The Worst Tropes in Wrestling | Wrestling With Wregret

[@p.d.l7023]

Trope you missed: If you see a cake or a trophy = Someone is getting hit with it.

[@speedwaynutt]

Pretty Much any time food in seen in a Wrestling Company somebody is going to need a shower afterwards.

[@Robyamdam]

It isn't really a trope it's more of a chekhovs gun

[@SteelyDanzig]

@@Robyamdam Chekhov's Gun *is* a trope lol

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

I don't think New Japan has ever had a heel destroy the New Japan Cup or the Wrestle Kingdom briefcase you get for winning the G1. Strange.

[@SteelyDanzig]

@@THENAMEISQUICKMAN KENTA broke the US title briefcase over Tanahashi's head, does that count?

[@brianhall4182]

I've always hated the "Partner Misunderstanding". You know. When there's a tag team match and one partner accidentally hits the other, and the other acts like he did it on purpose even when they've been a team with no issues for a good while.

[@suedenim]

Yeah, it works better if they're a new or temporary team.

[@TJ1380]

@@suedenim Or if they build up resentment within the team over several months.

[@nosenseinme4354]

I agree, and on a similar note is when someone else attacks one partner, and that partner thinks it was his friend that hit him, and they end up having trust issues the next week as well. Could they not go back and watch the replay and clearly see it was someone else?

[@BainesMkII]

@@nosenseinme4354 Wrestlers not being able to simply watch a replay gets back to the bigger issue of treating it as if wrestlers are incapable of watching the broadcast show in general. (Which is even sillier when you even have backstage segments of wrestlers watching a match on TV.)

[@garyhall7867]

Yeah, but we ended up getting Bret vs Owen at WMX because of that

[@rvawildcardwolf2843]

I have a funny story. I was working at an Indy show and there was the heels beating down one of our babyfaces. His tag partner's music started playing, but since he'd chosen a song with a "buildup" section before the main melody hit, his theme song just played for half a minute before he ran out at the "drop". While his tag partner was getting basically mugged.

[@Torthrodhel]

lmao that's such an indie trend though. Everybody's entrance theme always has entire days of intro section, lol. It is a bit daft. My announcer theme's pretty quick to begin, but my wrestler theme's on the edge of annoying in that way. Might have to chop it down a bit in a sound editor. Or maybe just stick with the announcer theme.

[@cypher515]

You know what's funny? Of all the songs you could use, "Big Time" starts right away. I think Zane had a perfectly good accidental theme song.

[@tuckermitchell7869]

“Maxwell, we all saw what you tried to do last week. We watch the show.” - Chris Jericho doing the best acknowledgment of that trope ever.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

Kinda like "Wrestling Isn't Wrestling" and that one lady playing Batista...

[@TTOF_JB]

Or "You don't think we talk to each other?" or something like that. lol

[@psychorabbitt]

Jericho is the ultimate fourth wall breaker.

[@tuckermitchell7869]

@@psychorabbitt I wouldn’t even say it was a 4th wall break. Even in Kayfabe it’s still a televised show.

[@psychorabbitt]

@@tuckermitchell7869 But Jericho was also the man who answered a "We the people" chant with, "That was a stupid idea from bad creative." Can't say THAT ain't breaking the fourth wall.

[@mdf3530]

The most devastating move in professional wrestling: the surprise roll up pin.

[@deoclasher88]

They're all just mimicking their idol Toru Yano

[@Xehanort10]

Especially to people trying to win the 24/7 belt.

[@E_l_l_i_e]

Tbh, i like the roll up out of nowhere finish.

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

@@E_l_l_i_e I'd love to see a technical wrestler with an 'unescapable pin' move. Not sure I've seen that in a while, but in terms of a fighting sport it just makes sense. You then get the tension of people trying to avoid being put in the hold, but unfortunately wrestlers seem to want to prove they're tough and can 'withstand' things rather than having the smarts and the ability not to be caught by them in the first place

[@TheTrainFan9]

They all learned from Paul Smackage.

[@tomcarr8995]

I was thinking yesterday how William Regal has been NXT GM for years and not turned heel. Just pops up sometimes and growls "WARGAMES!"

[@Hilversumborn]

We need more of those kind of GM. 'You two wanna beat each other up?, okay then, save it for the next PPV cause you two are gonna fight in a Last Man Standing match!'

[@Cboz1978]

@@Hilversumborn The Regal model works, the Adam Pearce/Sonya model does not.

[@Kaltagstar96]

That's why I say Regal is one of the few good modern authority figures and the fact he's a babyface helps a lot.

[@TTOF_JB]

@@Kaltagstar96 It's not even that he's a babyface. He's just not screwing people for the lulz.

[@enigmaskull3495]

William Regal is the best modern GM today.

[@nu-metalfan2654]

* The dirty heel foreigner * Pairing two singles wrestlers into a tag team * Roll ups * Weddings * illegitimate child * double count out and brawl to the back (also know as the Duggan special)

[@crisistian_]

Roll ups are a legit freestyle wrestling stuff

[@fattiger6957]

@@crisistian_ Yeah, I don't have any problem with surprise roll-up/schoolboy wins. Can be mixed with a distraction or just used for a massive upset win.

[@Puvwilmo00]

@@fattiger6957 surprise roll ups by themselves isn't bad, it's just WWE's constant insistence on using them as a finish multiple times on nearly every single show

[@elijahechicagobearsboyd5734]

Roll ups are most definitely overused! Also, I love Nu-Metal as well!

[@sceligator]

Who thought that weddings and wrestling would work together? I've got no idea how that ever became a thing. Much less one that companies keep using!

[@nosenseinme4354]

Can you just imagine a home invasion situation going on in your home. You’re upstairs and can hear your family being attacked downstairs and you’re like “Hey Google, play Real American” before you go downstairs to save them.

[@jonathanreiss5008]

That's how I answer the door every time someone knocks.

[@musicandmagic909]

That's why you go voice activated bruh, you cue the music _while_ you run in

[@cairojoel8943]

i know it's kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to stream new movies online ?

[@andersoniker6119]

@Cairo Joel Flixportal =)

[@cairojoel8943]

@Anderson Iker thanks, signed up and it seems to work =) Appreciate it !

[@VanillaMidgetSSBM]

The way TNA did the invisible camera for a while was pretty good: They actually had the Camera guy hiding behind stuff like he was Paparazzi

[@Mr_Leo_DS]

That's a good idea

[@nothingislogical]

I actually liked that. It actually makes sense too.

[@lovecraftianleviathan8918]

I’ve always thought they should just have the backstage footage be from hi-def security cameras, especially for stuff like backstage attacks. The commentators could say an attack or incident was “caught on our security cameras” and has been edited together at different angles. You may not be able to get close-ups (but if you want that you can just have the wrestler being interviewed) but it would like more plausible and realistic.

[@thewriter8762]

Yeah because it makes logical sense. WWE doesn’t consider stuff like that because they think they are thinking like a regular corporation. Most times they don’t think like us and that can be a real problem.

[@TTOF_JB]

Yeah. The only time the camera was acknowledged was when the wrestler specifically sought out or caught the cameraman.

[@johnathancopson9328]

I like to think Triple h was so hated in kayfabe that no one told him Batista was going to betray him.

[@skyblaze1134]

Honestly that would make sense lol

[@cookieface80]

So he got his revenge by repairing his relationship with Stephanie and forming the Authority.

[@denniswilliams6519]

Honestly this unironically is the answer. Everyone (Even other heels) hated Evolution in Kayfebe so them letting Batista's coming betrayal be kept to themselves just to spite Hunter is believable.

[@pendafen7405]

Likewise, I like to think Edge befriended, manipulated and targeted Randy as a tag partner after Evolution's downfall as a way to get back at HHH.

[@Stopcommentingthesamecomments]

​@@pendafen7405lol tf no

[@NeoCherrn]

That clip of Ric Flair turning on Sting right after being tagged in absolutely kills me every time.

[@eliotdriver1100]

Say the line, Flair *turns on Sting* YAAAAAAAY!!

[@airfixx_8952]

[Sting cries:] "N-a-t-u-r-e booooooooy!!!!"

[@hothotheat3000]

People who aren’t aware they’re on TV. The moment of Lita telling Stacy “I’m pregnant BUT DONT TELL ANYBODYZ” while a camera is in her face is something I’ll never forget.

[@hothotheat3000]

The reaction of the crowd was great. You could hear their incredulity. It would’ve worked so much better if it was a shot of her talking to Stacy from a distance, you see Stacy smile and hug her, and we are left to speculate about what they were talking about because they’re so far away that we can’t hear the conversation.

[@serotonin5852]

That's the same thing as the invisible camera.

[@blitzofchaosgaming6737]

Do you really think every scripted tv show should be Deadpool? I'm sure you have no problem with Breaking Bad characters ignoring the camera that is filming them cook and sell meth, or a horror movie character sneaking up on someone ignoring the huge camera crew, but if a wrestler does it then that is just stupid?

[@cameronbigley7483]

@@blitzofchaosgaming6737 I don't mind it, but it can flag as a flaw in internal logic when they *are* achknowledged for storyline purposes, i.e Randy Orton showing footage to Triple H and Batista.

[@blitzofchaosgaming6737]

@@cameronbigley7483 You are saying the opposite of what the OP said.

[@skull902]

That camera one gets me One of my favorite jokes I've made was when I was watching the Booker T hotel segment from Judgment Day 2002 "Yeah baby, it's just you, me, and the camera guy about to film us getting it on" or something to that effect Also Booker T & Goldust were amazing, just needs to be said

[@curly-d23]

You could make the same joke about the hotel segment between Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie. It’s funny how Torrie goes on to accuse Dawn of “spreading rumours” about their night together, even though there was a cameraman present who supposedly captured everything.

[@skull902]

Oh god, you're right. And that one's even worse!

[@ltothet7247]

Also when Lita told Stacy that she was pregnant and Stacy promised to keep it a secret althought it was live TV lol

[@nabillahlabat5570]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the "wrestlers getting easily distracted by anything during a match" trope, one that really pisses me off.

[@wolfhurricane897]

And the surprise roll up for the win.

[@arun455]

you mean the referees?

[@nabillahlabat5570]

@@arun455 both actually... It's become a cheap way to book a screwy finish.

[@cjvaye99]

Referees or wrestlers?

[@pendafen7405]

This only works well with more lighthearted, whimsical and comedic teams. I think Breezango pulled this one off quite well, and also the reverse where they'd use props and costumes and little distractions to throw off their stronger meaner opponents.

[@LoyaLZX]

The best athourity figure I've seen currently is William Regal in NXT. Dude doesn't fight the wrestlers nor screws them over. Doesn't matter if you're face or heel. The guy is there to manage the show. And if a feud goes into a blood feud you know he'll be involved in it to have it happen at a Takeover.

[@darkdestiny9106]

WAAAAAAAAR GAAAAAAMMMEEEEESSSS!

[@nybxcrotona]

Between Impact, main roster WWE, AEW, and NXT, I think Regal tops it off. Primarily because he's respected enough not to get attacked or ignored often, and it's also frickin' William Regal.

[@epicsmiley140630]

@@nybxcrotona Which makes the rare times when someone does lay their hands on him a way bigger deal, like Dakota Kai's heel turn

[@nybxcrotona]

@@MrCreepyKitty It only works when he's properly respected. Compare Adam Pierce, who is often disrespected by other wrestlers.

[@dibslin985]

So basically he does nothing but make matches. In other words, adds nothing of significance to further storylines or progress the show.

[@GlenGlingo9]

One trope I never liked was managers distracting the referee. Aside from being overdone, refs must've caught on by now, they must know a manager standing on the outside is a blatant decoy for some skulduggery.

[@mattroxursoul]

I actually miss this one, reminds me of when wrestling actually had good managers

[@Aragorn7884]

Big Show turned face 4 times since I watched this video in full.

[@Dwainecurtis2001]

That should be a troupe the many face and heel turns of the Big Show

[@JoshNieporte]

Five now. He's friendly again.

[@Aragorn7884]

@@JoshNieporte 🤣 true

[@heyzeushoards1405]

Another troupe is smarks bringing up old jokes.

[@simplysteve68]

"Trope" not 'Troupe'. A 'Troupe' is an old term for a group of performers. Well, if you think about it, they are a Troupe of Tropes! Lol 🤣😂😆

[@VinnieGer]

Mark Henry yelling and beating the sound guy for playing The Big Show’s theme even though he didn’t come was admittedly funny as hell.

[@RBlair69]

NOW IT DON'T DO NOTHING! NOTHING!

[@Xehanort10]

The sound guy went into the Hall of Pain for that.

[@patrickjohnson1649]

Okay, Okay, But C’mon... Dario Cueto, c’mon he’s the Best Authority Figure since McMahon.

[@Vesperitis]

I still insist that Dario is Tony Khan from the future.

[@KramerKontained94]

YOU WORK FOR DARIO, NOW!

[@Rosario_Verano]

He's an actual, professional actor. That's why he was good.

[@lowrider9398]

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

[@mikethegrunty5968]

RING THE BELL!!!

[@RayCharound]

"holy shit! My opponent is outside of the ring and I'm in the ring. Let me look at the other side of the ring, then back at my opponent. Should I do it? It's a risk. Should I do it? Ok ok, suicide dive!"

[@dougfancy101290]

#7 One of the most baffling things about this trope is when the heel is beating the face, then the hero's music hits and the heel just completely stops what they are doing. This is even more perplexing when a heel is about to win a ladder match and they stop climbing the ladder to react to the hero's entrance.

[@SouthpawJosh]

This is how Brock Lesnar won MITB years back. It should have been Mustafa Ali... but Brock's music hit, and he was frozen in fear. This was the reverse of "face-heel" in your scenario.

[@fattiger6957]

Wrestlers apparently have Pavlovian programming to make them freeze in place when they hear entrance music.

[@IelNadLowBar]

Speaking of the ladder matches. I hate how these sux foot + super athletic men can't climb a ladder. A moderately sturdy double sided ladder. Each time the scene has to go through all the steps. 1. Knockout or remove opponent(s). 2. Grab a ladder from outside the ring. ( Do not grab one already in the ring, A ladder from under the ring is best, especially when you have to move one out of the way to grab it). 3. Toss ladder in ring. 4. Stop to observe opponents before slowly climbing back into the ring slowly. 5. Stand ladder in the middle of ring, being certain turn it so the hard camera gets the best view. 6. Start to climb the ladder . 7. Pause for a moment at each step and hang your head low to show exhaustion. 8.Stay at least one step lower than necessary to teach belt or briefcase or whatever. NOW THE BEST PART 9. Do not fully extend elbow when reaching for the briefcase/belt. 10. Stand on this step a bit longer while watching for you next spot.

[@Xehanort10]

@@IelNadLowBar Yeah. The whole climbing really slowly up the ladder to build the tension of whether they'll grab the belt, briefcase or whatever is annoying. Realistically they'd quickly climb up, grab it and win.

[@KingKhanate1997]

Poor Adam Pearce man. His character really is just a normal guy trying his best to do his job and not get murdered by his muscled up, overly demanding and occasionally psychotic workers.

[@lworthy2518]

And now, he's having his authority secretly undermined by his fellow authority partner (DeVille).

[@edvdylanfan]

Scott D'Amore in Impact rn reminds me of the Penguin from Bojack Horseman

[@frankbonini9128]

Now He's Basically a Protector of the Heel Fellow Authority Figure, While Also Doing the Occasional/On & Off Heel Work Himself

[@AJARyan-yn2uv]

So Adam Pierce to his wrestlers is like Ashley to Homelander.

[@BulletClub444Life]

I'd add the "wrestler gets distracted by a theme even though said wrestler doesn't actually interfere" cliche.

[@stefanradebach2889]

The single worst instance of this has to be Fastlane 2017 where it damaged Owens credibility and resulted in the newly made Universal Championship that was made "for the fans" to be stuck on someone who barely appears on Raw which also hurt the title's credibility as well and made it look more like an accessory than a prestigious prize.

[@rickyrosay33977]

​@@stefanradebach2889or Mustafa ali just stopping on top of the ladder

[@harryjones6116]

Wrestlers huddling together on the ringside area and waiting for somebody to jump on them is the worst trope by far.

[@nabillahlabat5570]

Finally someone said it

[@SteelyDanzig]

@@nabillahlabat5570 JR has been complaining about it like every week on his podcast for years

[@nabillahlabat5570]

@@SteelyDanzig yeah I know, I mean on this comment section, I've been scrolling and didn't see anyone mention it

[@BlitzkriegBryce]

@@SteelyDanzig Cornette as well. It makes me think of cheerleaders when they circle up and catch someone after a jump.

[@markabraham2367]

It wouldn't be so bad if they could get the timing right, but if the person making the jump takes too long to get there, it's the worst

[@travisgowen5044]

My favorite: The way certain wrestlers can be invincible to punches, kicks, chair shots, 3 on 1 attacks, and finishers one minute. Then struggle to victory (or possibly defeat) when actually booked for a match.

[@elijahechicagobearsboyd5734]

Or how a monster is first completely dominant, but a couple years later any non midget can put a competitive fight against them...

