I was thinking about how people complain that wrestlers seldom come running out without their music playing anymore, as if it is does not make sense in kayfabe. And while I agree that people should sometimes come running out in intense situations without their music playing, it is a great audio cue to get the crowd to react and it is not as if it makes no sense in kayfabe. There could be an audio guy at the Gorilla position who can see someone coming and quickly queue up their theme.

It then led me to thinking about Kane's debut and how you could describe it in kayfabe. Was Kane supposed to have signed as a contracted WWF wrestler, which was kept secret from everyone by, the soon to be revealed as dastardly, Vince McMahon? In that case, him having a theme ready and pyro planned (if we are not going for the magic powers version of kayfabe here) makes sense. But what about a more fun and silly kayfabe explanation? Paul Bearer had gotten a theme commissioned for his son and bribes both the audio and pyro guys to set things up for the surprise debut. Or Paul Bearer has Kane threatening the audio guy until he will play the CD he has brought with him. That's a behind the scenes visual I'd love to see. Kane choking the sound guy while Bearer is waving his mix tape in his face. Then after his attack on The Undertaker, Vince McMahon sees the $$$ and signs Kane to a deal.

Basically this all got me thinking of trying to explain things in kayfabe that might not immediately seem to make sense.

The finish to Austin/Rock at Mania X-Seven is one that some people have had trouble with. Austin is going to side with Vince but Vince doesn't come out until long into a match that Austin could've lost. But that always made sense to me. Austin needed to beat Rock "more than you can even imagine". But there were two levels to that. He wanted to prove himself against and beat the best after his injury and time out, but ultimately he wanted the title at almost any cost. So he would have agreed with Vince to let him go against Rock mano a mano, but if it looked like he was on the cusp of losing, to then intervene. And that is what happened. Rock almost pinned Austin with the Survivor Series 1996 finish and then got even closer with his own Stunner. Rock was on course to win the match at that point, so Vince came down to ensure Austin won.

So use this thread to explain or at least attempt to explain seemingly nonsensical events through the lens of kayfabe.

Bonus points for an Underfaker kayfabe explanation that I am even remotely happy with.

Think of the no DQ stipulation added to the match. The Rock & SCSA are doing whatever it takes to win. Before the match & Vince's appearance, they were focused on destroying each other. Remember JR's shock at the stip being announced? nobody had a clue why? until Vince showed up.

The ECW Arena Lights Out Surprise: Clearly just rogue wrestlers paying off the lighting guy, who still lives in his childhood bedroom of his parents house and could really use the money. 

I'd imagine there's a meeting prior to television each week, where Vince goes:

" look guys, we don't have a main event tonight... nor have we planned the opening segment, so if one of you guys wants to go out there and say something.. and then another one of you guys wants to challenge him for the main event. I'm cool with that. "

May 20, 2022 21:56:34 GMT Strobe said:

Bonus points for an Underfaker kayfabe explanation that I am even remotely happy with.

Dibiase brought Undertaker in. Taker became a huge star. Yet Dibiase never really made any money off the Deadman. It was a rare bad deal from the Million Dollar Man's perspective.

With Taker now dead, Dibiase decided he was going to do it right this time. He went searching for a big guy he could make the new Taker. Found one. Spent lots of money on plastic surgery to make him look like the real Undertaker because that same plan worked so well the first time with Fake Hebner.

But why a Fake Taker? A combination of trolling the fans and piggybacking on the aura/intimidation factor created over the past 3+ years by real Taker.

But how does Faker no sell just like the real one? A combination of training and money. Dibiase and his henchmen worked Faker hard in training to make him tough. Dibiase also doled out big bucks every time Faker copied Taker's mannerisms, including those patented no sells.

TLDR: Dibiase was actually a hardcore Taker fanboy who wanted lightning to strike twice, and this time he planned on benefiting from it. And he would have gotten away with it too if not for that pesky Real Undertaker refusing to stay dead.

