8 Worst Improvised Moments That Made It To WWE TV

4. Kalisto Does Good Lucha Things

Million Dollar Mania
WWE Network

While this didn’t technically make it to TV - it was broadcast on a Draft Center special on YouTube following SmackDown - it very much fits the brief of ‘Worst’. It was one of the worst improvised moments ever, and indeed one of the worst promos in pro wrestling history

Kalisto was drafted over to SmackDown back in 2016, and was asked to offer his thoughts on the move. Since you can’t remember anything the guy did, beyond getting trashed by Braun Strowman - which was on Raw a year later - it probably did not go well. 

Kalisto was immediately flustered, which was somewhat understandable. He wasn’t exactly Nick Bockwinkel with a microphone in his face, and he wasn’t given many opportunities. Then again, the guy was a pro wrestler, for Christ’s sake. He had to know this was coming at some point. You can’t be a baker and fear the oven. 

He started out flapping, immediately forgetting what he had to say - which was criminal, since it was generic fare about bringing lucha libre to SmackDown and dealing with Baton Corbin. He then began to say that he wanted to do lucha libre, and do it well - but he realised that “good lucha stuff” wasn’t particularly good. In a total panic, he then pivoted, after several pauses and wide-eyed existential crises, to “good lucha…good lucha things”. 

It was a hard watch, if you have a shred of empathy, but at the same time, hilarious. Kalisto knew that he’d just created a moment that would haunt him for the rest of his days. He said “Goddamnit!” in frustration before instantly remembering that he was meant to be excited about his big move to SmackDown. 

“Goddamnit woo!” he ended up saying, a crazy oxymoron that nobody has said before or since.

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!