[@tyratooOP]

@@elijahechicagobearsboyd5734 At least when Mysterio went up against big guys they made it very believable that he could take them down due to his craftiness. But he rarely won against big men. And if he did, it was because of help or some type of shenanigans. Show vs Mysterio and Brock vs Mysterio on Smackdown early 2000s were great for those reasons. It put over Mysterio big that he was able to last long against these giants but the giants would still get over at the end so at the end of the day, no one looked bad.

[@emanuelmartinez7267]

@@tyratooOP they did something similar with ziggler during his feud with Cena were they said that although Cena had the size and power advantage Ziggler was much faster and due to his collegiate wrestling background he had the tactical advantage and he is willing to use dirty tricks to get an edge. Little things like that help sell the fans on a guy

[@DepressedHyena]

The Trope of watching a TV while standing side on, like a literal sociopath, should get a mention!

[@Xehanort10]

The one where they have to basically do the Michael Myers Halloween head tilt while watching it.

[@DepressedHyena]

@@mychaeljones7526 so true, I feel like someone must of caught on to how stupid it looks haha!

[@KegOfMeat]

Just a friendly reminder that The Nexus’ entrance song We Are One by 12 Stones is a fucking banger and is underrated as fuck. Also, I knew Ric turned on Sting once but I didn’t realise he’d done it a second time. That’s hilarious.

[@AndreNDP]

Sting used to be called "the stupidest man in wrestling" as a joke on the Observer, because he ALWAYS got turned on.

[@lewisprice8616]

@@AndreNDP that makes him sound like the horniest guy instead

[@AndreNDP]

@@lewisprice8616 Hey, he loves his honey, he loves the rock. Those things usually lead to that.

[@iamthurnis745]

they let Sting into the Horseman and then like the first night kicked him out haha he’s such an idiot (in kayfabe)

[@WCWThunderRosa]

Bruh he did it like 3 times lmao, he did it to Crow Sting too

[@chubbycatfish4573]

I don't know if it counts as a trope, but the whole recently fired wrestler sitting at ringside thing happened a lot.

[@djm5687]

If they have a ticket, they have to let them sit in the arena...unless it's Enzo Amore! 😆

[@MinimiMax]

@@djm5687 I mean that part I get. If you pay for a ticket, obviously you should be able to sit there. But it seems to also give you a free pass to interfere with the show that no other fan has.

[@michaelbandada9887]

Superstars losing due to a rival’s entrance theme is somehow a trend

[@michaelbandada9887]

@@supersasukemaniac imagine a superstar on the verge of winning a big time match, only for him to lose due to his rival making his presence felt by playing his entrance music or even trolling him by playing his music and never show up. The poor schmuck gets screwed and he ends up looking stupid for being distracted easily

[@fattiger6957]

@@supersasukemaniac I want to see the opposite of that someday. Like the music plays, and instead of being distracted and standing there, the guy rushes and tries to win the match before the run-in starts.

[@desklaser]

Just how easily people are distracted in general.

[@Xehanort10]

Exactly. Realistically wouldn't you focus on your opponent in the ring and try and beat them as quickly as possible so you can focus on the person you're feuding with? Instead of staring up the ramp shocked and shouting shit allowing your opponent to roll you up or hit their finisher and win when you turn around.

[@crimsoncutz8430]

This is fine in theory, but it needs to be done quickly. Music hits, guy looks up in surprise, turns back and then gets caught by the other guys finisher or roll up or whatever. A momentary distraction is plausible enough. Unfortunately in practice we usually get "My enemy's music is playing! I must stand here staring at the stage for ten seconds doing absolutely nothing!"

[@thatguyfromak5190]

It's weird that TNA did the "invisible camera" trope probably the best out of any company from like 2011-2013. They had the camerawork look like it was covert, showing things that shouldn't have been seen. Probably the best part of a otherwise abysmal product.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Zane, I got three words for ya: BEST THEME EVER! Fo' real, I LOVE the new intro theme for Wrestlng With Wregret. Shout out to the MC for the lyrics.

[@PKSunset]

Megaran has always been a good lyricist

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@PKSunset I was impresed. Didn't he do the song for the Retromania trailer?

[@beelzeburbia]

@@kenterminateddq5311 If I recall, yes!

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@beelzeburbia Dude, he sounds awesome (just like Retromania).

[@musclethestrong1522]

Best betrayal: Marty Jannetty bailing on his tag team partner by escaping through a barber shop window.

[@wstine79]

The "Let's Pair Two Random Wrestlers into a Tag Team and Crown Them Champions."

[@michaelbandada9887]

Team Hell No Rock and Sock Connection Stone Cold and any of his partners The Bar

[@mindyourbuisness8104]

@@michaelbandada9887 those are the good examples could name 10 times more bad ones

[@wstine79]

@@michaelbandada9887 Granted, they were awesome. But, it does take away from established Tag Teams.

[@Windwalker88]

And when they get over break em up again

[@michaelbandada9887]

@@wstine79 the one thing that fans are expecting from these random paired teams is how long will they last or who will make the move to betray the other guy first

[@Slick5150]

Referees getting knocked out at just the slightest touches The babyface being so distracted by someone on the outside that they can't finish the match & The Rivials who are forced to get along

[@fattiger6957]

The fragile ref has to be the funniest trope, though. They can lose consciousness from a strong wind.

[@mdf3530]

The “bickering tag team” is okay when used sparingly.

[@cookieface80]

@@fattiger6957 Unless it's the videogames, sometimes the refs start kicking ass in those.

[@E_l_l_i_e]

Nice list.

[@Hilversumborn]

Tropes are ingredients. Depending on how you use them they can work. But some work better than others.

[@EnvyDSin]

Also depends how much you use them. Have not enough and you'd feel like something's missing, while too much will make you tired/sick of it.

[@RealAlphaDrum]

pointing at the WM sign. looking back at the ring from the ramp completely ignoring the camera right in front of the wrestler, ignoring their personal space.

[@outlawrip-offartist4161]

In an ironic way I love when wrestlers wait for their entrance theme to hit before they save someone just for dramatic affect.

[@TankHardcheese]

It's even better when they just feel compelled to hit their pose first THEN rush the ring.

[@outlawrip-offartist4161]

@@TankHardcheese it’s the most logical thing you can do.

[@ToruKun1]

"Maybe the wrestlers are micro-chipped like those old action figures in the Titantron playset?" I REALLY THOUGHT THIS WHEN I WAS A KID THO 😂😂😭

[@amillo01]

The "can they coexist" surely deserves a shout

[@brianbattaglia2187]

Always hated the “get injured at start of a match, go to the back or hospital then come back to win”

[@ibn1989]

With bandages on your ribs lol.

[@Torthrodhel]

Good call. The promoters think it makes the wrestler look ultra tough, but all it actually does is make injuries look like nothing. Which makes all wrestlers look weak when they actually get them and have to actually take time off. It's so stupid.

[@ZachAttackIsBack]

Paul Pierce did this in the NBA.

[@Xehanort10]

And the no selling supposedly being horribly injured and running to the ring completely fine.

[@SennaHawx]

@@Torthrodhel Also...Since the death of kayfabe in the 90's it just makes fans aware that the wrestler wasn't trusted to wrestle for the whole duration of the match. Hell...Brock Lesnar's 2020 Royal Rumble performance only happened because fans started to make fun of him only wrestling for 10 minutes at best in any match

[@johnrconnolly]

I think that Mr. America got away with being signed, as he was signed "Sight unseen"... Stephanie was in charge of SD, and freaked out when she saw him for the first time...

[@MrItsthesimon]

this is correct. she was trying to stop bischoff getting him first, so she signed him without knowing much about him. this storyline was actually really well done and entertaining and i don't know why people malign it so much. it was goofy, sure, but it all made a sort of logical sense.

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

@@MrItsthesimon it one of the better masked wrestler storylines since it was clearly played for laughs, unlike most

[@johnrconnolly]

@@MrItsthesimon I was one of the few that liked the storyline of Mr. America. It kept one of the biggest stars ever on TV, while not having him in there week in and out for the world title. It was goofy but was by design and not accident.

[@Xehanort10]

@@MrItsthesimon Because of the stupidity of everyone in the angle except Vince thinking Mr America wasn't Hulk Hogan.

[@MrItsthesimon]

@@Xehanort10 that didn't happen though, the only person who said it wasn't was Tazz, and he was a heel commentator. everyone knew. thats why on his debut episode, before he appeared on screen, stephanie saw him backstage and freaked out and tried to get vince to leave before vince saw him. i watched through this period a couple of weeks ago.

[@PlatinumRoseLady]

Call me old-fashioned, but the whole "face wrestler under a mask and different identity drives the heel wrestler straight up the wall" trope always amused me. It just did.

[@kirbichu54]

"Waiting for your theme to hit" Flashbacks to Vampiro at Triplemania

[@antonmasters8626]

Where's the F***ing Music!!?

[@jameshill3403]

He's still waiting for his theme to play

[@kingofthemanties]

For the love of god, play my fucking music

[@RobertGreenwald]

I have always hated the contract signing. My immediate thought is always “Aren’t you two already under contract?” Then I wonder if every match has a contract signing that usually isn’t important enough to see. The only ones that somewhat make sense are when a genuine outsider is brought in for a match (i.e. Rousey). I also hate: using pregnancy in storylines, losing the baby in storylines, the authority figure (usually Vince McMahon) suggesting a match everyone wants to see, then deciding “but not tonight.” It’s cheap heat that always made me reevaluate why I’m watching this show if they’re just going to taunt me with what I want.

[@rickyrosay33977]

I also hate the contract signing like why does the world have to know that you're singing a contract like Paul Heyman said they could've done that in the back in private like a normal contract signing goes

[@AlexFyrehartDGAFCave]

Ah yes, I'm fairly sure #8 is also known as "SHE DOESN'T EVEN GO HERE!"

[@TheTrainFan9]

They're not even supposed to be here today!

[@lworthy2518]

Michael Cole: Vintage Bianca Belair

[@arlopear7136]

TNA really went to the masked man trope well pretty hard a little over a decade ago with Christopher Daniels. Daniels got the fired briefcase at "Feast or Fired" & was "fired" as a result. Then he appeared under a mask as Curry Man from India. Next Feast or Fired it'd be Curry Man who would open the Fired Briefcase & get "fired" from TNA. Shortly after that Christopher Daniels would return to TNA

[@TheMDXtremeReal]

My favorite wrestling trope is the *Stunt Granny*

[@simonisenberg4516]

I'm often annoyed by the "powerless authority figure" when a wrestler is constantly making demands from, threatening or attacking their employer without repercussions.

[@rvawildcardwolf2843]

Especially in the post-modern era where all fans over 15 know how fickle and ruthless these people are.

[@starbreaker269]

Austin did this all the time even though story wise, Mr mcmahon could've easily gotten rid of him if he felt like it

[@cookieface80]

@@starbreaker269 He did fire him once, and then Austin kidnapped him and threatened to murder him. I think Shane hired him back with a clause that prevented Vince from firing him again or something.

[@cookieface80]

I think that the commisioner had no power over Austin for the same reason.

[@Xehanort10]

@@cookieface80 They explained in storyline that while Vince hated Austin he made him a lot of money so he kept trying to either put up with him or get him under control.

[@guapounggoy]

#1 definitely. Teddy Long was okay, but I was forever wishing for a return to the Jack Tunney style days when the authority stayed behind the scenes.

[@sceligator]

But they never booked anyone "IN A TAG TEAM MATCH WITH THE UNDERTAKER PLAYA!"

