10 Wrestling Mistakes That Made Matches Better

3. Kevin Owens Vs. CJ Parker (NXT TakeOver: R Evolution)

Great Sasuke Jushin Liger Botch
WWE

One of the most important events in NXT's growth, TakeOver: R Evolution was bookended by Kevin Owens, who swerved "best friend" Sami Zayn after a main event victory over Neville, destroying the new NXT Champion to shockingly set up the WWE chapter of their years-long feud.

It was KO's first night under WWE's developmental banner. In R Evolution's opener, he walked out for a debut match against CJ Parker with genuine tears in his eyes, overwhelmed to finally be there. What followed should have been a straightforward battering. Parker would land a few slithers of offense but ultimately absorb Owens' signature spots, get the p*ss kicked out of him, and leave. That's pretty much what happened, though the intensity was amplified when CJ blasted KO with a mistimed palm strike out of the corner.

Owens' nose was busted open on impact. Parker cut his hand as well, but fighting through this shoot injury made Big Kev look even tougher and more uncompromising in victory, as he was made to labour through genuine hardship on this false finish.

Hurt as he was, though, Owens' real predicament was nothing compared to the worked one he'd put Zayn in later on.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.