Special thanks to an anonymous user for suggesting this match. If you'd like to see a match covered on the Worst in the World, leave a comment down below. Also, click the link here to vote in the poll and help decide the next edition of the Worst in the World.
On the October 22, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, Mr. Brodie Lee would defeat Cody for the AEW TNT Championship in a shocking squash match. It was great, and quickly established Brodie Lee as a dominant threat. Months after the match, Cody himself would say that the choice to go with a squash match was inspired by another squash match nearly 23 years earlier. That squash match came from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where a debuting Big Van Vader would crush Antonio Inoki after he had already had a match. Why am I telling you this? Because about eight months later, AEW would decide to incorporate another idea from New Japan and Antonio Inoki...
Inoki-ism
Yes, good old Inoki-ism, the name given to its namesake's push to blend professional wrestling and mixed martial arts during MMA's boom in popularity in the 90s and early 2000s. In fairness, Inoki and New Japan were far from the only ones who've tried to incorporate other combat sports into wrestling. WWE and WCW have both had worked boxing matches on their cards before. ECW once had Tazz fight UFC competitor Paul Varelans in a "shoot fight." TNA once had AJ Styles work an MMA match with Frank Trigg. Hell, after Inoki brought kickboxer Bob Sapp into New Japan for a match in 2002, All Japan Pro-Wrestling would not only bring in Sapp a month later, but would even bring in Sapp's K-1 rival Ernesto Hoost to have the two wrestle. That being said, Inoki & New Japan definitely pushed this blend harder than anyone else, whether it be through having MMA fighters step into the ring and going over the established wrestlers, pushing wrestlers based on their success in MMA, or wrestlers taking MMA fights against opponents they're vastly outmatched against...like Yuji Nagata.
Never not gonna bring it up. But as for this match, we're gonna take a look at AEW's take on Inoki-ism, an MMA Rules Cage match between Jake Hager and Wardlow.
This match comes about as part of the stable vs stable feud between the Chris Jericho-led Inner Circle, and the MJF-led Pinnacle. Hager & Wardlow, the big men of the Inner Circle and the Pinnacle, respectively, would cross paths as the other members of their groups would pair off. The two had a pretty solid match on Dynamite five months prior, so this could've been fine, but for this match, they'd play off Hager's legit undefeated MMA background (3-0, though with one no-contest) and have the match inside the octagon. However, as has been the case time and time again, this attempt to blend MMA and wrestling fell short, as the match holds a 3.74 rating on Cagematch.net. While it's far from the worst-rated match AEW has ever had, it's a lot closer to the bottom than it is to the top.
Wardlow's out first with Pinnacle stablemate Shawn Spears by his side. He's out in his normal singlet, only he's got his feet wrapped instead of wearing his boots, which is kind of a funny visual. A ringside cutman (I think that's who this was) applies petroleum jelly to Wardlow before patting him down. Wardlow enters the cage as Hager comes out with Chris Jericho (whose arm is in a brace) by his side. Hager gets the same treatment from another cutman before entering the cage. Justin Roberts does the ring introductions (after both men have entered like in MMA, as opposed to as they come out like in an average wrestling match), before saying the match can only end in knockout, submission, or TKO, with no judges decisions. and that Aubrey Edwards will be the referee. Roberts announces both men, with Wardlow being announced as "1-0 against Jake Hager", while Hager gets the nickname "Rock Hard", which yes, is even funnier if you know the context. Also, on a related note, I know Wardlow is probably pointing to his name on the back of his singlet, but it definitely just looks like he wants you to admire upon rat tail.
Aubrey Edwards asks the men to touch gloves. They do not.
Round 1 kicks off with the two feeling each other out, each throwing jabs but neither really landing anything significant. Hager goes for the takedown, but Wardlow blocks it and forces Hager into the cage wall. Hager shoves Wardlow away and, after a brief pause, lands a quick left. I will say, the crowd is a lot more invested in this than a lot of the faux-combat sports matches I've covered here. We get another pause before Hager lands two more shots, first a blow to the body before kicking Wardlow's left leg. Hager lands another kick and goes for another takedown, forcing Wardlow into the wall. Wardlow stays up, however, powering Hager up and tossing him away.
Hager responds with a successful takedown, but quickly lets him back up. Hager takes Wardlow down again and lays into him with hammer fists, but Wardlow escapes with an up-kick. Hager lands another kick, but a second one is caught by Wardlow, who quickly clocks Hager and knocks him down. Hager gets to his feet quickly, but Wardlow forces him into the cage wall and strikes away at him. Wardlow scoops Hager up and slams him down before going to the ground-and-pound. Hager is able to escape and get to his feet, where the two trade haymakers, but Wardlow gets the better of the exchange, shoving Hager into the cage wall before running, jumping onto the cage, and bouncing back with a Superman Punch. That might seem like something that clearly breaks the rules, but as far as I can tell (and if Anthony Pettis has taught me anything) running & jumping off the cage to strike someone is not illegal in MMA. Hager staggers around the ring as Wardlow strikes away at him. Wardlow punches Hager down to one knee in the corner, but the bell rings before he gets the finish to end the round.
Both men go to their corners while Spears & Jericho each assist their respective men. Round 2 starts with Wardlow sprinting across the octagon and going for a flying knee. Hager avoids it, but is still reeling from the last round. Hager avoids a follow-up kick and grabs a waistlock, but Wardlow is able to put Hager in a wristlock and take him down to the mat. Wardlow goes back to the ground-and-pound, laying into Hager as Hager tries to block the strikes. Wardlow goes for an armbar, but Hager blocks it and rolls over, taking control. Hager lands body shots & hammer fists before going for his own armbar, but Wardlow blocks it. Hager transitions to a triangle choke, but Wardlow is able to lift Hager up and slam him down before he gets it fully locked in.
Wardlow goes back to the strikes, but Hager picks the ankle and locks in the ankle lock. Wardlow doesn't tap, however, and rolls over before kicking Hager away. Hager keeps control with a kick, but a second one is caught by Wardlow, who lifts Hager up, powerbomb him into the cage wall, and follows up with a hurricanrana, sending Hager down to the mat. While I haven't been able to find anything that says you're allowed to do things like that in MMA, I haven't seen anything that says you can't do it, so I don't know. Wardlow follows up with a spear and the ground-and-pound, but Hager quickly catches him in the arm triangle. Wardlow manages to fight to his feet and gets Hager up for the F-10 (the F-5), but Hager slips out, hits an Uranage, and locks the arm triangle back in. Wardlow flips off Chris Jericho as he passes out, giving Hager the win.
Babyface Hager tries to shake Wardlow's hand, and it looks like Wardlow actually goes to shake it, only for Hager to get blindsided by Shawn Spears. Jericho runs in to attack Spears, but Wardlow joins Spears to double-team him. All four men brawl as MJF runs out and into the octagon. MJF attacks Jericho from behind before locking in the Salt of the Earth (a Fujiwara armbar) on Jericho's injured arm. The attack is broken up by producer Dean Malenko, who MJF ends up clocking in retaliation. Sammy Guevara runs out, hopping the cage wall and taking out Spears. Guevara goes after MJF, but he & Wardlow escape the cage before he can get to them. Guevara checks on Jericho to end the segment.
The Verdict
Honestly, not as bad as I thought it would be. It's obviously not much of a wrestling match, and the fact that Wardlow just kind of starts busting out wrestling moves halfway through kind of defeats the purpose, but it's not too much of a chore to watch. It's probably the most enjoyable "combat sports" match I've covered on this series, even if that bar is pretty much underground. This is going toward the top of the list.
The Rankings (Best to Worst)
- Sgt. Slaughter vs Colonel DeBeers-AWA SuperClash III
- Jake Roberts vs George Wells-WrestleMania 2
- Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart vs D'Lo Brown & Test-WrestleMania XV
- Tommy Dreamer vs Bully Ray-Victory Road 2011
- Corporal Cajun & Lt. Loco vs The Perfect Event-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Triple H vs Kevin Nash-TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs 2011
- Wrath vs Glacier-World War 3 1998
- The Rock's 25th Anniversary Battle Royal-Survivor Series 2021
- Hardcore Holly vs Billy Gunn vs Al Snow-WrestleMania XV
- Wendi Richter & The Top Gunns vs The Diamond Exchange-AWA SuperClash III
- Wahoo McDaniel vs Manny Fernandez-AWA SuperClash III
- Rick Rude vs Jake Roberts-WrestleMania IV
- Too Much vs Al Snow & Head-King of the Ring 1998
- Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns-Greatest Royal Rumble
- The Fatal 4-Way Intercontinental Championship Match-WrestleMania XV
- Ernest Miller vs Norman Smiley-Fall Brawl 1998
- The Concrete Crypt Match-The Great American Bash 2004
- Shane McMahon vs Eric Bischoff-SummerSlam 2003
- Mordecai vs Hardcore Holly-The Great American Bash 2004
- Luther Reigns vs Charlie Haas-The Great American Bash 2004
- The Tag Team Gauntlet-Extreme Rules 2010
- The Gimmick Battle Royal-WrestleMania X-Seven
- Hernandez vs Matt Morgan-Victory Road 2011
- Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt-WrestleMania 33
- Vampiro vs Sting-Great American Bash 2000
- T&A vs Head Cheese-WrestleMania 2000
- Jake Hager vs Wardlow-AEW Dynamite (6/6/2021)
- David Arquette & Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett & Eric Bischoff-WCW Thunder (4/26/2000)
- Tyson Fury vs Braun Strowman-Crown Jewel 2019
- The Texas Tornado vs Dino Bravo-WrestleMania VII
- The Women's Tag Team Turmoil-WrestleMania 37 (Night 1)
- Triple H vs Sgt. Slaughter-D-Generation X: In Your House
- Konnan vs One Man Gang-SuperBrawl VI
- Ultimate Warrior vs Hercules-WrestleMania IV
- Candice LeRae vs Christina Von Eerie-PWG DIO!
- The Fabulous Moolah vs Velvet McIntyre-WrestleMania 2
- Rick Rude vs Hawk-Clash of the Champions XXV
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs The Stud Stable-AWA SuperClash III
- Ernest Miller vs Disco Inferno-Bash at the Beach 1999
- Shelton Benjamin vs Viscera-New Year's Revolution 2006
- Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar-WrestleMania 38 (Night 2)
- Carmella vs Asuka-Money in the Bank 2018
- Steve McMichael vs Reggie White-Slamboree 1997
- General Rection vs Lance Storm & Jim Duggan-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Chyna vs Ivory-WrestleMania X-Seven
- Lars Sullivan vs Lucha House Party-Super Showdown 2019
- The Last Rites Match-Destination X 2007
- Alexa Bliss vs Bayley-Extreme Rules 2017
- The Tag Team Fatal 4-Way Match-WrestleMania 13
- The Barbed Wire Christmas Tree Match-TNA iMPACT (12/20/2007)
- Gunner vs Garett Bischoff-Against All Odds 2012
- Tag Team Battle Royal-WrestleMania XIV
- EVIL vs Tomohiro Ishii-Wrestle Kingdom 16 (Day 1)
- The Chamber of Horrors-Halloween Havoc 1991
- Toru Yano vs Great O-Khan-New Japan Cup 2021 (Day 6)
- Legion of Doom vs Power & Glory-WrestleMania VII
- Corporal Kirchner vs Nikolai Volkoff-WrestleMania 2
- Glacier vs Wrath-The Great American Bash 1997
- The Mountie vs Tito Santana-WrestleMania VII
- The Natural Disasters vs Money Inc.-WrestleMania VIII
- Ivan Koloff vs Paul Jones-Clash of the Champions IV
- ODB, Taylor Wilde, and Roxxi vs The Kongtourage-Genesis 2009
- Kane vs Triple H-WrestleMania XV
- Rachel Evers vs Marti Belle-Mae Young Classic (Episode 2)
- Jake Roberts vs Rick Martel-WrestleMania VII
- Kazushi Sakuraba & Yuji Nagata vs Daniel & Rolles Gracie-Wrestle Kingdom 8
- Ivory vs Tori-SummerSlam 1999
- Giant Baba vs Bulldog Bob Brown-AWA WrestleRock
- The Reverse Battle Royal-Impact! (10/26/2006)
- The Undertaker vs King Mabel-In Your House 5: Season's Beatings
- Savio Vega vs Rocky Maivia-In Your House 14: Revenge of the Taker
- Jerry Blackwell vs Boris Zhukov-SuperClash II
- Nikita Koloff vs Bobby Eaton-Bunkhouse Stampede
- Alex Wright vs Steve McMichael-Halloween Havoc 1997
- The Great Khali vs Kane-WrestleMania 23
- Genichiro Tenryu & Koji Kitao vs Demolition-WrestleMania VII
- Savio Vega vs Crush vs Faarooq-Ground Zero: In Your House
- The Shockmaster vs Awesome/King Kong-Starrcade 1993
- Greg Gagne vs Ron Garvin-AWA SuperClash III
- Total Divas vs Other Divas-Survivor Series 2013
- Randy Savage vs George Steele-WrestleMania 2
- The Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber-Elimination Chamber 2015
- The Oddities vs Kaientai-SummerSlam 1998
- Paul Orndorff vs The Magnifcent Muraco-WrestleMania 2
- Team RAW vs Team SmackDown Men's Elimination Match-Survivor Series 2017
- Earthquake vs Greg Valentine-WrestleMania VII
- Rick Steiner vs Van Hammer-Bash at the Beach 1999
- Triple H vs Randy Orton-WrestleMania 25
- Hulk Hogan vs Sid Justice-WrestleMania VIII
- Paul Ellering vs Teddy Long-Capital Combat
- Dusty Rhodes vs Big Boss Man-Saturday Night's Main Event (10/31/1989)
- The First Blood DNA Match-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Konnan vs Scott Hall-Fall Brawl 1998
- Damian Priest vs The Miz-WrestleMania Backlash
- Tyson Tomko vs Stevie Richards-Unforgiven 2004
- Kane vs The Great Khali-SummerSlam 2009
- The 2022 Women's Royal Rumble
- Rick Steiner vs Scott Steiner-Fall Brawl 1998
- The Extreme Elimination Chamber-December to Dismember 2006
- Hollywood Hogan vs The Giant-Hog Wild
- Hollywood Hogan vs The Giant-Souled Out 1997
- Dustin Rhodes & King Kong vs Awesome Kong & The Equalizer-Battlebowl
- Finlay & Little Bastard vs The Boogeyman & Little Boogeyman-No Way Out 2007
- Mr. Anderson vs Rob Van Dam-Victory Road 2011
- Hulk Hogan vs Sgt. Slaughter-WrestleMania VII
- Jake Roberts vs Andre the Giant-WrestleMania V
- El Gigante vs Nailz-G1 Climax 1994 (Day 1)
- Yokozuna vs King Mabel-In Your House 4
- Dusty Rhodes vs The Honky Tonk Man-SummerSlam 1989
- Sting & Hawk vs Meng & Kurasawa-Clash of the Champions XXXI
- The Hurt Business vs RETRIBUTION-WWE Monday Night RAW (10/26/2020)
- Mankind vs Paul Wight-WrestleMania XV
- Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage-Uncensored 1998
- Santino Marella vs Heath Slater-WWE Friday Night SmackDown (9/27/2013)
- Al Snow vs Big Boss Man-Unforgiven 1999
- Vince Russo vs Ric Flair-WCW Monday Nitro (6/5/2000)
- Allie vs Leva Bates-Fyter Fest 2019
- Mickie James vs Ashley-Royal Rumble 2006
- Antonio Inoki vs The Great Antonio-NJPW Sumo Hall Show (12/8/1977)
- Christy Hemme vs Big Fat Oily Guy-Against All Odds 2007
- Kenzo Suzuki vs Billy Gunn-The Great American Bash 2004
- The Big Show vs Erick Rowan-TLC: Tables, Ladders, Chairs 2014
- British Bulldog & Jim Neidhart vs The Dancing Fools-Fall Brawl 1998
- Stevie Ray vs Konnan-World War 3 1998
- Vampiro vs The KISS Demon-Bash at the Beach 2000
- Team WCW vs nWo Wolfpac vs nWo Hollywood-Fall Brawl 1998
- Vampiro vs Oklahoma-Starrcade 1999
- Diesel vs King Mabel-SummerSlam 1995
- Big Swole vs Penelope Ford, Rebel, and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.-AEW Dynamite (8/27/2020)
- Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant-WrestleMania III
