10 Worst Things To Ever Happen To Wrestling Creatively

7. "He Stole One!"

Liv Morgan Raw
WWE

A modern trope that needs to absolutely get to f*ck is the idea that wrestlers - most often babyfaces, incredibly - "steal" victories.

It makes no sense and it doesn't work. It's as horrible a finish as the idea of one's parents climaxing together.

The practise is done to leave a question mark hanging over the result in a carny bid to convince you to watch the next match. The heel won't be happy and will look to exact revenge - so hunker down and watch the same friggin' thing you just watched. Step right up, pal!

The babyface invariably looks like a gigantic dork in celebration. The Undertaker has so much to answer for, and that's not limited to his horrendous range of racist t-shirts; these goons are directed to look like they've just discovered a new precious metal every time they roll-up the Miz after eight minutes of a mid SmackDown match. They are made to look like they've just stumbled into victory, geeky and unskilled - elated by luck, that famous babyface characteristic - and the heel looks only slightly more thick.

What's worse is that these are honest wrestling holds securing victory. Bret Hart won titles with 'em for f*ck's sake!

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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 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!