There is categorically a problem within WWE regarding those that are seemingly too scared to stand up to Vince McMahon about their wonky creative, but the misadventures of Big Cass following a rancid SmackDown Live! 'comedy' segment earlier this year provided a big reminder why.
Maybe the fact it saw Cass interfering in one of the juvenile McMahon's favourite tropes was the major problem, but his decision to go into business for himself against a miniature-Daniel Bryan's got him all sorts of heat ahead of his maiden clash with the 'Yes! Man'. Cass was instructed to hit a single big boot, but instead laid into the extra in scenes that were edited out of replays and YouTube highlights in a measure of both intent and spite from management.
Those overlapping emotions clearly played into the finish of Bryan and Big Cass' p*sspoor Backlash clash. Just weeks after making a comeback that seemed to position him as the blue brand's top heel, Cass was having his heel hooked by the dynamic submission specialist. Cass wasn't spelling anything out for anybody anymore - the writing was already on the wall.
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
