10 Wrestling Angles That Hilariously Backfired On The Wrestlers.
By Edtrader Oct. 1st, 2022
In professional wrestling there's more than the in-ring sport. There is mic time, antics, gimmicks, and storylines to make you want to pay to see it. In some cases, these match elements hilariously backfired on the talent.
In professional wrestling there's more than the in-ring sport. There is mic time, antics, gimmicks, and storylines to make you want to pay to see it. In some cases, these match elements hilariously backfired on the talent.
#10. Arn Anderson's outta there.
In 1992, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton were to take on a young Dustin Rhodes and Rickey Steamboat. The storyline was that Dustin wasn't as good as he thought he was. Arn was to take the kid to the limit. Except Arn didn't know he took it too far. Dustin became so tired and out of it for real that he started crying and yelling in the ring. It freaked Arn out to the point where he had to tag his partner and get out of there.
Arn would be brought into the ECW right after Paul Heyman took over. Paul had been a manager in the WCW and was friends with Arn. So Arn and Bobby Eaton were brought in to add some star power to a few shows. ECW had begun the transition from Eastern Championship Wrestling to Extreme Championship Wrestling. So younger talent was taking the brawling style to the extreme. Exciting, fast, and violent.
As Arn explained it, the wrestlers had been fighting all over the place, through tables, and everything else. Arn, being a submission wrestler, grabbed his opponent in a headlock and held him to the mat. The crowd went dead silent. It was dead air for a few moments, and the ref started looking at Arn. Arn said he didn't know if he was expected to outdo the other guys. But he just responded back to the ref, saying that he's just passing through.
In 1992, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton were to take on a young Dustin Rhodes and Rickey Steamboat. The storyline was that Dustin wasn't as good as he thought he was. Arn was to take the kid to the limit. Except Arn didn't know he took it too far. Dustin became so tired and out of it for real that he started crying and yelling in the ring. It freaked Arn out to the point where he had to tag his partner and get out of there.
Arn would be brought into the ECW right after Paul Heyman took over. Paul had been a manager in the WCW and was friends with Arn. So Arn and Bobby Eaton were brought in to add some star power to a few shows. ECW had begun the transition from Eastern Championship Wrestling to Extreme Championship Wrestling. So younger talent was taking the brawling style to the extreme. Exciting, fast, and violent.
As Arn explained it, the wrestlers had been fighting all over the place, through tables, and everything else. Arn, being a submission wrestler, grabbed his opponent in a headlock and held him to the mat. The crowd went dead silent. It was dead air for a few moments, and the ref started looking at Arn. Arn said he didn't know if he was expected to outdo the other guys. But he just responded back to the ref, saying that he's just passing through.
#9. On the loose.
Jake 'The Snake' Roberts brings to the ring, as part of his gimmick, a pet snake. And not a little grass snake, but pythons. What could go wrong with this? The snake loved the warm water of the showers. So, Jake one night left the snake alone in one of them. He wasn't paying close attention, so the snake was on its own. Well, the snake crawled up the shower and accidentally got around the hot water nozzle.
It continued to crawl up the shower and was turning the water hotter and hotter. Until the snake got too hot and burst out of the showers. Now all these wrestlers were either naked or wearing towels. When all of a sudden, they start jumping around like schoolgirls that saw a mouse. Jumping on top of each other, on top of the lockers, and squeezing out the door. Jake calmly walks over and carries his snake out of everyone's way.
It continued to crawl up the shower and was turning the water hotter and hotter. Until the snake got too hot and burst out of the showers. Now all these wrestlers were either naked or wearing towels. When all of a sudden, they start jumping around like schoolgirls that saw a mouse. Jumping on top of each other, on top of the lockers, and squeezing out the door. Jake calmly walks over and carries his snake out of everyone's way.
8. Thought she was a woman.
One of the NWA wrestlers, Barbarian, caught sight of this new girl. Saying she sure looks good. He's thinking it's time to get some of that. But Jim Cornette has to tell him something. That woman he's lusting over is Ronnie Garvin in drag! Dusty Rhodes had a brilliant idea for Starrcade. "We are going to dress up Ronnie Garvin as a woman with huge tits". That is hilarity for laughter's sake. But this was an unexpected consequence. O, the gimmick worked alright.
