“Controversy creates money” is a term that many people believe in in professional wrestling, but there are many variables to this theory. WWE had not planned for the names in question to become controversial figures inside and outside the squared circle. Most of WWE's history saw it as the best wrestling promotion in the world adding more stakes.
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The wrestlers tried their best to get to the top, with many abusing their power or refusing to give it up once they got there. Backstage minds also helped spark stories about the realities behind the scenes on this side of the industry. Each of the following names gained a reputation as the most controversial figures in WWE history.
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Brock Lesnar has been controversial at every stage of his career
Brock was never afraid to call people the wrong name
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'3'' | 286 pounds |
WWE's signing of Brock Lesnar as a top prospect in the early 2000s gave him the rookie dream of his dreams. Lesnar won the WWE Championship within months and was the main organizer for the entire two-year period. However, fans were shocked when Brock left after his contract ended.
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Lesnar's controversial exit helped him rebuild his reputation as a top UFC fighter. WWE brought Brock back about eight years after his departure. Lesnar used his increased influence to get a part-time job, provide major impetus, and gain the power to influence his own creativity at the expense of others.
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Randy Savage's confusing exit sparked controversy
Vince McMahon reportedly banned Savage's name from pitch ideas
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'2'' | 237 pounds | 1985-1994 |
History has shown that WWE will work with almost anyone again after ugly ends. Bret Hart, Kurt Angle and Bruno Sammartino achieved shocking success after bad blood. However a The former WWE writer claimed that Randy Savage was the only name banned from pitch ideas of a possible return.
Randy Savage was a respected and popular figure at the forefront of the Golden Era for many years. No one has ever confirmed why McMahon was so hostile towards Savage after his departure, but he never appeared in WWE again for the rest of his life.
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Nailz was the least influential name to attract controversy
Nailz is remembered for threatening Vince McMahon
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'5'' | 302 pounds | 1989-1992 |
Vince McMahon loves confrontation, but in one scenario with another wrestler, things escalated past the point of no return. Lower card act Nailz claimed he was owed a lot of money for his work at SummerSlam 1992.
An argument led to Nailz attacking McMahon until things fell apart between the two. Nailz never accomplished much after his release, but his actions ensured that he would always be remembered by old-school fans.
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The Ultimate Warrior has had several ugly exits from WWE
Warrior's WWE runs left a lot to be desired
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'2'' | 280 pounds |
Ultimate Warrior had one of the shortest main event appearances by a World Champion in WWE history. WWE expected Warrior to be the faces of the company alongside Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, but he began to show why he couldn't be trusted.
In three different terms, Warrior controversially left the company after trying to use his name value. Warrior missed shows, demanded extra money and was extremely hated in the locker room. His career collapsed faster than anyone could have predicted.
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CM Punk could fill a Royal Rumble match with enemies
Punk has worked to make peace since his return to WWE
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'2'' | 218 pounds |
CM Punk's WWE return in 2023 was an all-time shocking moment due to the volatile ending. Punk wasn't afraid to call out WWE while he worked there and regularly clashed with bosses Vince McMahon and Triple H.
Even in life after WWE, Punk found himself trashing the company when asked about his experiences there. Punk gained more enemies in AEW and saw his reign end worse than in WWE. The Miz, Sami Zayn and others want to make friends with punk I pointed out that he wanted to suppress it because he wanted to have a more positive experience with the end of his career.
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People hated Triple H because of his backstage power
“Reign Of Terror” features wrestlers and fans who question Triple H’s motives
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'4'' | 255 pounds | 1995-present |
Triple H was already controversial due to his association with The Kliq before dating Stephanie McMahon. However, things reached a new point when he entered into a relationship with Vince McMahon's daughter for the first time.
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Many wrestlers felt Triple H's infamous “Reign of Terror” dominated the world title picture between 2002 and 2005 was due in part to his creative influence. Names like CM Punk, Scott Steiner, Rob Van Dam and others have at various times felt that Triple H had a negative impact on their careers.
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Hulk Hogan was the first wrestler to abuse his influence
WWE had problems with Hogan several times after his epic success
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'7'' | 302 pounds |
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Without Hulk Hogan at the helm, the Golden Era for WWE likely won't achieve nearly the same level of success. However, Hogan was more than aware of this as he became the first major wrestler who loved to show off his powers behind the scenes.
WWE often did what Hogan wanted and changed his plans based on his demands before his departure. Hogan's return in the 2000s once again caused controversy when he asked for more money. WWE saw Hogan refuse to replace Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton and several others at various points over the course of a decade.
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“John Cena's Polarizing Reactions Introduced a New Character”
WWE's acceptance of Cena's fan hate actually made him a bigger star
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'0'' | 251 pounds | 2000-present |
Vince McMahon considered John Cena his new Hulk Hogan when he had him play the ultimate babyface hero after winning the WWE Championship. Fans didn't like that Cena lost some of his edge with the rap gimmick and appeal to his younger fan base.
Loud boos and chants of “Cena sucks” became a problem following Cena and continuing to grow each week. WWE eventually accepted this and called Cena a polarizing figure This thrilled fans on both sides. The idea that half the fans loved the face of the company and the other half hated it made for a loud atmosphere and big matches every time he wrestled.
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Vince McMahon became more controversial with each era
The chairman himself embodied the controversy
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'2'' | 248 pounds | 1969-2024 |
Few bosses in the world will be as controversial as Vince McMahon, who ran the WWE. McMahon became a controversial figure from the start of his rise to power as he targeted the territories. WWE changed wrestling and caused many companies to fail with Vince's aggressive approach.
“The Attitude Era” showcased McMahon’s wild nature with some crazy segments on screen. More stories have leaked about Vince making crazy decisions. Paul Heyman tells a story about how Vince told his son Shane to stab him with a knife if he wanted WWE represents everything about McMahon.
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Shawn Michaels was extremely controversial in the 1990s
No top star was as hated behind the scenes in the 90s as HBK
Height | Weight | Years in WWE |
6'1'' | 225 pounds |
As WWE pushed Shawn Michaels to the top, his ego grew during the New Generation era. Michaels didn't care about upsetting his colleagues with many controversial actions behind the stage. The Kliq, which formed as a backstage power group, saw many wrestlers despise Michaels and his friends.
Bret Hart and Michaels' personal problems led to fake resignations, backstage fights, shooting promos and the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Michaels returned in the 2000s a changed man to restore his reputation, but he doesn't shy away from his horrific actions in the 1990s.
