10 WWE Stories Everybody Got Wrong In 2017

Facts adjusted for entertainment purposes.

The Undertaker
WWE.com

Fake news. It's a phrase in vogue since it was popularised during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, the result of which quite fittingly caused widespread disbelief. But where did the ever-incredulous POTUS pick up such a term? According to Donald himself, he didn't just invent the concept, but the very word 'fake' itself. That in itself is 'fake news' as we know better: he got it from wrestling.

The business we all know and love is built on mendacity. Watch wrestling long enough, and you enter a permanent state of mistrust. In a world where everything is fake, nothing is real, and wrestling fans are used to seeing through the wool constantly pulled before their eyes. As a consequence of his repeat appearances in the square-circle, Trump seemingly acquired that second-sense for bullsh*t also.

It's not infallible though; after all, the business is a dab hand at the lying game. Even the president's self-proclaimed highly-attuned nonsense detector would have been fooled by a handful of bogus wrestling stories emerging this past year. But hey, this is the post-truth era (if not quite the post-R-truth era).

10. Shawn Michaels Vs. AJ Styles

The Undertaker
WWE.com

The 'story': In January, WWE announced that their annual 30-man over-the-top tussle the Royal Rumble would return to Texas' Alamodome, 20 years after the venue hosted the 1997 edition. Many fans speculated as to just who the company could promote to fill the 60,000 capacity stadium. Many concluded it must be San Antonio homeboy Shawn Michaels.

It seemed a logical choice. The 'Heartbreak Kid' had headlined the show two decades earlier, and the drawing potential of a hugely unexpected but highly coveted return six years after his retirement was enormous.

Then AJ Styles posted this image, dousing the rumour mill with a massive dollop of oil. As far as many were concerned, it was on.

The reality: Put it down to wishful thinking on fans' part - not to mention AJ's. Sadly, the match was never going to happen, no matter how much we wanted to believe it. Michaels did make an appearance at the event, albeit in jeans and a t-shirt, merely as a means to rouse the crowd.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.