Booking 10 WCW Concepts In Modern-Day WWE

7. World Cup Of Wrestling

Kevin Nash Giant
WWE Network

Pro Wrestling World Cups, done right, can be absolutely brilliant. Absorbing and engaging clashes of styles, the battles can make shows unlike any other especially when an organisation indulges in the abilities of globally renowned talents for one-time only affairs.

WCW didn't get the formula quite right when they handed over Starrcade 1995 to the concept, but an admirable USA Vs Japan thread offered up some intriguing efforts that strayed bravely from the organisation's traditional output.

As evidenced with the Cruiserweight Classic, WWE's access to talent in the modern age affords them the opportunity of bringing together far more than just two great nations for a similar idea.

It was something even TNA couldn't screw up during their daftest days. Utilising their own X Division talent as well as performers from all over the globe, they promoted their own version of the competition to critical acclaim from the minuscule audience that actually saw it.

In Shinsuke Nakamura (and to a lesser extent, Asuka), WWE have managed to finally promote Japanese talent without resorting to dated stereotypes. Furthermore, unlike the failed Jinder Mahal experiment, this tournament could actually further this localisation strategy.

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