[@karisumataichou]

@@sceligator You mean an 8-man tag team match with the Undertaker in the final 10 minutes of the show that ends in a DQ.

[@p.d.l7023]

Trivia: Barry Windham did the Yellow Dog gimmick in Florida way before Pillman did it.

[@theronmitchell3073]

Interestingly enough was that it was Barry who beat pillman in that loser leaves town match, and pillman kept attacking Windham as the yellow dog

[@Gunman221]

I laughed way to hard at work on the skit of the tag partner waiting for his music to hit to help his friend

[@tonythepokemonguy751]

Maybe Rhea that time when Bianca was getting attacked by Charlotte was paying homage to the sandman

[@mikeoxmall7917]

Vicki guererro, love her or hate her got the best crowd reactions, she played that part so well

[@Puncherjoe1]

I remember there was an episode of Raw or Smackdown where she was trying to do the opening promo and set up a Match, but couldn't get a word out because of all the booing. Cena ended up having to pull a "What's that Vickey? I have a match with Dolph Ziggler AND Timmy's Trapped in a well? Well okay."

[@markabraham2367]

EXCUSE ME!

[@slashandbones13]

Apparently, the famous "excuse me" line was a total accident. She forgot her line for a second, said that to give herself a few seconds to think, and the crowd just had a massive reaction to it.

[@SweetLu666]

The announcers constantly giving away that a match isn't ending by saying "this is over" or "new champion right here" when a pin is started.

[@realxjosh8298]

Idk about that one cause it usually is the end of a match.

[@MrRyan0214]

Ah yes, the Vince McMahon special. Matches in the 90s with him on commentary are nigh unwatchable. It gets So. Goddamn. Annoying.

[@alexandremullen4293]

I agree! Nothing screams "false finish" more than Michael Cole saying "The streak is over!" or "We have a new champion!" They do it to create suspense, but it has the opposite effect.

[@cookieface80]

@@MrRyan0214 "One,Two, Thre- OH NO NO!" "OH WE'VE GOT A NEW CHAMPIO- OH AND A KICK OUT!" "UNBELIEVABLE!"

[@Xehanort10]

@@MrRyan0214 "HE GOT HIM- oh wait no he didn't."

[@nbr6116]

The old theme accompanied us through a lot and it holds a special place in my heart, but yeah, this new one SLAPS

[@edvdylanfan]

Scott D'Amore and Adam Pearce are severely underrated authority figures.

[@dibslin985]

Adam Pearce sucks. He's boring

[@PrinceVegita1]

WCW used to lampshade the backstage camera trope. One time David Flair got caught cheating and his gf Daphne saw it on a TV. Later David went to the crew and asked who filmed him and shaved a guy's head lol

[@justinweiss2661]

3:20 The "Sound guy, I am begging you. Pick that shit up" line killed me

[@monkeyman5866]

I'm getting flashbacks to when you said that you wanted to book a battle royal and kill the battle royal trope of not eliminated yet.

[@TubbyJ420]

You forgot about Don Callis in ECW on TNN. he was 'the network' which was preventing all the weapons & blood in matches. He was getting nuclear heat from the crowd, more than actual heels, and he wasnt even wrestling.

[@MrNightshade2010]

wasnt that "fonzies" schitck in the original ecw ..... He "enforced the rules"

[@TheLandofObscusion]

1. I can fully believe that no one would tell Triple H about Batista knowing about he & Flair colluding behind Batistia's back. This was "Reign of Terror" Triple H, so I'm sure literally everybody else in WWE, both on Raw & Smackdown, were more than happy to see Hunter get what was long coming. 2. Sting being the poster child for being betrayed makes me honestly feel that AEW's going to try to do a major swerve and have Sting be the one who turns heel on Darby at some point, because it'd be too obvious to have Darby (or, more likely, Lance Archer) turn heel on Sting.

[@rogueparadox5447]

I think AEW is smart enough to know that a heel Sting is doomed to fail

[@Mr_Leo_DS]

1 - ok, but, doesn't Hunter watch the fricking shows? It's weird anyway

[@ToxicDarkLord]

@@Mr_Leo_DS Actually that was answered before early on in the 90s and shit that Triple H on an episode of smackdown or something like that joked that he does not watch the previous episodes or that he ain't got time to rewatch the episode. I got this Information from Reddit when people were talking about the Triple H and Batista feud.

[@cookieface80]

@@Mr_Leo_DS Hunter prefers Smackdown.

[@s13works]

As a Canadian, the greatest moment in "foreign bad" is In Your House: Canadian Stampede. "Oh, the Hart family are heels because they're telling you how much your country sucks and theirs is better? Well, lets blow off this feud in their home town and see what kind of reaction they get? Jim Neidhart almost got as big a pop as Steve Austin? In 1997? Forty members of the family are celebrating in the ring and everyone in the building is delirious with joy? Our whole endgame is 'the heels win and are much beloved for it'?" To their credit, they at least stuck with that and did play that specific show with much less Canada bad, USA good.

[@DenOfVipers]

Lol, I love that during the "inevitable betrayal" segment, the music bed is Sting's WCW theme. The rube.

[@kennethmalone4689]

#2 has been so successful over the years because it's one of the most effective ways of turning the fans against the heel. Although there are exceptions Americans are proud to be Americans. One trope that I actually do feel is overplayed is when the heel insults it city's professional sports teams. It's cheap heat, but it works.

[@closethockeyfan5284]

The reverse nauseates me just as much: "This guy's a good guy because he's American." Huge missed opportunity not including Tribute to the Tropes (pun intended) in a list of honorable mentions

[@kennethmalone4689]

@@closethockeyfan5284 I get that but it did serve as a good segway for a heel to switch to face. ...the whole, "I may not play by the rules but I'm still an American and I love my country." It's a story that works because it's real world. People may differ, sometimes vehemently, but they're unified when their homeland is persecuted. It's just like a Republican Cowboys fan watching a game with a Democrat Cowboys fan while the Cowboys are playing Washington. There's unity there.