- The Undertaker vs The Big Bossman-WrestleMania XV
- Jinder Mahal vs Randy Orton-Battleground 2017
- Van Hammer vs Terrance Taylor-Clash of the Champions XVI
- Goldberg vs KroniK-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Junkyard Dog vs Moondog Spot-Wrestling Classic
- The New Blood Gauntlet-WCW Monday Nitro (6/5/2000)
- Chris Jericho vs "Goldberg"-Fall Brawl 1998
- Jimmy Valiant vs Wayne Bloom-AWA SuperClash III
- Hulk Hogan vs Kevin Nash-WCW Monday Nitro (1/4/1999)
- Sting vs Hulk Hogan-Halloween Havoc 1999
- Hulk Hogan vs Jeff Jarrett-Bash at the Beach 2000
- Randy Savage & Sid Vicious vs Kevin Nash & Sting-Bash at the Beach 1999
- Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano vs EVIL & Dick Togo-The New Beginning in Hiroshima 2021 (Day 2)
- Glacier vs Mortis-Slamboree 1997
- The Junkyard Invitational-Bash at the Beach 1999
- Michael Nakazawa vs Alex Jebailey-Fyter Fest 2019
- The 1997 World War 3 Match
- The 2022 Men's Royal Rumble
- Roman Reigns vs The Undertaker-WrestleMania 33
- Konnan vs Stevie Ray-Slamboree 1999
- The 1998 World War 3
- The Undertaker vs Goldberg-Super ShowDown 2019
- Hiroshi Wajima vs Tom Magee-All Japan Pro Wrestling 1988
- Jim Duggan vs Big Boss Man-Royal Rumble 1990
- Meng vs Jim Duggan-Uncensored 1995
- Jim Steele vs The Equalizer-SuperBrawl IV
- David Flair vs Dean Malenko-Bash at the Beach 1999
- The Golden Truth vs Breezango-Money in the Bank 2016
- The Undertaker vs Giant González-WrestleMania IX
- Carmella vs Asuka-Extreme Rules 2018
- Sting vs Tony Palmore-Battle 7
- D-Generation X vs Brothers of Destruction-Crown Jewel
- Wendi Richter vs Leilani Kai-WrestleMania
- Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar-WrestleMania XX
- Hornswoggle vs Chavo Guerrero-WWE Monday Night Raw (7/20/2009)
- Edge vs Triple H vs Vladimir Kozlov-Survivor Series 2008
- Rosita & Sarita vs Angelina Love & Winter-Victory Road 2011
- Kevin Sullivan vs Dave Sullivan-SuperBrawl V
- Steve McMichael vs Brian Adams-Road Wild 1998
- Scott Hall vs Roddy Piper-SuperBrawl IX
- Boris Zhukov vs Paul Samson-Beach Brawl
- Roddy Piper vs Hollywood Hogan-Halloween Havoc 1997
- Kane vs The Great Khali-Breaking Point
- Hollywood Hogan & Dennis Rodman vs Diamond Dallas Page & Karl Malone-Bash at the Beach 1998
- PN News & Bobby Eaton vs Steve Austin & Terrance Taylor-Great American Bash 1991
- Scott Steiner vs Sid Vicious vs Jeff Jarrett vs Road Warrior Animal-Sin
- Hollywood Hogan vs Roddy Piper-SuperBrawl 1997
- The 2015 Royal Rumble Match
- Kazuchika Okada vs Gedo-New Japan Cup 2020 (Day 2)
- Batista vs The Great Khali-SummerSlam 2007
- Sting vs Hollywood Hogan-Starrcade 1997
- Sable vs Tori-WrestleMania XV
- Super Invader vs Todd Champion-WrestleWar 1992
- Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez-Crown Jewel 2019
- King Kong Bundy & Jim Neidhart vs Yokozuna & Jake Roberts-Heroes of Wrestling
- Sid Vicious vs The Nightstalker-Clash of the Champions XIII
- Mabel vs Savio Vega-King of the Ring 1995
- Monty Brown vs Trytan-Destination X 2005
- The 8-Divas Tag Match-Survivor Series 1999
- The Fabulous Freebirds vs The Renegade Warriors-Halloween Havoc 1990
- The Knockouts Gauntlet-One Night Only: Live! 2016
- AJ Styles vs Frank Trigg-No Surrender 2008
- Rick Rude vs Masahiro Chono-Halloween Havoc 1992
- Mike Awesome vs Vampiro-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Bray Wyatt vs John Cena-Extreme Rules 2014
- Brothers of Destruction vs KroniK-Unforgiven 2001
- The Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal-WrestleMania 25
- Mabel vs The Undertaker-King of the Ring 1995
- Wendi Richter vs The Fabulous Moolah-The Brawl to End it All
- David Flair vs Kimberly Page-Mayhem 1999
- The Truth Commission vs The Disciples of Apocolypse-Survivor Series 1997
- Daffney vs Miss Hancock-Bash at the Beach 2000
- The Bushwhacker vs The Fabulous Rougeaus-WrestleMania V
- Randy Orton vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt-WrestleMania 37 (Night 2)
- Lex Luger vs Sting-WWA The Retribution
- The Beverly Brothers vs The Bushwhackers-Royal Rumble 1992
- Savio Vega vs Rocky Maivia-WWF Monday Night Raw (4/14/1997)
- Teddy Long vs Eric Bischoff-Survivor Series 2005
- Adrian Adonis vs Uncle Elmer-WrestleMania 2
- Mike Sanders vs Ernest Miller-Halloween Havoc 2000
- Savio Vega vs Rocky Maivia-WWF Shotgun Saturday Night (1/25/1997)
- Greg Valentine vs George Steele-Heroes of Wrestling
- Abdullah the Butcher vs One Man Gang-Heroes of Wrestling
- Major Gunns vs Miss Hancock-New Blood Rising
- Vince Russo vs Booker T-WCW Monday Nitro (9/25/2000)
- Bradshaw & Trish Stratus vs Christopher Nowinski & Jackie Gayda-WWE Monday Night RAW (7/8/2002)
- The Countdown to Armageddon Match-WCW Thunder (10/18/2000)
- Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs Blue Demon Jr.-AAA TriplemanÃa XXX: Monterrey
- Triple H vs Scott Steiner-Royal Rumble 2003
- Goldberg vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt-Super ShowDown 2020
- Mr. McMahon vs Pat McAfee-WrestleMania 38 (Night 2)
- Santina Marella vs Vickie & Chavo Guerrero-Extreme Rules 2009
- Kevin Nash vs Scott Steiner vs Goldberg-New Blood Rising
- Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker-WrestleMania XXX
