15 Wrestling Matches You Won't Believe Happened In 2018

5. Dolph Ziggler Vs Shane McMahon (WWE Crown Jewel)

Jerry Lawler Joey Ryan
WWE.com

Sillier now than it was at the time, Shane McMahon's sweaty save of the Crown Jewel World Cup for SmackDown Live! seemed certain to turn him heel for some sort of high profile programme...until Nia Jax broke Becky Lynch's face.

The injury to the 'Irish Lass Kicker' expedited the need to turn Daniel Bryan heel, which in turn appeared to hijack a potential clash between the former and current blue brand authority figure. 'Shane-O-Mac's subsequent playing the c*nt act was resultantly binned off within weeks, condemning the trophy to the McMahon cabinet and Shane's heel turn back to the drawing board as he scuffles with the man he replaced in Saudi Arabia.

To watch live, it was simply more absurdity on a show overspilling with it, but in isolation it was even more ridiculous. Heel Miz injured himself against heel Dolph Ziggler, forcing babyface Shane to play a bully hero (!) against a man that had already wrestled twice that night. And squash him like the grapes that contribute to the fine wine quaffed around the McMahon dinner tables.

It didn't matter on the night of course, and barely even existed the following week. There went 'The Money'.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett