UPN television, 2000 In 1999, WWF Smackdown premiered on UPN, instantly becoming the network’s highest-rated program. Thus, it seemed only natural to cross-promote it with Star Trek: Voyager, another series on the network, to increase the latter’s viewership. Now, I haven’t seen a lot of Star Trek. I’ve only watched a season and a half, and that was of The Continue Reading...
Category Archives: Inductions
What made WrestleCrap.com famous! Reviewing the absolute worst characters, storylines, and matches in pro wrestling history.
Induction: Zack Ryder vs. Kane – Friday the 13th, Part Z
60 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 15 May 2014, 20:00WWE, 2012 Ever heard of the seven-year rule? Jim Cornette says that a wrestling promotion can run the same angle after seven years because by then, memories will have faded and there will be enough new viewers who won’t even noticed the re-hashed story lines. Jim Cornette hasn’t written for WWE in a long time, which you probably figured out Continue Reading...
Induction: Inside Out — Triple H gets into a pickle
32 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 08 May 2014, 20:00WWE Films, 2011 A while ago I was browsing through Netflix when what should appear but “The Naked Man,” a 1998 movie about a wrestler with a “naked” gimmick starring Michael Rapaport. I immediately emailed RD and told him the big news: an obscure movie with “Wrestlecrap” written all over it. Imagine my disappointment, then, when I actually watched the Continue Reading...
Induction: Barry Didinsky – Life’s a pitch, and then you buy an Undertaker jean jacket
58 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 24 April 2014, 20:00WWF, 1995 Hulk Hogan. Steve Austin. D-Generation X. The nWo. What do they all have in common? All of them generated huge merchandise sales. Also, unfortunately for Vince McMahon, none of these entities were wrestling in the WWF in 1995. So what could a promoter do when none of his stars were exactly raking in the cash at the merch Continue Reading...
Induction: Kevin Nash vs. Chris Jericho, hair vs. hair – A bald-faced lie
37 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 17 April 2014, 20:00WWE, 2003 Hair is serious business the world over, even for men, and even for wrestlers. Don’t believe me? Look at all the hair vs. hair matches over the years in WWE: Kurt Angle vs. Edge… …Eric Bischoff vs. Eugene… …the Vince vs. Donald Trump “Battle of the Billionaires”… …and let’s not forget about the time CM Punk wagered his Continue Reading...
Induction: Lex Luger, Million-Dollar Turncoat? – At least the *arenas* didn’t sell out.
46 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 10 April 2014, 20:00WWF, 1994 Once upon a time, “Made in the USA” Lex Luger and the Native American Tatanka were the best of friends. Together, the two All-Americans would demolish whatever unpatriotic force stood in their way. All this changed in the summer of 1994, when, after weeks of speculation, Tatanka broke the unfortunate news: Lex Luger had sold out to Continue Reading...
INDUCTION: Little Hercules – Because the World Needed The Hulkster in 3D!
30 Submitted by RD Reynolds on Tue, 01 April 2014, 19:00Since day one here at WrestleCrap.com, I’ve known that an integral feature on the site needed to be in-depth reviews of horrible movies starring wrestlers. Ever since I saw No Holds Barred back in 1989, I was scarred for life, and I wanted others to be equally scarred. Look back into the archive (cheap plug, it’s only $14.95!!), and you Continue Reading...
Induction: Ahmed Johnson’s trunks – Tony Norris gets a bum (w)rap
35 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Tue, 01 April 2014, 12:00...
Guest Induction: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle – If the rasslin’ business ain’t broke, keep fixing it!
13 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Tue, 01 April 2014, 00:00This article comes courtesy of Art0Donnell’s cousin, Rocky Melvin, entertainment reporter for the website of a major cable news outlet. In just a few weeks, it will be time for Wrestlemania, the World Wrestling Federation’s biggest smackdown of the year. Laugh if you will, but wrestling can be big business, drawing tens of thousands of loyal fans to see their Continue Reading...
Induction: Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan – How long should this world title match last? LOL, I’ll pretend you said 18 seconds.
59 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 27 March 2014, 20:00WWE, 2012 It was Wrestlemania, and wrestling fans around the world were eager to see Daniel Bryan take on Sheamus in a title match on the grandest stage of them all. While not the most heavily-hyped match on the card, this match had the potential to steal the show. Imagine those fans’ surprise when the match ended before they knew Continue Reading...
Induction: Steve Austin vs. Yokozuna – A match fit for a king. Apparently.
