10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (June 7)

6. Why Summer Rae Got A Standing Ovation Backstage

rusev summer rae wwe
WWE.com

The summer of 2015 will be remembered for two things. Firstly, that hilarious laughing session between Brock Lesnar and 'Taker at SummerSlam. Secondly, the painful as they come love square (if that's even a thing) between Rusev, Lana, Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler.

Incredibly, there's a silver lining to such unapologetic wrestle crap.

Speaking via the 'Ring The Belle' podcast, Summer Rae told how she was given full control over her promo when news of Rusev and Lana's engagement broke through TMZ. WWE told Summer to say whatever she felt on the 12 October episode of Raw. The result was a visceral backlash that absolved Rae of any storyline blame and made Rusev and Lana look like vindictive, manipulative gits.

When she returned backstage, Summer was shocked to see Stephanie and Vince McMahon leading a standing ovation for her with other talent. They said it'd been a home run and that asking her to script her own promo was a smart move. Imagine that.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.