When a wrestler is literally dying on the floor but then springs up at a count of 9.5 to beat the count out, they were just using every last second to rest and recover and weren't actually that hurt in the first place. It's an old trick that all wrestlers use and their opponents know it's coming but also use the extra time to rest and recover inside the ring. Like an unspoken agreement.

I've always wondered about the kayfabe explanations of planned heel interruptions. It happens all the time: Heel vs Face in an important match. Face is about to win, Heel Ally comes out and distracts the ref at the perfect time to save the match, Heel wins.

In kayfabe, how does Heel Ally know when to come out?

Maybe they plan it backstage.

Heel: "OK, here's what's going to happen. I'm going to beat Face on my own. But if it looks like I'm going to lose, which I won't, come out and distract the referee and I'll take care of the rest."

Heel Ally: "Sure, I got your back. How do I know if you're going to lose?"

Heel: "There's literally only one way I can lose. Face hits his finisher. Come on, have you watched Face's matches before? Have you ever watched a wrestling match? Finishers win. Nothing else wins. All of his other moves never get a three count."

Heel Ally: "What if he rolls you up and gets a surprise three count before I have time to come out?"

Heel: "..."

Heel: "Shut up and do your job."

But what would really happen?

There's likely going to be a moment in the match where Face gets oh so close to hitting his finish, but Heel reverses at the last second. I'd expect Heel Ally to be halfway to the ring, then scurrying to the back before anyone notices. So doesn't really add up.

May 22, 2022 19:04:27 GMT RT said:

When a wrestler is literally dying on the floor but then springs up at a count of 9.5 to beat the count-out, they were just using every last second to rest and recover and weren't actually that hurt in the first place. It's an old trick that all wrestlers use and their opponents know it's coming but also use the extra time to rest and recover inside the ring. Like an unspoken agreement.

I say it's 70% your take & 30% mine. Which is, I actually believe there are times the wrestler on the outside is using his last bit of energy to beat the count

May 22, 2022 19:23:12 GMT Emperor said:

I've always wondered about the kayfabe explanations of planned heel interruptions. It happens all the time: Heel vs Face in an important match. Face is about to win, Heel Ally comes out and distracts the ref at the perfect time to save the match, Heel wins.

In kayfabe, how does Heel Ally know when to come out?

Maybe they plan it backstage.

Heel: "OK, here's what's going to happen. I'm going to beat Face on my own. But if it looks like I'm going to lose, which I won't, come out and distract the referee and I'll take care of the rest."

Heel Ally: "Sure, I got your back. How do I know if you're going to lose?"

Heel: "There's literally only one way I can lose. Face hits his finisher. Come on, have you watched Face's matches before? Have you ever watched a wrestling match? Finishers win. Nothing else wins. All of his other moves never get a three count."

Heel Ally: "What if he rolls you up and gets a surprise three count before I have time to come out?"

Heel: "..."

Heel: "Shut up and do your job."

But what would really happen?

There's likely going to be a moment in the match where Face gets oh so close to hitting his finish, but Heel reverses at the last second. I'd expect Heel Ally to be halfway to the ring, then scurrying to the back before anyone notices. So doesn't really add up.

This is like a bit Danhausen would do and I love it. He’s reassuring whoever he’s helping that he’ll show up at the right moment but he keeps underestimating the heel and having to slip away before the heel notices.

On the last day of wrestling school, you have a micro chip implanted. When you pass a certain scanner about 7.5 feet from the entrance in the gorilla position, it triggers a computer to play your entrance music. Certain devious wrestlers have hacked their micro chip to also make the arena lose power. This is why production trucks never plug into building power and always use their own generators so the cameras/commentary don't go out.

You're welcome. #TheWrestlingInsider

May 22, 2022 15:40:13 GMT Baker said:

May 20, 2022 21:56:34 GMT Strobe said:

Bonus points for an Underfaker kayfabe explanation that I am even remotely happy with.

Dibiase brought Undertaker in. Taker became a huge star. Yet Dibiase never really made any money off the Deadman. It was a rare bad deal from the Million Dollar Man's perspective.