One of the NWA wrestlers, Barbarian, caught sight of this new girl. Saying she sure looks good. He's thinking it's time to get some of that. But Jim Cornette has to tell him something. That woman he's lusting over is Ronnie Garvin in drag! Dusty Rhodes had a brilliant idea for Starrcade. "We are going to dress up Ronnie Garvin as a woman with huge tits". That is hilarity for laughter's sake. But this was an unexpected consequence. O, the gimmick worked alright.
#7 Jim Duggan 2x4 head.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan is a fan favorite who owes his fame in part to his gimmick 2x4 board. However, his 2x4 would be best remembered in this way. Jim comes down to the ring like he always does. He decides to throw the 2x4 into the air and catch it. HOOOOOO crack. He miscalculated the speed of the 2x4. And it just nails him between the eyes. Cracked him open, but the match must continue.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan is a fan favorite who owes his fame in part to his gimmick 2x4 board. However, his 2x4 would be best remembered in this way. Jim comes down to the ring like he always does. He decides to throw the 2x4 into the air and catch it. HOOOOOO crack. He miscalculated the speed of the 2x4. And it just nails him between the eyes. Cracked him open, but the match must continue.
#6. Hogan's burned idea.
It was Halloween Havoc 1998, pay per view. One of the featured matches was Hollywood Hogan vs. The Warrior. To spice up the match, Hogan was to pull some flash paper from his trunks. And he was to burn The Warrior's eyes. And The Warrior was to make this fighting come back. That didn't happen, as Hogan couldn't get it lit. When he finally did, it just blew in his face and burned his eyelashes off. The announcers went silent over the event. It was dead air in the ring and on the commentary.
It was Halloween Havoc 1998, pay per view. One of the featured matches was Hollywood Hogan vs. The Warrior. To spice up the match, Hogan was to pull some flash paper from his trunks. And he was to burn The Warrior's eyes. And The Warrior was to make this fighting come back. That didn't happen, as Hogan couldn't get it lit. When he finally did, it just blew in his face and burned his eyelashes off. The announcers went silent over the event. It was dead air in the ring and on the commentary.
#5. Roddy Piper under fire and half back.
Ric and Roddy.
Roddy Piper was Ric Flair's guest for his shows in Trinidad and surrounding areas. Ric was defending the NWA world heavyweight title against the local hero Jack Vernendo. A guy who was small and skinny. But a hero to the area none the less. Ric said the match wasn't going all that well. So, he told Piper to grab the guy's leg. So, Ric could cheat and get some heat.
Which Roddy did gleefully. And as soon as he did, guns were pointing at his head. The local security didn't get that this was a wrestling show. They thought this was all real. And that this guy just assaulted the hero. The crowd, too, didn't know wrestling was fake. So, the crowd joined in on the action. Piper got a chair to hold over his head. Or he would have gotten killed.
One of the wrestlers was able to make his way through the crowd and pull Ric and Roddy to the back. Of course their watches and valuables were gone from the dressing room by this point. But the crowd continued to go crazy. Throwing rocks through the roof top in the dressing room. Ric and Roddy were hiding out in the corner. Roddy looks at Ric, then asks him if he cares for a drink. Roddy said he almost killed Ric after that comment.
Half black.
Piper had to add some spark to his match against Bad News Brown at Wrestlemania 6. So, he just painted himself half black. Admitting he had no idea where the storyline was going for that. But he did this for the interviews and for the match as well.
He had a chemical company make this paint that wouldn't come off without this solution. The makeup lady backstage started to rub it off his face. She rubs and rubs until Piper starts bleeding. Andre The Giant lets it be known that he poured the solution out. And replaced it with plain water. So, Piper had to fly home half-black. Going through customs with everyone looking at him.
On the plane, he was so pissed over this. The flight attendant told him that the giant Mickey Mouse doll (for his daughter) had to be tucked in his luggage. Piper put Mickey in the next seat and buckled it in. And told the attendant to buy Mickey a first-class ticket. Once home, it took him three weeks of showers and saunas to get the stuff off.
Ric and Roddy.
Roddy Piper was Ric Flair's guest for his shows in Trinidad and surrounding areas. Ric was defending the NWA world heavyweight title against the local hero Jack Vernendo. A guy who was small and skinny. But a hero to the area none the less. Ric said the match wasn't going all that well. So, he told Piper to grab the guy's leg. So, Ric could cheat and get some heat.