[@steel4o]

Weddings !!!!!!!! So shocked you did not mention them. Also being shocked about your favorite youtuber not revealing what you were thinking he would reveal. :)

[@dynad00d15]

or just the love and betrayal angles..

[@E_l_l_i_e]

Foiled weddings, to be specific.

[@patrickracer43]

For fans wanting to chant "USA" never forget when a match between Canadian Chris Jericho and Canadian Chris Benoit going up against La Resistance, who were French, got a "USA, USA" chant, and you can just see the buffering wheel spinning in Benoit's head

[@SteveElOtaku]

What killed the "heel authority figure" for me was the one-two punch of John Laurinaitis and The Authority. Vince, for as grating as he can be sometimes, is still a great promo man. He's a great heel, the man was born to be a heel. But Johnny Ace? Stephanie? What made the Authority especially awful was their invulnerability--say what you will about Vince, but he got over because he was willing to let Austin beat the tar out of him repeatedly. Steph can't get hurt by any of the male faces because of the PG product at the time, and Triple H was equally as untouchable. (That said--man sold like a champ whenever it happened he actually faced consequences.)

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

HHH took bumps during the feud with the Shield and Sting. As far as Stephanie goes, i would argue that Stephanie being invulnerable is what made her role as a heel exec realistic. Vince getting hit with somebody's finisher wasn't realistic at all because people can't do that in the real world.

[@SteveElOtaku]

@@decepticonxhunter4850 Oh for sure, I do agree on HHH taking bumps, he sold them really, really well, too. Problem is is that the Authority just kept coming back. Angle didn't need to run as long as it did. And yeah, maybe it is more realistic--but this is wrestling. In the same breath as "realistically untouchable authority figure" you also have "immortal personification of death" and "backwoods cultist who is now a demon clown."

[@G33kCulture]

I remember when I got hired to my current job. We had a contract signing and then I put my boss through a table.

[@rmcdudtheyounger3221]

Some Tropes are dope, and some tropes are for dopes. 😁

[@gezeo750]

"Except for that dark time when John Laurinaitis almost exclusively signed wrestlers who could fit into this silhouette..." Wait...what!? That was a thing?

[@scotthardie5141]

No but he just signed a load of generic, tall, Ken doll looking guys

[@Xehanort10]

@@scotthardie5141 And tried to pass off talentless models as women's wrestlers just because he wanted to fuck them.

[@andrewpollard_]

Dope ass new theme! Mega Ran killed it.

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

I came here so fast Big Show hasn't finished his 999th heel turn yet.

[@claytonrios1]

Michael Cole saying "Oh my!" Could be considered a trope. Though I could say the same for JRs, "Bah Gawd" among his other catchphrases.

[@dynad00d15]

Cole's trope should also be "Vintage [INSERT WRESTLER NAME HERE] right there", even when it's a basic wrestling move.. :D

[@blacktytrix]

At least JR used familiar calls but made them unique to the situation. Thats why JR is great. Cole is just sort of fed the lines.

[@claytonrios1]

@@dynad00d15 Sometimes it works for a Claymore Kick or an RKO but not for basic moves that you see a bunch of times in a match.

[@Mr_Leo_DS]

Right, every fucking return is followed by the same line, if you go check the rare occasions where Cole didn't say it, you will see it ends up being great Could say the same thing for "can it be? It is!"

[@JPReckless2444]

true, but J.R. comes across as genuine. Cole comes across as a force cliche & makes them as an obvious trope.

[@watchreport]

Let’s not forget one of the biggest tropes-Having to wait till next week to get back at that guy who ambushed me, beat me up, punched my wife or kidnapped my daughter. lol 😂 With very few exceptions, the guys and gals never handle their business off show. “This guy stole my bike. I’ll have to wait till Raw next week in Milwaukee until I can try and get it back. I need to go book my flight...

[@cookieface80]

To be fair they might've left the arena, in which case you'd have to wait until next week.

[@James40000]

'Nom De Plume' is a pen name. Sorry Brian, you were looking for 'Nom De Guerre' I enjoyed the video all the same.

[@SometimesCreator]

juan cena. john cena with a horse body

[@friendlygiant2314]

The sound guy shouldn't need amazing reflexes, he should be able to see the guy running towards the entrance and be able to just press a single button to play a song. It's 2021, it can't be that hard to keymap songs to buttons

[@michaelkeha]

I mean probably IRL has an entire soundboard which is just the roster's themes on command

[@danielbridger7113]

the most frustrating trope for me is during a tag team match when the ILLEGAL partner runs in to break up a pinfall. in my opinion that should be a DQ but no, the ref just yells "hey, u cant do that!"

[@djm5687]

In other words: "I warned you. 😡 If you keep doing that, I'll have no choice but to...warn you again!" 😡

[@patrickdare5356]

5 count, dude. You can do anything illegal as long as you stop before five. Unless you're Ricky Steamboat.

[@jb888888888]

IIRC in World Class the announcers would explain that a team is allowed one run-in to break up a pin, but any more than that would be a DQ. If the ref sees it of course.

[@keithhamilton5171]

I always thought the ref bump is a trope. One mild contact and the ref is down leaving the heels 👠 free to cheat. Or the heel manager gets on the ring apron distracting the face leading to the most devastating move in wrestling: the surprise roll up.

[@lukasd.4389]

Wrestlers bending over after a whip into the ropes to get kicked in the face is the stupidest thing ever, always takes me out of it

[@Mr_Leo_DS]

Right, me too, if they at least put their arms up to prepare a back body drop

[@Hypno_BPM]

especially when the other wrestler takes too long to perform a move or whatever then the bending over wrestler just stands there for too long looking silly lol

[@macabre_delights]

When a wrestler pulls the ropes to flip their opponent into the ring makes me roll my eyes lol

[@hothotheat3000]

And people standing there waiting to catch someone when they dive.