- Hollywood Hogan vs The Warrior-Halloween Havoc 1998
- Mr. T vs Roddy Piper-WrestleMania 2
- The Royal Family vs Clowns R' Us-Survivor Series 1994
- The House of Horrors Match-Payback 2017
- The Blacktop Bully vs Dustin Rhodes-Uncensored 1995
- Buff Bagwell vs Roddy Piper-Bash at the Beach 1999
- Team Dos Caras vs Team El Canek-Leyendas Mexicanas 2017
- Pat Patterson vs Gerald Brisco-King of the Ring 2000
- The Wyatt Swamp Fight-The Horror Show at Extreme Rules
- The Four Doinks vs Team Bigelow-Survivor Series 1993
- Sting vs Jeff Hardy-Victory Road 2011
- Bret Hart vs Mr. McMahon-WrestleMania XVI
- WarGames 2000: Russo's Revenge-WCW Monday Nitro (9/4/2000)
- Oz vs Tim Parker-SuperBrawl
- Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman-Crown Jewel 2018
- Brock Lesnar vs Ricochet-Super ShowDown 2020
- Toru Yano vs KENTA-G1 Climax 2021 (Day 1)
- Konnan & Tygress vs Shane Douglas & Torrie Wilson-Halloween Havoc 2000
- The Fabulous Moolah vs Ivory-No Mercy 1999
- New Jack vs Vic Grimes-Living Dangerously 2000
- The Mighty Maccabee vs The Iron Sheik-Maccabiah Mania II: Shekel Slam
- Van Hammer vs Doug Somers-Halloween Havoc 1991
- Eddy Steinblock vs One Warrior Nation-DWA Wrestling Legends Tour 2010 (Day 2)
- Ultimate Warrior vs Andre the Giant-Saturday Night's Main Event (11/25/1989)
- Jeff Jarrett vs Sting-Halloween Havoc 2000
- The Doomsday Cage Match-Uncensored 1996
- "Donald Trump" vs "Rosie O'Donnell"-WWE Monday Night RAW (1/8/2007)
- Kane vs The Undertaker-Judgement Day 1998
- Toru Yano vs Jado-New Japan Cup 2020 (Day 1)
- Rebel vs Shelly Martinez-One Night Only: Knockouts Knockdown
- Sable vs Torrie Wilson-The Great American Bash 2004
- The Evening Gown Pool Match-Armageddon 1999
- Kaitlyn vs Maxine-NXT (10/19/2010)
- Sabu vs The Sandman-November to Remember 1997
- The 1996 World War 3 Match
- Seth Rollins vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt-Hell in a Cell 2019
- Michael Cole vs Jerry Lawler-WrestleMania XXVII
- The Bushwhackers vs Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff-Heroes of Wrestling
- James Storm vs Chris Harris-Lockdown 2007
- John Laurinaitis vs John Cena-Over the Limit 2012
- Hulk Hogan vs The Giant-Halloween Havoc 1995
- The Shark Cage Match-Big Time Wrestling (1976)
- Ultimate Warrior vs Goldust-In Your House 7
- Los Villanos vs Los Psycho Circus-Triplemania XXIII
- Jenna Morasca vs Sharmell-Victory Road 2009
- The Lingerie Street Fight Battle Royal-AWA SuperClash III
- Akira Maeda vs Andre the Giant-NJPW Big Fighter Series 1986 (Day 15)
- The 1995 World War 3 Match
- Butterbean vs Bart Gunn-WrestleMania XV
- New Jack vs Vic Grimes-XPW Freefall
- Mickie Knuckles vs Mike Levy-IWA Mid-South Queen of the Deathmatch 2008
Thanks for reading! Be sure to share if you enjoyed and leave any suggestions for matches you'd like to see covered on the Worst in the World in the comments. And don't forget to click the link here and vote in the poll to decide the next edition of the Worst in the World, which will be posted in two weeks. But before that, I'll have a special post up for the Fourth of July, where I'll be looking at one of WWE's worst America-themed pay-per-views ever. Stay tuned...
Hello, I made a suggestion a month ago that because May 19, 2024 will be occurring on a Sunday, you should do a feature on the Kane vs Kane match that happened on the June 2006 PPV that resulted from it on that specific date! Other bad matches happened on that same show as well, including Umaga vs Eugene and the 2 of 3 falls match between Ric Flair and Mick Foley. DX vs The Spirit Squad was pretty much a 2 on 5 burial that only Dolph Ziggler recovered from.
ReplyDeleteOne other random suggestion is Sting vs The Prisoner at Slamboree 1993. Scott Norton left for Japan and Nailz was the best replacement they could find?
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3us4h
Sorry I missed your comment a month ago, things just kind of got hectic for me last month. I've added those matches to the list. I also already had the Sting vs The Prisoner match on the list, but thank you for the suggestions!
DeleteI realize you now do your entries by voting, but I figured making one exception for that one particular day next year would be a great idea if you’re up to it. Thanks for adding to the list.
DeleteOn the topic of Wardlow, I would like to know your thoughts on what AEW's reasoning could be for ignoring the fact that Wardlow squashed MJF on PPV prior to Max "leaving" and his subsequent world champion push. I'm not sure if this is because the incident at All Out caused things to be reworked (also, I have a 50-50 stance of whether or not the whole backstage brawl between Punk and the Elite was legitimate or a work.)
ReplyDeleteI think AEW has a real problem with not keeping up with people's momentum. There's a couple of examples of people having breakout moments or getting big reactions that just kind of fizzle out because of their booking. Wardlow's a prime example, going from the high of that win over MJF to playing hot potato with the TNT title.
DeleteThe booking will go from Wyatt's return all the way to Wrestlemania 39!
ReplyDelete10/17/22
Bray Wyatt is a now member of the Raw roster and has his epic return promo.
