In life; mysteries and uncertainty can be beautiful things. Both of these things can lead to new opportunities, new relationships, a change in your life for the better or worse but hey; that’s the rush of life.
However, when using these two things in a narrative structure, there must always be a conclusion. Very rarely does ambiguity within storytelling lead to anything other than fan/viewer confusion, displeasure or anger and, when it doesn’t do these things, it’s because the story was so perfect that an uncertain ending is a natural conclusion. So let me discuss five professional wrestling storylines that, due to their unsolved nature, led fans to despair at their screens and scratch their heads as to where it all went wrong.
5. Who attacked Hideo Itami?
When NXT fans were watching the ‘Who attacked Aleister Black?’ angle that took over our black and gold screens throughout the duration of summer 2017, everyone collectively sighed slightly as they caught a glimpse of what could have been two years previously with one of the biggest signings NXT had made to that point; Hideo Itami. Take yourself back to NXT Takeover: Unstoppable. Before the show, we were all getting ready to watch Hideo Itami vs Tyler Breeze vs Finn Balor in a number one contender match for the NXT Championship. Sadly, the man now known again as KENTA was forced to be removed from the match-up due to a legitimate shoulder injury so was written off
It was heavily hinted that the attacker was the then-new superstar, Kevin Owens as he walked passed the incident saying; ‘…ah, that’s a shame’. So, for the next few weeks, we all tuned in; waiting for that moment Hideo Itami would return to face off against the man who put him on the shelf and then…nothing. Ever. It was literally never referenced again. Why!? Who did it? Why did said person do it? Was it Balor after using Hideo to get into that position of power within NXT? Was it truly Owens as he wanted to demolish anyone who stood in his way? Was it the backstage interviewer, Renee Young, who wanted to just get involved? The fact that all these options are valid is sickening.
4. Who threw the pie in Kevin Owens’ face?
Sticking with Big Kev, this one isn’t as serious in terms of a ‘legitimate injury’ or anything like that, it’s just a weird one. Cast your minds back to the 4th of July 2016 and WWE held their weird, annual, for no reason FOURTH OF JULY FOOD PARTY/FOOD FIGHT. It involved several hundred wrestlers but, for a change, it featured someone showing a bit of intelligence. Kevin Owens emerged from the ruckus completely unscathed with no food on his person,
Yes I know, it’s just a silly joke segment but…especially at the time, Kevin Owens’ character was a vindictive heel who would go through anyone who even looked at him wrong. Now, a mystery person had just humiliated him in front of the world and we don’t even get to find out who it was. Why?!
3. How is Braun Strowman alive?
At TLC 2017, fans in the arena and the millions around the world watching became witnesses in an actual murder of a human being. Braun Strowman was chucked into a garbage truck, that destroyed everything in it, and was gone for a week. And no-one bats an eyelid. How? I know he’s a monster, right. I get it. I’ve seen many people get those hands. BUT HE’S STILL A PHYSICAL BEING. He should have, at the very least, had a scratch on him. And then he turned up in said truck a week later to destroy all those who committed a heinous crime against him. It’s mental…and he still lost to Brock Lesnar with a single F5. Haha.
2. Why did The Nexus help Kane?
I don’t want to think about The Nexus. One of the biggest failings in the history of WWE; taking a white hot angle that could have changed the course of professional wrestling in the wider eye of society and just…killing it with a mix of terrible booking decisions and other ‘alleged backstage things’. But one of the often overlooked moments of the up-start’s run is the aspect of their apparent blind loyalty to the Devil’s Favourite Demon.
Kane was in one of his multiple underwhelming feuds with his kayfabe half brother and the Nexus just…randomly found themselves involved. They buried the phenom alive which allowed Kane to succeed whilst also attacking Taker before he faced off against Bret Hart on an episode of RAW in 2010 (yes, that’s not a fever dream, look it up). Why was this group of mercenary’s helping a demon? At one point, David Otunga threatened leader Wade Barrett with the line; ‘If you don’t do what I say, I’ll tell them all why we attacked Taker’. AND THEN IT WAS NEVER REFERENCED AGAIN.
1. What was that lock-box about?
Remember the wonderful days of early 2016 when Shane McMahon returned and everyone was universally delighted? What a forgotten time. The prodigal son had returned and he had a goal; to take control of Monday Night RAW. His dad just laughed at him. Because of course, why would he; Vincent Kennedy McMahon, listen to the son he had always rejected? A mystery lock-box, that’s why! Shane threatened Vince with the ‘contents of a lock-box’ and it made Vince put up his most successful property in a match.
And then, even though Shane lost, it was never even mentioned in passing again. Not by Shane, or Vince, or Stephanie, or even pissing Hornswoggle- NO-ONE MENTIONED IT. Ever. It could have reshaped the entire landscape of World Wrestling Entertainment so it was clearly something very important and life-altering. Can you just tell me? PLEASE!
If you liked this article, please check out more of our stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can find me on Twitter @McIverTheMark. Thanks for reading!