Appearing for yet another interview that "wasn't on the format", Bagwell cut an enthusiastic promo about being "the chosen one" by his "new bosses", noting that success in wrestling was "all in the stroke". Strangely though, he looked thoroughly disinterested when he emerged for his match against La Parka later in the broadcast.
As the announcers constantly made mention of him not looking his typical self, Buff cut a frustrated figure throughout the whole match, mocking all his own taunts and completely exposing the rhythm required to actually have a pretend fight in the first place.
The finish was criminal pro wrestling negligence. Presenting himself for La Parka to kick him in the head, Buff mocked the process and yet sold the boot all the same. Absorbed the finish, but popped straight up afterwards. Asked Russo, on the announcer headset, if he did a good "job". It became clear that management had told him he wasn't their top guy after all, and that he was due to lose to the Mexican star. His display was thus entirely in protest, and completely contradicted the fundamental rules one has to accept about professional wrestling as a whole.
Then, in case you were concerned that enough tropes hadn't been ticked off, Jeff Jarrett jumped from the World Wrestling Federation and smashed him in the head with a guitar.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 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. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. 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