10/24/22
Bray Wyatt cuts his backstage promo from oct 21 and the first Uncle Howdy teaser happens
10/31/22
After saving Belair from Damage CTRL, Bliss has a run in with Wyatt in which they do have a conversation to which Bliss tells him she wants to move on and Wyatt warns her that her actions at Wrestlemania 37 will have consequences. The segment that fully introduces Uncle Howdy who warns Wyatt that he can never hide from him closes the show.
Crown Jewel
the segment where Bliss sees the Wyatt symbol during her backstage interview still happens. Jinder Mahal is in the ring complains about being left off the show despite being a former WWE Champions and issues an open challenge to anyone to which Bray Wyatt accepts. Despite Jinder getting his licks in the match is one sided and Bray defeats him easily afterwards he cuts the same promo he cut at the actual Crown Jewel. As Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring the human version of Huskus the Pig can be seen spying on him.
11/7/22
The backstage segment which kicks off the Bray Wyatt/LA Knight feud happens, after the match between Cedric Alexander/Baron Corbin we see LA Knight in Adam Pierces office demanding an apology from Bray Wyatt for headbutting him, afterwards the segment where LA Knight slaps Wyatt twice happens instead of the match where Austin Theory fights Shelton Benjamin, after commercial break LA Knight can be seen trying to leave the building and after the match between Johnny Gargano/The Miz LA Knight is found layed out with a bunch of stuff on him. As Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring backstage we see the human version of Mercy the Buzzard spying him.
11/14/22
The match between Mia Yim/Tamina never happens, Bray Wyatt comes out to say that he never attacked LA Knight and says that whatever LA say's in his live interview will not matter since he never attacked him to which Uncle Howdy warns the crowd that a snake in the cage is always a snake. After Miz TV the live interview with LA Knight happens at LA's house with him sitting near his outdoor pool, LA Knight runs down Wyatt and challenges him to a match at Survivor Series he goes to get champagne as the camera gets a shot of the house an Uncle Howdy mask can be seen in one of the windows. after commercial it shows LA Knight laid out on his couch with his living room trashed, window opened and the camera crew are wondering what to do. As Finn Balor makes his way to the ring backstage for his match with Seth Rollins the human version of Ramblin Rabbit can be seen spying him.
11/21/22
ReplyDeleteThe Bray Wyatt backstage segment from Smackdown 12/2/22 happens with the only thing new addition being that he accepts LA's Survivor Series challenge.
Survivor Series
The match between Wyatt/Knight never happens because before the Women's Wargames, LA attacks Bray backstage and throws him off of the stage into a bunch of electrical equipment .
11/28/22
Before the OC/Judgement Day match happens LA Knight comes out to gloat about how he outsmarted Bray Wyatt and shows footage of the times he was attacked showing the masks in the background. Uncle Howdy interrupts with a warning to LA that the door was closing and it shows the human version of Huskus going into LA's locker room prompting LA Knight to leave the ring to go after it. LA Knight goes into his locker room to see no one in there then his flat screen tv show footage of Uncle Howdy in the parking lot he looks up at the security camera telling Knight that if he wants to know the truth of the attacks then he should find him. LA Knight takes a steel chair with him to defend himself and goes to the parking lot although no sign of Howdy as LA calls out for Wyatt (believing he was dressing up as Howdy)the lights go out as Howdy's laughter can be heard. LA turns on his phones flashlight to see the human versions of the Firefly Funhouse puppets charging at him to which he lets out an abrupt scream as we go to commercial. After Kevin Owens/Jey Uso's match it shows Adam Pierce in the parking lot on the phone with the police about the disappearance of L A Knight while a bunch of guards/agents/executives look for him in the background to close the show.
NXT 11/29/22
The footage of LA Knight being held hostage by Uncle Howdy is shown to start off the show.
Smackdown 12/2/22
After Sheamus/Sami Zayn's match it shows LA Knight being found knocked out near a dumpster outside of the arena with a Howdy mask on his face by Adam Pierce and after commercial break it shows LA being loaded into an ambulance.
Raw 12/5/22
LA Knight is shown entering the arena and before her triple threat match Alexa Bliss runs into LA Knight who accuses her of potentially being behind things as well due to her past association with him to which Bliss denies but before LA leaves he tells her that anyone who sides with trash will always smell like trash. To close off the show LA Knight comes to the ring with Adam Pierce to call out Wyatt and have him tell the world that he's been the one attacking Knight. Bray comes out and once again denies attacking him however he tells LA/Pierce that Uncle Howdy has been the one attacking LA Knight to which they don't believe him Pierce warns Wyatt that if he doesn't tell the truth here will be repercussions but as Wyatt enters the ring LA attacks him. As Adam Pierce tries to get LA off of him Uncle Howdy interrupts with a message asking LA if he wants to see something really scary and comes out to tip his hat to LA Knight as he enters the ring Pierce gets in Howdy's face demanding answers. Uncle Howdy responds with a Sister Abigail to Adam Pierce and has a stare down with LA Knight in which he tells him "Do you believe me now little pig". LA Knight leaves the ring and goes into the crowd as Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy have a stare down where Howdy tells Wyatt to run as the Wyatt symbol flashes to end the show.
12/12/23
ReplyDeleteUncle Howdy reveals his backstory,what the story between him and Bray is about,what his purpose is and warns Bliss that Belair will betray her eventually once she becomes number one contender. Bray cuts a promo inside the abandoned Firefly Funhouse explaining how he missed the place/ gives a tease it might come back and says that Uncle Howdy is LA Knight's problem now as he looks to reclaim his throne announcing his entry into the Royal Rumble.
