10 Worst WWE Set Designs

6. WWE's Pay-Per-View Tunnel (1998-1999)

WrestleMania X8
WWE Network

The sort of set that looks like it was pre-ordered a year prior, WWF's new 1990s boom didn't really show itself aesthetically until their dominance in the wrestling war was already well-established.

Many major events (including the 1998 and 1999 Royal Rumbles and the iconic and vitally important WrestleMania XIV) saw starts emerging through an uninspired circular light tunnel that was barely an upgrade from the standard doorway they'd used for shows throughout much of the New Generation.

If anything, this was a step back. The 1995-1997 entrance typically adopted the colour scheme of the show, and also allowed for some integration with the characters. Diesel and Stone Cold Steve Austin were gifted broken glass signalling their arrival, while Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon and Bret Hart emerged from behind beautifully lit perspex.

Thankfully, things changed as the money rolled in and a WWE returning to its former financial glory returned to old habits on the monthly specials.

 
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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett