10 Wrestling Matches Booked Out Of Spite

4. Lita Vs Mickie James (WWE Survivor Series 2006)

Goldberg The Fiend
WWE.com

Trish Stratus' September 2006 WWE departure was so soaked in sincerity that almost nobody predicted it and even fewer imagined it was the actual end.

At an Unforgiven pay-per-view in her hometown, the beloved multi-time Women's Champion snared the strap yet again in a blinding battle with career rival Lita. Audiences trained to WWE's mean streak were stunned - Stratus was permitted to retire with the title and bask in all the glory that came with it, so when Lita was suddenly back in the picture ahead of her own planned exit in November, most safely assumed things would go the same way.

Wrong again.

Heel Lita put over Mickie James on her way out, which would have jived with all dignified traditions had she not been stripped of those before getting out of the building. Following the defeat, her retirement was converted into one last shaming of the woman who'd taken virtually all of the heat for the real life situation that had occurred with her, Matt Hardy and Edge a year prior.

Cryme Tyme were despatched to sell her personal belongings as she sold horror in the ring, including underwear, yeast infection cream and a vibrator because fundamentally stunted men rule wrestling and probably always will.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 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 almost 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 60,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL 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