10 Wrestling Matches That Broke All The Rules

1. Hollywood Hogan Vs. Kevin Nash - WCW Monday Nitro, January 4, 1999

Mankind Undertaker Hell In A Cell
WWE

This infamous non-match broke a wider rule of business, and ultimately broke the fading notion that WCW was competitive against the WWF.

WCW falsely advertised a match, its biggest, arguably, one enriched with two and a half years of incredible backstory. It arrived as the nWo receded from relevance, split between two warring factions that literally diluted its appeal. WCW, after beating a dead horse, sought to bring it back to life when Kevin Nash theatrically flung himself to his back, handing the World Heavyweight Title to Hulk Hogan's fingerpoke. And thus, the nWo reformed, but this time, they fought a different war - a war versus the patience and interest of the audience.

This finish held that audience in complete contempt, and, feeling unvalued, a huge swathe of them put butts in RAW's seats. WCW promptly entered an irreversible death spiral from which there was no recovery.

It's something that remains true in wrestling right now; similar antagonistic and inconclusive finishes, and a chronic inability to create stars, have led WWE to this point of direct, formidable competition.

You cannot bullsh*t the audience for too long, even in the bullsh*t world of pro wrestling.

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 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!