10 Weird Times TV Shows Had Wrestling Storylines

8. Boy Meets World

Vader Basketball
Buena Vista Television

Boy Meets World was a quaint dose of Middle America beloved by the youth of the '90s, who watched it in a state of nascent hormonal frenzy (Topanga Lawrence), mild irritation (Eric Matthews, Todd Pettengill-sized dork) and a general state of serene bliss. Ah, picket fences, wholesome life lessons, hot chicks and America. Lovely.

In 'The Thrilla' in Phila'', protagonist Cory Matthews, anxious that he didn't achieve much in his first year of high school, joins the wrestling team. The varsity jacket goes to his head, and he soon integrates himself into the jock circle by roughing up a fellow student, but it's fine, because his teacher and mentor Mr. Feeny is a veritable mystic capable of solving all of life's problems with his silken-voiced wisdom.

F*ck Boy Meets World. F*ck Boy Meets World for its warm portrayal of a fake and simple world the real world never could match.

The plot descends into farce as Cory navigates success in the ring through dumb luck, but his luck doesn't last, for somehow, f*cking Vader deputises for a school bully and ends up in the opposite corner of the ring. Cory's brother tags in accidentally, Vader motions to maim him, but it's fine, because his teacher and mentor Mr. Feeny is also a brick sh*thouse.

A rich old white dude playing the pathetically aspirational hard man? Seems unrealistic, until you remember the existence of Shane McMahon.

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 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!