5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (Feb 2)

2. Graphic Violence

LOCKED DOWN
WWE

WWE didn't turn into some wonderland overnight, obviously: Kevin Dunn still works there.

On Tuesday's episode of SmackDown, The Usos cut an in-ring promo in which they bragged about their dominance of the doubles division. It was standard stuff - until the intelligence of the viewer was insulted in laughably ironic fashion. The brothers ran through the roll call of teams they had locked down in their Usos penitentiary. This concept is fairly easy to grasp; the Usos locked these teams down, and they were thus unable to escape with their their SmackDown Tag Team Titles.

The popular catchphrase has been in circulation for well over a year - but since WWE treats its audience as if the circulation has been cut off from our heads, the production staff displayed a layover graphic of prison bars each time they uttered the words "locked down". This was more on the nose than a bloody blackhead. Don't understand the words "locked down", you stupid idiots? Here, have some bars in your face.

This was the worst of the layover business - but the entire show was rendered inexplicable by such graphics. The word "ROCKSTAR" swept over Shinsuke Nakamura's in-ring appeals. Because they've not said that enough over the past nine months. Vince McMahon is famously ignorant of mainstream culture. Has he only just discovered the Adam West-starring Batman TV show? Godd*mn, pal.

What next? A graphic displaying a calendar every time Rusev mentions 'Rusev Day'? An image of Rosie The Riveter superimposed over Stephanie McMahon every time she takes credit for the work of the Women's roster? A shovel hovering over the head of Zack Ryder?

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!