5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (Aug 11)

2. FIRST!

Mick Foley Joey Ryan
WWE.com

Is WWE an incredibly lucrative international monolith, the undisputed leader in its field - or a total geeking desperate to mark themselves as being the first to comment on a recently-uploaded YouTube video?

The company is promoting the SummerSlam Brock Lesnar Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Braun Strowman Vs. Roman Reigns headliner as the "FIRST TIME EVER!" the Universal Championship is set to be defended in a Fatal 4-Way match. A Fatal 4-Way bout has taken place for the title, when relinquished by Finn Bálor, on the August 22 RAW - but the pedantic difference is that that match was held under elimination rules, and since it was held to determine a brand new champion, there was nothing to strictly "defend". So what's happening here is that Vince McMahon, in a desperate attempt to shill tickets, is performing the saddest, most babyish of mental gymnastics. Even by his standards, it's astonishing hyperbole.

It's also pointless. Is it even that impressive? If the buy rate for 2010's Fatal 4-Way - a measly 143,000 - is any indication, few people actually care about the idea of a Fatal 4-Way match, only the talent involved in it.

The dismal profits generated recently must have compelled McMahon to enter full carny mode.

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!