Smackdown 12/16/22
Roman Reigns and his Bloodline come out during the closing stretch then talked about the KO problem and the future tag team match between Reigns/Zayn vs Owens/partner of choice. He gets cut off by Bray's music with the latter making his entrance, Bray and Roman have a staredown to which Wyatt reminds Reigns that he never pinned him(Wyatt) and tells him that had he signed the contract before Payback and participated in a normal triple threat he would of lost. Then Wyatt warns Roman that regardless if it was him or Owens that's holding the titles he promises that he will win the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania is where he will complete his redemption and to remind the world he is the eater of worlds. LA Knight interrupts Wyatt , announces his entry into the Royal Rumble and runs down Wyatt/Reigns .Seth Rollins comes out, mocks Wyatt/Knight, announces his entry into the Rumble and reminds Reigns that had he not got himself disqualified at that years Royal Rumble Rollins would of been world champion. Roman mocks Wyatt for getting fired, throws shade at LA Knight's run with the Maximum Male models and tells Rollins that he will always be 2nd best while telling them that they ain't worthy of being Wrestlemania opponents for him. Then Roman tells them that since they stuck their noses where they didn't belong that they are considered a problem and that they along with KO and his partner will crumble to him,Zayn, the Usos and Sikoa to which Cena interrupts via the tron and announces himself as Owens' partner. As Michael Cole goes crazy Wade Barrett reveals that the normal tag team match will now be a 10 man tag that will have Kevin Owens team up with John Cena/Bray Wyatt/LA Knight/Seth Rollins to fight Roman Reigns/Sami Zayn/The Usos/Solo Sikoa.
12/19/22
Instead of The OC/Alpha Academy match we get Solo Sikoa vs Bray Wyatt where it ends via DQ as Sikoa started beating Wyatt with a chair the lights go out to reveal Uncle Howdy in the ring while Solo is on the outside then Howdy hits Bray with Sister Abigail while yelling at him for being weak and Sikoa leaves confused. Sami Zayn/LA Knight have a match where Zayn is victorious, the segment where Bliss smashes a vase over Belair's head still happens and Owens/Rollins defeat the Usos in the main event.
Smackdown 12/23/22
Solo Sikoa defeats Sheamus with LA Knight on commentary afterwards the lights go out and when they come on Bray Wyatt/Uncle Howdy attack the weakened Sikoa and plant him with a double mandible claw chokeslam , The Usos a little dinged up from the match with Hit Row rush in to make the save but with Wyatt and Howdy being the least damaged they put the boots to the Usos with Wyatt spiking Jey with a uranage and Uncle Howdy planting Jimmy with Sister Abigail. Howdy tells Bray "See all you needed was a little push!" then they staredown LA Knight as we go to commercial.
Smackdown 12/30/22
ReplyDeleteBray does the backstage segment where he threatens a tech guy for interrupting him. The 10 man tag match main event is a literal war with every one getting a chance to shine and with a lot of tension on Team Owens side mostly due to LA being a jerk and Bray not being everyone's friend. The matches climax ends with Sikoa/Kevin brawling in the crowd which ended with Owens powerbombing Sikoa through a table and passing out from exhaustion, Reigns spearing Cena through the barricade incapacitating the both of them, Jimmy Uso splashing Seth Rollins through the announce table, Bray Wyatt Sister Abigail's Jey after an Uncle Howdy interference, Sami Zayn hitting a Helluva kick on an unsuspected Bray Wyatt and LA Knight avoiding the Helluva Kick to hit the snapmare driver for the victory. As LA Knight celebrates Uncle Howdy comes up from behind him and hits Sister Abigail as Bray comes back into the ring, Howdy grabs the world titles hands them to Wyatt and tells him to revel in who he is as Wyatt raises the titles to close the show.
1/2/23
Bliss causing a no contest during her title match with Bianca Belair still happens and Bray Wyatt does his promo from Jan 13th but warning not only LA Knight, but the other participants that once his number hits they should run.
1/9/23
Bray Wyatt is victorious in a match against Mustafa Ali, his celebration was interrupted by Alexa Bliss who accuses him of trying to get in her way of her quest for the womens title while running down Belair, calling herself the new face of evil, says she's in control and tells Bray she doesn't need him. Uncle Howdy questions if she's in charge then Bliss clutches her head as if she's thinking about something Bray encourages Bliss to revel in who she is to which both Bliss/Wyatt attack a camera man with Bray locking the mandible claw while Bliss kicks the camera man officials get the cameraman away from as Pierce yells at them at them.
1/16/23
It's revealed that if Wyatt/Bliss attack another offical or crew member Wyatt will be booted from the Royal Rumble match and Alexa Bliss will not have her rematch with Belair. LA Knight has a match against Drew Mcintyre, Bray costs LA the match by being at ringside and Bianca Belair cuts a promo about Alexa's recent actions and say's she never forgiving her, Uncle Howdy does a vignette where he calls out Belair for putting her top spot above Bliss when she needed her most and sneaks up on Belair to hit Sister Abigail on her. Montez Ford backstage demands a match with Bray Wyatt for letting his ghoulish uncle hurt Bianca to which Pierce makes it offical. Bray Wyatt defeats Montez Ford after Uncle Howdy distracts him after beating up Angelo Dawkins at ringside.
/23/23
DeleteThe Bray/Wyatt/Undertaker/La Knight Segment and Alexa's warning to Bianca stay the same.
Royal Rumble (My changes to the card)
The Pitch Black Match happens in the kickoff show but it's a tag team match between Gargano/Lumis vs Miz Bronson: Gargano/Lumis win after Reed pummels Miz for slapping him
The Women's Royal Rumble kicks off the Show
Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley in a last man standing match ends with Lashley victorious
Bianca/Alexa has the same result, but this time as Alexa is on her knees Howdy comes up from behind and drills her with Sister Abigail. He picks her up, the lights go out and when they turn back on both Howdy/Bliss disappear.
