Buzz
Often labeled as low-brow entertainment for the masses, professional wrestling is frequently misunderstood. However, fans know it’s far more than that. Blending athletic prowess with dramatic storytelling, it captivates audiences just as effectively as mainstream television.
Beyond its entertainment value, wrestling has occasionally ventured into experimental territory, breaking conventions and delivering avant-garde experiences. These moments showcase how wrestling, in the right hands, can transcend its roots and become a form of art.
10. Broken Matt Hardy
Broken Matt Hardy is the result of a wrestling persona who, after one too many head injuries, embraces the delusion of being an anime-style supervillain.
Indeed, in 2016, following a scripted injury, Hardy adopted an exaggerated English accent and a quirky fixation on “deleting” his rivals.
Initially startling, this transformation quickly gained popularity, especially after the wildly over-the-top Final Deletion match with his brother Jeff. Filmed in a cinematic style, this event became a cultural phenomenon and paved the way for…
9. The Quarantine Cinematic Matches
While Matt Hardy pioneered the cinematic wrestling match, the pandemic era made this approach a necessity rather than an innovation.
With no live audiences permitted, wrestling promotions like WWE and AEW had to reinvent their storytelling methods, crafting unique and engaging experiences to maintain excitement.
Which of these stood out the most? Arguably, the Stadium Stampede at AEW’s Double or Nothing in May 2020 and The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles’s Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36 earlier that year. Revisit these matches to witness how wrestling can transform into a cinematic spectacle, resembling a Hollywood blockbuster rather than a traditional sports event.
8. The Invisible Man vs. Invisible Stan
A unique aspect of contemporary wrestling is its embrace of its scripted nature, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
This was brilliantly showcased in a 2019 GCW match at Joey Janella’s Spring Break, where the Invisible Man faced off against his brother, Invisible Stan.
The audience enthusiastically cheered for every imaginary move and phantom strike, fully engaging in the spectacle. Referee Bryce Remsburg delivered a solo performance in the ring, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin’s comedic genius.
7. The Most Illegal Move in Wrestling History
Today’s wrestling scene has evolved beyond muscle-bound titans battling in dimly lit venues or superhero-like figures triumphing in crowded arenas. Thanks to the growth of the independent circuit, diverse styles and creative approaches have taken center stage.
One of the standout examples is the now-closed Chikara Pro, a comedy-focused promotion that delivered unforgettable moments, including an invisible hand grenade and a wrestling chipmunk.
Arguably, the most iconic moment occurred when Ophidian the Cobra, mid-match, used his serpentine allure to hypnotize not just his opponents but the entire backstage crew. This led to the entire roster joining in for an impromptu dance routine before the match resumed as if nothing had happened.
6. Kenny Omega vs. a Little Girl
Kenny Omega, celebrated as one of wrestling’s all-time greats, isn’t afraid to embrace humor and experimentation when the situation demands.
A prime example of this occurred during his time with Japanese promotion DDT in 2011, when he faced off against a nine-year-old girl in the ring.
Yes, you heard correctly. Beyond the fun and absurdity, this match aimed to highlight the performative nature of wrestling. Omega sought to demonstrate how, when executed skillfully, even the most improbable scenarios—like a child defeating an adult—can captivate and convince an audience.
5. The Staring Match
Another quarantine-era innovation, the now-iconic staring match, debuted at a Pro Wrestling NOAH event in March 2020.
This match, however, didn’t rely on cinematic gimmicks. Instead, Go Shiozaki and Kazuyuki Fujita spent the opening half-hour locked in a psychological battle, doing nothing but staring each other down with unflinching intensity.
While thirty minutes of silent staring might seem absurd initially, it gradually became oddly captivating and mesmerizing. This buildup made the eventual eruption into a full-blown brawl all the more satisfying.
4. The DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title
No wrestling championship boasts a more peculiar history than the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title. Unique in its rules, this belt can be contested anytime, anywhere—whether at a bus stop, during an auction, or even within a dream.
Adding to its eccentricity, the title hasn’t always been held by humans. Past champions include a miniature Dachshund, a ladder, a pork bun, and even the live audience at a 2016 event.
In an even more bizarre twist, the title itself once became the champion. This happened when the belt was placed atop its holder, and the referee counted the pinfall. It’s the kind of mind-bending scenario that leaves you questioning logic if you dwell on it too long.
3. Brian Pillman’s Loose Cannon Persona
By the mid-1990s, the scripted nature of wrestling was no secret. Yet, Brian Pillman masterfully blurred the lines between reality and fiction, leaving even his colleagues unsure of what was real.
His methods? Acting like an unpredictable madman, both on and off-screen. He once brandished a gun during a live broadcast and even abandoned a match mid-performance, deviating entirely from the script.
However, his crowning achievement came when he manipulated WCW executive Eric Bischoff into granting him a legitimate contract release to further a storyline. Unbeknownst to Bischoff, Pillman used this release to jump to rival promotion WWF for a more lucrative deal. A stroke of true brilliance.
2. Big Japan Pro Wrestling’s Romeo and Juliet
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
South Park once humorously compared pro wrestling to community theater, just with more muscle. In 2009, Big Japan Pro Wrestling embraced this idea by staging their own adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
This unique production translated the classic tale into a series of wrestling matches, with Jun Kasai taking on the role of Romeo and Jaki Numazawa portraying Juliet.
If you ever have the opportunity to witness it, this production is a captivating spectacle that highlights wrestling’s unique ability to weave engaging narratives when executed at its finest.
1. Lucha Underground
Lucha Libre, a high-flying wrestling style originating in South America, is renowned for its acrobatics and telenovela-inspired storytelling. This blend was perfectly showcased in the short-lived but memorable promotion, Lucha Underground.
From 2014 to 2018, this Robert Rodriguez-helmed series brought Lucha Libre back to American audiences via the El Rey network.
What set it apart was its combination of thrilling in-ring action and wildly imaginative storylines. These plots included elements like murder mysteries, undercover agents, supernatural creatures, and even fire-breathing dragons crossing dimensions.