24 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 20 March 2014, 20:00WWF, 1996 The WWF’s King of the Ring was a pretty big deal back when the Federation held an annual pay-per-view around the tournament. Winning the crown, while not a guarantee of success, was an indicator that big things were coming a wrestler’s way. Of the tournament-winners from 1993 to 2002, Owen Hart, Mabel, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar all Continue Reading...
Induction: Cryme Tyme meets George W. Bush: If the President was pro-life, why did he perform this comedic abortion?
31 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 13 March 2014, 20:00WWE, 2006 WWE, not unlike the Ultimate Warrior, has a lot of bad habits, but only ones that help this website survive. Besides a fascination with feces, outrageously lewd sexual story lines, and constantly humiliating Jim Ross, Vince and his band of merry yes-men have always had a thing for political jokes. Well, not so much “political” jokes as Continue Reading...
Induction: Hollywood Backlot Brawl – Brawl and Panties! Brawl and Panties!
36 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 06 March 2014, 21:00WWF, 1996 In 1996, with Wrestlemania XII just around the corner, Scott Hall declared his intentions to go to WCW after that year’s big event. Normally, this would mean a simple change in booking. Instead of Razor Ramon beating Goldust to regain his Intercontinental Title, he would just lose the match, putting over the champion and leaving the company without Continue Reading...
Induction: The Return of Virgil – Who? Mike Jones!
35 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 27 February 2014, 21:00WWE, 2010 Ever since “The Wrestler” hit theaters in 2009, a lot of past-their prime superstars have been pegged as “The Wrestler in real life”: a former big name now living in the past and struggling with addiction or financial despair. Ric Flair, Scott Hall, Jake Roberts, and many others have been given that dubious distinction. One scene in that Continue Reading...
Induction: The Wrestling Classic – To quote Nelson Muntz, “I can think of at least two things wrong with that title!”
28 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 20 February 2014, 21:00WWF, 1985 After the first Wrestlemania, Vince and company wanted to capitalize by throwing all the great wrestlers and Corporal Kirchner and Moondog Spot onto one spectacular themed event. This concept would eventually come to fruition at 1987’s Survivor Series, but an abortive attempt was made along the way in November 1985: it was a similar concept, but instead of Continue Reading...
Induction: The World’s Largest Love Machine, Viscera – Every day is Hump Day for Big Vis
38 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 13 February 2014, 21:00(RIP NELSON FRAZIER: 1971 – 2014) WWE, 2005-7 Nelson Frazier has worn many hats during his years with World Wrestling Entertainment. Well, he only ever really wore one hat, which was a crown, but he had a number of gimmicks (rapper, clown, king, cult member) before evolving into Barry White’s younger, scarier brother. Viscera’s road to suave sex-godhood began in Continue Reading...
Induction: Double Dare’s Super-Slop-O-Mania – Still more mature than Punk’d
17 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 06 February 2014, 21:00Nickelodeon/WWF, 1989 With two former wrestlers like Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan handling announcing duties for years in the WWF, constantly at odds, don’t you find it odd that they never squared off in the ring to settle their differences? Why, Michael Cole was barely a year into his insufferable jerk persona before he and Jerry Lawler had a series Continue Reading...
Induction: WWE Wrestlers on Punk’d – So named because “Jackass” was already taken
28 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 23 January 2014, 21:00MTV, 2003-2007 MTV has been connected with wrestling for years, ever since the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection of the mid-80s. Way back then, the WWF wanted to associate itself with music, while MTV wanted to associate itself with music. Flash forward to the 2000s, when WWE was under contract with MTV’s parent company Viacom, and the worlds of wrestling and Continue Reading...
Induction: Heel Dixie Carter – 2013 Gooker Winner (Winner Turkey Dinner)!
134 Submitted by RD Reynolds on Mon, 20 January 2014, 15:00Impact Wrestling – 2013 I remember years ago when TNA was in its infancy, folks would email asking if I thought there would come a day when they might ever nab the ‘coveted’ Gooker award. I found it unlikely at the time, but not for the reason you may think. I mean, it wasn’t that the company never put forth Continue Reading...
Induction: Mad Bull – Proof Heath Slater’s been jobbing since before he was born
22 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 16 January 2014, 21:00TV movie, 1977 The late Alex Karras was no stranger to the Wrestlecrap. It was he, after all, whose “Mongo” character in Blazing Saddles was the namesake of Horseman Steve “Mongo” McMichael. Less famous was the 1977 TV movie, “Mad Bull,” where Karras played the title role of Iago “Mad Bull” Karkus. Since this was the seventies, not everyone was Continue Reading...
