10 Wrestling Moments Everyone Misunderstood As Kids

4. Why Is Al Snow Brandishing A Disembodied Head?

Al Snow with Head
WWE.com

Al Snow was a curious character in the Attitude Era.

Amid the more realistic, edgy and relatable acts, like the the defiant Steve Austin or the bratty Triple H or the cocky Rock, here was Al Snow: an oddity who carried around a disembodied head. Was he some sort of serial killer, and if so, why was he so affable?

As homer fans of the WWF, we weren't to know the set-up to the punchline - that Mick Foley in ECW had suggested he had to "get a little head" to further his career. The dimwitted Snow took this instruction literally, hence the appearance of the mannequin. It was in character; Snow claims to this day that the only wrestlers worth a d*mn are draws, and the only thing Snow ever drew were the words 'HELP ME' across his forehead.

The gimmick generated mainstream controversy in 1999, when Kennesaw State University professor Sabrena Parton forced Wal-Mart to remove his action figure as a result of its problematic, misogynistic message. So he was a serial killer!

Much like Dave Meltzer naturally couldn't say "Relax, guys, I was only talking about her t*ts" to Peyton Royce a few weeks back, the WWF couldn't really respond truthfully to this allegation.

"He's not a misogynist - he's just too thick to even be a ring boy!"

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!