10 Times WWE Was Literally As Stupid As WCW

9. Spending Money For Absolutely No Return

Ultimate Gunther THUMB
WWE

Lanny Poffo was famously paid handsomely by WCW to sit around and do nothing but indulge in his favourite recreational activity. And to think, Hulk Hogan spent even more time in the mid-'90s sucking his own c*ck.

It was symptomatic of the incompetence and nepotism that plagued and eventually killed the organisation. This sort of profligate idiocy was rife in WCW.

It's also rife in WWE - the only difference being that they can afford it.

The most glaring comparison is the bizarre and forgotten 2021 rehiring of Harry Smith. Smith is a capable wrestler, which is probably a euphemism. He drew not inconsiderable claim for his Bloodsport stint, and Killer Elite Squad were a fun gurning monster tandem, but few people were realistically clamouring for his return to North American wrestling TV. And yet return he did.

Sort of.

Smith worked a single dark match on the July 16 SmackDown, teaming alongside Austin Theory to defeat Odyssey Jones and Xyon Quinn. After that, he vanished completely - despite signing a new deal - before his release on November 4. Was this a favour to high-up producer and former teammate Tyson Kidd?

Or did Vince think he was Drew McIntyre before noticing his shorter hair?

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!