With Taker now dead, Dibiase decided he was going to do it right this time. He went searching for a big guy he could make the new Taker. Found one. Spent lots of money on plastic surgery to make him look like the real Undertaker because that same plan worked so well the first time with Fake Hebner.

But why a Fake Taker? A combination of trolling the fans and piggybacking on the aura/intimidation factor created over the past 3+ years by real Taker.

But how does Faker no sell just like the real one? A combination of training and money. Dibiase and his henchmen worked Faker hard in training to make him tough. Dibiase also doled out big bucks every time Faker copied Taker's mannerisms, including those patented no sells.

TLDR: Dibiase was actually a hardcore Taker fanboy who wanted lightning to strike twice, and this time he planned on benefiting from it. And he would have gotten away with it too if not for that pesky Real Undertaker refusing to stay dead.

Definite bonus points here. Going the DiBiase money route and having the guy being able to block out the pain for the big payday.

Low Blow = Instant DQ
Atomic/Manhatten Drop = All good, play on.

That reminds me, I was going to ask in some thread why the atomic drop isn't a low blow. Here is the right place. Someone kayfabe that shit.

In kayfabe the atomic drop is supposed to target the tailbone rather than the low proboscis.

May 23, 2022 1:09:23 GMT 1RealSmartAlex said:

On the last day of wrestling school, you have a micro chip implanted. When you pass a certain scanner about 7.5 feet from the entrance in the gorilla position, it triggers a computer to play your entrance music. Certain devious wrestlers have hacked their micro chip to also make the arena lose power. This is why production trucks never plug into building power and always use their own generators so the cameras/commentary don't go out.

You're welcome. #TheWrestlingInsider

An official toy of this was made a few years ago, so I'm pretty sure you're 100% correct with this

May 24, 2022 13:13:45 GMT Baker said:

In kayfabe the atomic drop is supposed to target the tailbone rather than the low proboscis.

That's dull but plausible. At least plausible for the version where the wrestlers are facing in the same direction.

But the version where the wrestlers face each other (is that the reverse atomic drop?) - it looks like a low blow and is sold like a low blow 99% of the time. The best thing to do in kayfabe is to ban the move because it's so easy to "accidentally" low blow the opponent.

The Side Russian Leg Sweep anyone?

May 26, 2022 0:29:40 GMT kingoftheworld said:

The Side Russian Leg Sweep anyone?

When executed properly it lifts up your leg causing you to fall. The double russian leg sweep is particularly potent. Twas one of my favorite moves to take into couches. My brother and cousin were regular Armstrongs when it came to executing the dreaded double russian leg sweep. 

It’s King of the ring 95, I’m 11 or 12, I’ll fucking fight somebody back yard kimbo slice style that pro wrestling is real. So I’m like a 12 year old Dave Shultz waiting for somebody to fuck up. I know wrestling is legit because Dan Severn is German suplexing motherfuckers in the UFC and he’s NWA Champ, I’m willing to maintain that even though Mabel just beat the fucking Undertaker that some of the WWF matches are just rigged so they can push certain guys they like. Taker was screwed. Fuck this whole tournament, I’m out

May 24, 2022 12:50:49 GMT Emperor said:

That reminds me, I was going to ask in some thread why the atomic drop isn't a low blow. Here is the right place. Someone kayfabe that shit.

0:49

I feel like this move is the main offender, even if it’s a strike to the midsection his leg is still connecting with their groin.

May 26, 2022 0:49:36 GMT Baker said:

May 26, 2022 0:29:40 GMT kingoftheworld said:

The Side Russian Leg Sweep anyone?

When executed properly it lifts up your leg causing you to fall. The double russian leg sweep is particularly potent. Twas one of my favorite moves to take into couches. My brother and cousin were regular Armstrongs when it came to executing the dreaded double russian leg sweep. 

But both ‘fall’ from the same spot in the same position and the guy performing the move usually has his arm tucked behind the others head quite obviously. I suppose in the sense they are sweeping and dragging them with greater force than they are falling themselves?

In the same vein I hate when whoever delivers a Superplex doesn’t sell the impact too.