And the voting is over!! Congratulations, Dixie Carter – you are our 2013 Gooker Award Winner! You will be properly inducted Thursday night, January 30…just in time for Impact! Despite what Hector Guerrero may tell you, the infamous Gobbeldy Gooker was one of the worst gimmicks ever. Therefore, back in 2000 when I first started WrestleCrap.com, I knew that Continue Reading...
Induction: The 1999 Royal Rumble – Even Stone Cold used this match as a bathroom break
56 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 09 January 2014, 21:00WWF, 1999 Vince McMahon won 1999’s Royal Rumble. … … No, this isn’t the shortest induction ever; I’m just getting that obvious bit of information out of the way right now, lest you think that’s the only reason why this match is Wrestlecrap. No, there are certain circumstances under which a non-wrestler can win a big match, and the red-hot Continue Reading...
Induction: The WWE New Year’s Eve Toast: AJ and Dolph are Poopy
31 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 02 January 2014, 21:00WWE, 2012 It was New Year’s Eve, and WWE’s power couple, Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee, had promised an in-ring celebration to ring in 2013. Of course, there was no way that this segment would go off without a hitch, especially with the two hosts wearing this: This should have set off alarms for everyone watching. After all, when was Continue Reading...
Induction: Master P and the No Limit Soldiers – Rap is Wrestlecrap
60 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 05 December 2013, 20:00WCW, 1999 In the summer of 1999, facing lagging ratings, WCW attempted to stay relevant by reaching out to the music industry. Before bringing in KISS and Megadeth to perform live on Nitro, Bischoff and company tried their hand at cross-promotion with hip-hop. Of course, “cross-promotion” was more or less a code word for “we’ll pay you money to hog Continue Reading...
Induction: Saturday Morning Slam Thanksgiving Pie Eating Contest – Sugar Rush! Sugar Rush! Sugar Crash…
19 Submitted by RD Reynolds on Mon, 25 November 2013, 19:30WWE, 2012 Ok, took me a few weeks to make a hard decision: I’ve decided that going back and reviewing all the Saturday Morning Slams that I missed back before we relaunched the site is a fool’s errand. It ain’t gonna happen. The reasons are myriad, but honestly, it’s primarily due to the fact that every report I did was Continue Reading...
Induction: The HLA Match – As believable as Mrs. Doubtfire, and almost as sexy!
30 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 21 November 2013, 21:00WWE, 2002 September of 2002 was without a doubt the gayest month in WWE history. It seemed that every show that aired that month was designed to make viewers say out loud, “This is so gay!” Gay, that is, meaning literally homosexual. If we here at Wrestlecrap wanted to express that something was being embarrassingly stupid, we wouldn’t stoop so Continue Reading...
Induction: The Haunting of Roddy Piper: Adrian’s Revenge
28 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 31 October 2013, 20:00Biography channel, 2013 A lot of wrestlers have “personal demons,” and Roddy Piper is no exception. In the rowdy Scot’s case, though, they’re not the kind of demons you can get arrested for if the cops pull you over and find them in your car. No, these are bona fide ghosts, and if you don’t believe me, just ask professional Continue Reading...
Induction: 2011 Halloween Divas Battle Royal – AJ Gives Nerds The World Over a Geekality!
40 Submitted by RD Reynolds on Thu, 31 October 2013, 09:302011 I am pretty sure if I decided to make it a Halloween tradition to induct every stupid Divas costume gimmick match, I’d have material until the end of time. I mean, really, they have these things every year, right? But 2011 was different. Muppet-tastically different. Ah yes, the glory days of the infamous guest host era of Raw. What Continue Reading...
Induction: The Executioner: The Effluence of Execution
22 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 24 October 2013, 20:00WWF, 1996 Executioners are a dime a dozen in wrestling. Since time immemorial, promoters running low on talent, ideas, or both have slapped black masks on wrestlers and trotted them out to the ring for a quick loss to their babyface stars. On the very first Monday Night Raw, for instance, perennial jobbers Duane Gill and Barry Hardy donned the Continue Reading...
Induction: Johnny Curtis: NXT winner tests your gag reflex
24 Submitted by Art0Donnell on Thu, 17 October 2013, 20:00WWE, 2011 When Curtis Hussey, better known to WWE fans as Fandango, was getting ready to debut his new gimmick, the more cynical fans in the WWE Universe (i.e. the ones who won’t repeat a silly marketing buzzword like, “WWE Universe”) balked at the idea. Week after week, ridiculous vignettes aired that seemed to guarantee a spectacular flop and a Continue Reading...