The Mens Rumble has some changes
Instead of The Miz, LA Knight comes out at number 3 but instead of getting in the ring he sit's out doing commentary with his plan being that he will wait to dispatch the final participant while looking out for Bray Wyatt. Instead of Brock coming out due to being to dinged up Bray comes out at number 12, teleports infront of LA and sends him into the ring. Bobby Lashley is still in the match but comes out at number 25 while Austin Theory comes out after Wyatt's entry but he is selling his brutal match with Lesnar. LA Knight has three eliminations (the first two being Chad Gable and Santos Escobar) and Bray Wyatt eliminates five (first two being Karrion Kross and Agelo Dawkins). During the closing stretch Bray and LA team up to eliminate Strowman, LA throw out Wyatt but he hangs on as LA celebrates Bray hits him with Sister Abigail before sending him back to the showers. It's down to Cody Rhodes/GUNTHER/Logan Paul/Seth Rollins/Bobby Lashley/Bray Wyatt, Bray interacts with Seth and Cody while Lashley collides with GUNTHER and Paul then sas Bray hits a uranage on Cody Bobby spears Wyatt then throws him out as Bray looks distraught knowing he will not get his redemption but then Howdy comes from the crowd with a crowbar to tell Wyatt if he was going to let Lashley get away with what he did. Bray gets pissed, grabs a steel chair then he and Howdy beat down Lashley with their weapons while everyone else was knocked out then the spooky duo throw out Lashley and use a double mandible claw chockslam to put Lashley through the announce table. Bray glares at Lashley's broken body as Howdy laughs then the lights go out and when they turn back on Wyatt/Howdy were gone, the match end the same way.
2/6/23
DeleteBray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy interrupt a Maximum Male Models promo and wreck Mace/Mansoor, Bray Wyatt addresses Alexa Blisses whereabouts by saying that she made her bed and now she's burning in it. He aslo explains his attack on Bobby Lashley saying that he took away his chance at redemption and that at Wrestlemania he will make Lashley pay. He then issues a falls count anywhere match challenge to LA Knight at Elimination Chamber. LA Knight before defeating Akira Towzawa cuts a promo accepting Wyatt's challenge and then the Firefly Funhouse returns where Bray warns LA that now the door is open and whatever comes through it is his problem now.
2/13/23
The segment where LA Knight cosplays as Wyatt Family Bray still happens.
Elimination Chamber
Bray Wyatt defeats LA Knight after he and Uncle Howdy double mandible claw chockslam LA off the stage into electrical equipment and they both do an elbow drop on Knight with Bray pinning him afterwards.
2/20/23
Bray Wyatt is watching his match with LA Knight in his room with Uncle Howdy doing a jumpscare in the end. Bobby Lashley does a return promo announcing that he is going to hunt down Bray and make him pay for costing him the main event at Wrestlemania.
2/27/23
After Bobby Lashley squashes Elias, the Firefly Funhouse episode where Bray asks can you keep a secret airs much to Lashley's confusion. Bobby Lashley then does a backstage interview where he asks Bray what will it take for him to be a man as the Wyatt symbol glitches in the background.
3/6/23
DeleteBobby Lashley's music hits and he comes out holding Bray Wyatt's torn apart polo and shows footage o someone being loaded into an ambulance (a wax dummy of Bray is on the gurney since the real one would likely have been dealing with his illness by now). Bobby say's that is what happens when you mess with the Almighty and announces he will do a Wrestlemania open challenge and the wrestlers in the back better step up. Uncle Howdy does a vignette where he announces that he's got a surprise in store for Bobby Lashley at Wrestlemania a tall man wearing a black hoody and Howdy mask comes into view.
3/13/23
Uncle Howdy and the tall goon attack Baron Corbin and telport away with him and Adam Pierce could be heard in his police over the disappearances of Madcap Moss/Emma as the were supposed to be on Raw but never showed up.
3/20/23
Howdy and more of his henchmen can be seen abducting Mustafa Ali and Tegan Nox
Smackdown 3/24/23
Uncle Howdy lures Karrion/Skarlett Kross in his car wanting to talk buisness with them
Wrestlemania 39 Night 2
Bobby Lashley has an open challenge with LA Knight accepting it on the condition he put the Andre trophy on the line, Lashley beats him an a decent filler match but as Uncle Howdy makes his entrance a group of masked thugs attack Lashley/Knight. They put LA through a table and two big goons chokeslam help Lashley up to let Uncle Howdy drill him with Sister Abigail. the masked figure reveal themselves as Baron Corbin/Riddick Moss/Emma/Tegan Nox/Mustafa Ali/Karrion Kross/Skarlett Kross, Uncle Howdy announces that the Cult of Howdy have arrived and the WWE roster should run.
Here you go my ideal booking of the Uncle Howdy storyline! I'm sorry if it's an essay and if it's to much to read but I would only like your opinion on if this would of been better then the storyline we ended up or not.
DeleteHere's how not to do a hoss fight!
ReplyDeleteBam Bam Bigelow vs Big Bossman (Royal Rumble 1993)
I'll add it to the list. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteJust saying, your poll link is very, very broken first of all. I don't think I can vote this week.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone ever suggested JCW Legends and Icons to you? That is somehow a worse show than Heroes of Wrestling. To be fair, that's partly down to the shocking production values, no regular matches over 7 minutes, and Kevin Gill's EAR BLEEDING voice in your ear all the time.
I tried to fix it, but I'm not sure if it worked. Also, nobody has suggested JCW Legends and Icons yet, and I'll definitely take a look at it. I've only ever heard Kevin Gill's commentary on a few GCW shows, but I definitely share the same opinion of it. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI've got a "delightful" deep cut for you - from IWRG. Team FILL vs. Team Big Lucha (the second match in this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-4UMeibBNY ). The IWRG team takes all the liberties with their opponents, so many stiff shots that it's basically a farce. Might be worth giving a go.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting one. I see IWRG's results pop up on Cagematch a lot (and they come across when I play TEW) but I've never actually watched anything from them. I'll take a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteHere's a match from NWA Nuff Said 2023!
ReplyDeleteEC3 vs Kevin Kiley
I'll add it to the list. I've only seen that nasty botched dive from Kiley from this match, so I'm interested in what the whole match is like. Thanks for the suggestion!
Delete