[@Mr_Leo_DS]

@@macabre_delights yes, this only works for comedy wrestling

[@ThreeSingleandco]

The ref going into a coma when he gets punched once

[@nothingislogical]

One of my favorite takes on the authority figure was something TNA did pretty early on. They had a "championship committee" that made decisions regarding championship matches and very rarely they would have a "representative" (usually Dusty Rhoads but I think there were a few others mix in there too) come out and announce whatever decision they'd make. A very old school way to approach the authority figure thing.

[@bigrigpickett3948]

I can't be the only one who loves the new theme

[@jd7538]

Hate the fact that wrestlers wake up before they get counted out and just make it in at 9. I can understand and get behind it on a rare occasion, but the fact is that its quite common, and feels so cliché.

[@rvawildcardwolf2843]

I read an article in a magazine once (remember when there were multiple Wrestling mags?) Where an "expert" explained that waiting till 9 or kicking out at 2 was because wrestlers were strategically trying to catch their breath and save their energy as much as possible. It was a nice try.

[@ToxicDarkLord]

@@rvawildcardwolf2843 If that is the case then I hope they acknowledge it and that seems like something a Heel will do more frequently than a face in trying to slow the match down and halt any momentum.

[@MoonlightStrider]

@@ToxicDarkLord IIRC I remember hearing Matt Striker and JR explaining the 20 count in NJPW for the purpose of catching ones breath in WK9.

[@MekoUnknown]

"Curse your sudden yet inevitable betrayal!" AKA Sting's WCW career in a nutshell.

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

Scott Steiner dogs and betrayed him

[@sergiofrazier4604]

When a booker is trying to get a heel over and they use the "you people" promo to do it.

[@michaelkeha]

What do you want them to do only so much you can shit on the faces without making them look like shit but insulting the audience can be used far more liberally

[@EGTitusPlays]

I believe the "authority figure" has been played WAY too much. Today, a simple Jack Tuney type character, balanced decision making, is the most a company should do.

[@48jhj]

"oh god they broke his leg thats bad!" that made me do a spit take

[@TUFprofan]

The invisible camera trope gets me the most when the wrestlers are in a hotel room or out on a date. Why would you have a camera there unless something was gonna happen? Enzo getting beat up by Rusev came to mind.

[@BretGriffis]

Or the most suspect one; Booker T about to do the sex in a hotel room and Goldust shows up in the same bed

[@exavierwilson5987]

New theme??? Ayooo we really in future rn😭😭I like it tho so we good

[@MEEZLEMONSTER]

Worst wrestling trope evar: The most devastating move in sports entertainment -- The Surprise Roll-Up!

[@barryaherne215]

I'm not sure if this can be considered a trope, but in any match where there will be a few falls, the simplest moves gets a pinfall. I'm thinking 5-on-5 Survivor Series midcard matches where a German suplex will get a pinfall. Worse still are 2 out of 3 falls matches where a wrestler won't kick out of the finisher in the first fall when they have the most energy, but they'll have the energy to kick out deep into the third fall 40 minutes into a match.

[@Lunacorva]

For Number 6. This is why I loved Lucha Underground's cinematic backstage scenes. It showed the camera was clearly non-diagetic and was NOT a physical thing that existed in the universe. This was helped by a match being changed backstage and the announcers at ringside being shocked by it's announcement since, logically, they WOULDN'T know about the change or deal since they don't have access to a magic camera.

[@reinreed]

My friends and I like to think in canon the wrestlers are micro-chipped for their entrance music to hit. This is why everyone is surprised when an un-announced wrestler shows up, but their music still plays, and why wrestlers have to run in from the other side, opposite the entrance, through the crowd if they don't want their music to play. This does raise some questions about Edge & Christian's Attitude era entrance, tho

[@RegularTrent]

The "Wrestler A hits Wrestler B with his devastating finishing maneuver 3 times during a match yet can't pin him each time, only for Wrestler B to make a comeback, hit his move once and win" trope. Examples: John Cena, Triple H, Hulk Hogan and Roman Reigns

[@stevewright5284]

Triple h and Roman never did this

[@retrorockrxx2752]

One that I would add is that only heels form stables. I never understood why babyfaces can't get some friends to watch their backs but heels always have friends to help them cheat. Some stables turned face later (Shield, DX) but they broke up soon after turning. The only stable that started as faces were the New Day and they only became popular after a heel turn. Well also the Union but no one remembers them. Other than that the contract signing is my most loathed trope. Whenever I see that nonsense I sigh and go make a fridge run.

[@evilwillhunting]

Don’t forget the face being distracted and ignoring the HUGE crowd reaction as the heel is sneaking up on him from behind. I NEVER understood that.

[@watchreport]

All faces are deaf. Lol

[@hothotheat3000]

YES. Even if you’re deaf, you can’t feel the ring moving as they hop in behind you?

[@Hypno_BPM]

lol it’s a classic, like when a wrestler turns exactly at the right timing to get hit in the head with a steel chair

[@jeromelbbs9592]

Unstoppable heel monsters suddenly becoming vulnerable after turning face.

[@supermario_49]

I love when Brian talks about the Worsts in wrestling xD

[@CallMeCaptainROCKET]

The part of theme songs reminds me of that scene from Vampiro "Where the fuck is my music?!?"

[@The-Brute-Squad]

Foreign heel is a big trope in Japan, too. Being a gaijin doesn't automatically make you a heel, but "conquering hero defeats evil foreigner" goes back to Rikidozan and continues today.

[@michaelkeha]

It's everywhere and in Japan more often than not you earn your face status if you are a gaijin or if your black then do some comically racist spots on TV