12 BRUTAL Wrestling Ribs That Made It To Live TV

3. The Big Show’s Fear Of Heights

big show brock lesnar
WWE.com

At Judgment Day 2003, Brock Lesnar retained his WWE title in a Stretcher match against the Big Show. For what it was, a daft sports entertainment spectacle, it was a lot of fun.

But, because it’s WWE, the fun is often the byproduct of malice!

The Big Show is scared of a few things. He once told Conan O’Brien that he’s scared of his wife. He’s also deathly afraid of clowns, informed by a traumatic experience from his childhood. And to think, this is a man who feuded and teamed up with Kane on multiple occasions. What bravery. The man should be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for that alone.

The Big Show is also afraid of heights.

Hence why Brock Lesnar, who was his mate but is also Brock Lesnar, decided to rib Show live on pay-per-view. At the finish of the match, Lesnar draped Show across the stretcher, which was affixed to a fork lift. Lesnar then lifted Show about 15 feet in the air.

Legends say Big Show turned heel twice when he was on that forklift.

Additional rib alert: Big Show was basically presented as Judy Bagwell here, because, well, they don’t call him the Little Event. The Big Show was often derided by WWE management for his weight gain, a recurring theme in his career. He actually “enjoys” the distinction of being sent to developmental for this reason after he had captured the WWF World title. Reaching the pinnacle, only to be sent back to training school.

That’s as backwards as anything Vince Russo ever booked.

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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!