Which Roddy did gleefully. And as soon as he did, guns were pointing at his head. The local security didn't get that this was a wrestling show. They thought this was all real. And that this guy just assaulted the hero. The crowd, too, didn't know wrestling was fake. So, the crowd joined in on the action. Piper got a chair to hold over his head. Or he would have gotten killed.
One of the wrestlers was able to make his way through the crowd and pull Ric and Roddy to the back. Of course their watches and valuables were gone from the dressing room by this point. But the crowd continued to go crazy. Throwing rocks through the roof top in the dressing room. Ric and Roddy were hiding out in the corner. Roddy looks at Ric, then asks him if he cares for a drink. Roddy said he almost killed Ric after that comment.
Half black.
Piper had to add some spark to his match against Bad News Brown at Wrestlemania 6. So, he just painted himself half black. Admitting he had no idea where the storyline was going for that. But he did this for the interviews and for the match as well.
He had a chemical company make this paint that wouldn't come off without this solution. The makeup lady backstage started to rub it off his face. She rubs and rubs until Piper starts bleeding. Andre The Giant lets it be known that he poured the solution out. And replaced it with plain water. So, Piper had to fly home half-black. Going through customs with everyone looking at him.
On the plane, he was so pissed over this. The flight attendant told him that the giant Mickey Mouse doll (for his daughter) had to be tucked in his luggage. Piper put Mickey in the next seat and buckled it in. And told the attendant to buy Mickey a first-class ticket. Once home, it took him three weeks of showers and saunas to get the stuff off.
#4. Jim Cornette's knees.
In 1986, NWA's Starrcade had The Road Warriors vs the Midnite Express. With the Express's manager, Jim Cornette, and his bodyguard, Big Bubba, to the side. To add some power to the match, it was decided that they should battle 20 feet up in a scaffold match.
It was set up so that Jim Cornette would be chased up the rig. With a Road Warrior at each end. The only way he could get away was to fall from the scaffold. Which Big Bubba was to catch him and break his fall. So, Jim Cornette grabbed a bar under the thing and held on for a few moments. So Big Bubba could see him and prepare.
Jim lets go, and Big Bubba wasn't on the ball. He just fell like a rock. He landed on his feet and blew out both of his knees. Road Warrior Animal said that seeing this from the scaffold had him laughing his butt off. Keeping in character, Jim was calling for Big Bubba to carry him out of the ring. Jim was speaking in his high but snotty voice.
Big Bubba is stunned and looking around like an idiot. Jim, again in character, tells him to carry him. Finally, Jim broke character and told Bubba in a bold and straight voice "Bubba, get me the 'F' word' out of here". Jim had to have knee surgery and still has problems to this day. But he was famous for years as that spot ran on ads for the TBS wrestling show.
In 1986, NWA's Starrcade had The Road Warriors vs the Midnite Express. With the Express's manager, Jim Cornette, and his bodyguard, Big Bubba, to the side. To add some power to the match, it was decided that they should battle 20 feet up in a scaffold match.
It was set up so that Jim Cornette would be chased up the rig. With a Road Warrior at each end. The only way he could get away was to fall from the scaffold. Which Big Bubba was to catch him and break his fall. So, Jim Cornette grabbed a bar under the thing and held on for a few moments. So Big Bubba could see him and prepare.
Jim lets go, and Big Bubba wasn't on the ball. He just fell like a rock. He landed on his feet and blew out both of his knees. Road Warrior Animal said that seeing this from the scaffold had him laughing his butt off. Keeping in character, Jim was calling for Big Bubba to carry him out of the ring. Jim was speaking in his high but snotty voice.
Big Bubba is stunned and looking around like an idiot. Jim, again in character, tells him to carry him. Finally, Jim broke character and told Bubba in a bold and straight voice "Bubba, get me the 'F' word' out of here". Jim had to have knee surgery and still has problems to this day. But he was famous for years as that spot ran on ads for the TBS wrestling show.
#3. Kevin Greene's green.
