Daniel Bryan did it: after a turbulent year, in which he became the most popular wrestler on the face of the planet but was buried for it (because WWE), he defeated three fourths of Evolution to complete his own evolution from goat-face to G.O.A.T. contender.

Stupidly soon afterwards, TNA did it: after another year of miserably failing to create an alternative to WWE, they imitated the Daniel Bryan storyline in the most laughable act of wrestling plagiarism ever. Eric Young happened to sport a large beard, and was thus booked to emulate Bryan's route to the main event. This didn't involve a storied journey, in which Young spent what felt like an eternity achieving an impossible goal. TNA booked his World Heavyweight Title win four b*stard days after WrestleMania XXX. The beauty in the agonising Bryan story was in how we all seemed to make it happen through sheer force of will. TNA simply forced through a title change to capitalise on it. The only accurate word is pathetic.

Some fans still greeted Young with "You deserve it!" chants. Fans are so quick to say those words that they probably congratulate the guy in the next seat for taking a p*ss.

You deserved that, mate. You really did well to wait four beers.

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!