May 26, 2022 18:30:20 GMT kingoftheworld said:

But both ‘fall’ from the same spot in the same position and the guy performing the move usually has his arm tucked behind the others head quite obviously. I suppose in the sense they are sweeping and dragging them with greater force than they are falling themselves?

In the same vein I hate when whoever delivers a Superplex doesn’t sell the impact too.

OK you got me there. It's nearly the same bump. I could buy the guy getting russian leg sweeped being a little worse for wear but that's about it. Only exception is the Brad Armstrong style floatover into a pin since then you're rolling through the move. Everybody should have done it that way.

Well my favourite of all time Lita did it that way so there is that I guess 

Speaking of dumb wrestling moves...



What's the kayfabe explanation for this style of dropkick doing more damage to the recipient than to the giver? The giver takes an awful looking bump.

------------------

I suppose you could make the same argument for the regular missile dropkick.



But to me landing on your front on a missile dropkick doesn't look that bad (even though it probably is), compared to dropping down fast and hard on your back.

Why are there always weapons underneath a wrestling ring? If you don't want your wrestlers using weapons in a match, shouldn't someone be looking under there before the show starts? Who keeps stashing these things under the ring? Someone on the ring crew needs to be fired.

When you're doing a missile dropkick, you're carrying gravity, momentum, and all your weight in the minimal surface area of the bottoms of your feet or even your toes into the opponent's chest. When you hit the opponent, they absorb that momentum and you essentially transfer it. Plus, you push off of them and it halts your descent ever so slightly. That allows you to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the impact of landing on the mat. If you miss, you're carrying all of that momentum and force with you as you splat directly onto the canvas.

May 27, 2022 2:00:51 GMT RT said:

Why are there always weapons underneath a wrestling ring? If you don't want your wrestlers using weapons in a match, shouldn't someone be looking under there before the show starts? Who keeps stashing these things under the ring? Someone on the ring crew needs to be fired.

It’s hornswoggle’s home that people kept stealing chairs and various household items from

May 26, 2022 18:30:20 GMT kingoftheworld said:

May 26, 2022 0:49:36 GMT Baker said:

When executed properly it lifts up your leg causing you to fall. The double russian leg sweep is particularly potent. Twas one of my favorite moves to take into couches. My brother and cousin were regular Armstrongs when it came to executing the dreaded double russian leg sweep. 

But both ‘fall’ from the same spot in the same position and the guy performing the move usually has his arm tucked behind the others head quite obviously. I suppose in the sense they are sweeping and dragging them with greater force than they are falling themselves?

In the same vein I hate when whoever delivers a Superplex doesn’t sell the impact too.

I think the kayfabe logic is that when you are delivering a move, you are in control, know what is happening, can brace for impact and bring yourself down in a relatively controlled manner, whereas you are driving your opponent down. It is sort of like the punch that you don't see coming does the most damage, whereas one you see you can roll with.

With the Side Russian Leg Sweep, you should (in principle) be whipping your opponent down, snapping their neck and head back down into the canvas.

I agree that a Superplex is one of those moves that should still impact the deliverer a fair bit, even with that in control and bracing logic.

May 26, 2022 20:50:08 GMT Emperor said:

Speaking of dumb wrestling moves...



What's the kayfabe explanation for this style of dropkick doing more damage to the recipient than to the giver? The giver takes an awful looking bump.

------------------

I suppose you could make the same argument for the regular missile dropkick.



But to me landing on your front on a missile dropkick doesn't look that bad (even though it probably is), compared to dropping down fast and hard on your back.

I have never been a fan of the back bump dropkick landing. Even going for the idea that your landing is lesser than receiving a move off the top by kicking off your opponent and bracing, it still seems like a bad idea when there are less damaging landing options. The only argument I can see for it is if you think you can deliver a more devastating kick that way.

The worst offender I can think of is Manami Toyota, having had her back worked over for like 12 mins, doing one to the floor and being up seconds later.

Ok this is a great high

May 28, 2022 2:06:40 GMT 🤯 said:

Ok this is a great high

Never hit the like button quicker.