All pro football player Kevin Greene was brought in for a match with Ric Flair and Roddy Piper against Kevin Nash, Syxx, and Scott Hall. Trash talking to pick up the heat became Scott Hall calling Kevin Greene 'rookie'. In wrestling terms that stands for someone that is new and had very little experience. It's a common term that doesn't mean anything negative.
But Kevin Greene got just a little pissed over being called that. Backstage he corners Ric Flair very amped and ready to pounce. Saying Ric Flair my friend was he having a go at me. If he was, I'm gonna kick his ass. Ric is steadily trying to calm him down. Telling him it's OK it's not bad. But Kevin's fire was still lit, and it took a while before he relaxed. Ric says in his shoot interview that Kevin Greene was a tough guy that would have whipped both Nash and Hall.
All pro football player Kevin Greene was brought in for a match with Ric Flair and Roddy Piper against Kevin Nash, Syxx, and Scott Hall. Trash talking to pick up the heat became Scott Hall calling Kevin Greene 'rookie'. In wrestling terms that stands for someone that is new and had very little experience. It's a common term that doesn't mean anything negative.
But Kevin Greene got just a little pissed over being called that. Backstage he corners Ric Flair very amped and ready to pounce. Saying Ric Flair my friend was he having a go at me. If he was, I'm gonna kick his ass. Ric is steadily trying to calm him down. Telling him it's OK it's not bad. But Kevin's fire was still lit, and it took a while before he relaxed. Ric says in his shoot interview that Kevin Greene was a tough guy that would have whipped both Nash and Hall.
#2. Mr. T and the chicken.
Mr. T was brought in to help power the first Wrestlemania. Cynda Lauper, MTV, NBC, what more could a huge event want? It needed some of the classic press conferences that are still used in fighting sports. So, in a press conference promoting the match, he and Hulk Hogan were out in L.A.
Mr. T decided to dress in a kilt. Saying that Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff were chickens. Then he takes a rubber chicken. And with all of his might, he tries to rip the chicken's head off. With this being rubber, it doesn't rip. There are a few moments of what you could call dead air as he continues to try. Crickets could have chirped if this was outside. Really slowed down the momentum of the conference. Instead, it slips and nails Mr. T in the face. Then he just throws it down.
When it comes to the match, you can see Mr. T all out of breath. As Piper told it, that Mr. T wanted to just come in and bump Pipers and Orndorff's heads together and be the hero. Piper wasn't having any of that. So, Mr. T was made to actually work. Leaving Mr. T with just enough wind power to tag Hulk Hogan.
Mr. T was brought in to help power the first Wrestlemania. Cynda Lauper, MTV, NBC, what more could a huge event want? It needed some of the classic press conferences that are still used in fighting sports. So, in a press conference promoting the match, he and Hulk Hogan were out in L.A.
Mr. T decided to dress in a kilt. Saying that Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff were chickens. Then he takes a rubber chicken. And with all of his might, he tries to rip the chicken's head off. With this being rubber, it doesn't rip. There are a few moments of what you could call dead air as he continues to try. Crickets could have chirped if this was outside. Really slowed down the momentum of the conference. Instead, it slips and nails Mr. T in the face. Then he just throws it down.
When it comes to the match, you can see Mr. T all out of breath. As Piper told it, that Mr. T wanted to just come in and bump Pipers and Orndorff's heads together and be the hero. Piper wasn't having any of that. So, Mr. T was made to actually work. Leaving Mr. T with just enough wind power to tag Hulk Hogan.
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#1. Booker T.
On an episode of WCW Nitro in 2000, It was Booker T's turn to be the star of the show. Being only the second black man to win any wrestling heavyweight world title. It was a wooden box at each corner match. The boxes were on poles, so the wrestlers had to stand on the top ropes and reach for them. One box had the title belt. While the others had a secret weapon. It started as Booker T and Jeff Jarrett hit the ropes, and one of the boxes just fell off. You can see Jeff pause and do a double-take at it. Another box had a framed picture of Scott Hall. But at the end, Booker T grabbed for the winning box. He barely touched it, and the bottom fell out. The world title belt just went 'plop' to the ground. The box was so shi*tingly constructed. Leaving Booker T empty-handed. Instead of his moment in the spotlight holding up the belt like a hero, he is just standing on the ropes with the belt on the ground. And the crowd was in laughter instead of cheering. Tony Schiavone, even when commenting, pauses and has to change what he says. |