Breaking kayfabe isn’t a norm in the WWE but it has often led to some of the most controversial incidents in sports entertainment. Some on this list did not create that much of a controversy. Some are hilarious. Some have changed the course of a few careers. There are a few people who appear twice and maybe thrice on this list. Given that HBK has been controversy’s favourite child, he appears the most here. It doesn’t happen often but when it does it is quite indelible, occasionally hilarious and sometimes cringe-worthy.
Here are 10 times wrestlers got visibly frustrated on WWE camera:
#10 Break him with a battery!
So, by now you must be well aware of Shawn Michaels’ reputation during the 90s. The man was the classic heel on and off screen. He was a controversial man.
So one fine day, HBK was doing a promo in front of a rabid audience with D-Generation X when suddenly he was hit by a battery. And Shawn Michaels without even giving it a second though walked out of there.
This was unexpected and one of the early occurrences of superstars getting visibly frustrated and breaking kayfabe on television.
#9 Mickie James vs Gail Kim
These were two of the best female wrestlers in the WWE at the time. Two divas who deserved better during their WWE run. But this match was awful. It wasn't like they had a match good enough to be better than many bad matches but they just plain and simple had one of the worst matches in history. Its disappointing because these two are really good inside a squared circle.
Mickie James is visibly upset about the work that was put in and she's appalled at what unravelled.
Even the commentators don't know what they witnessed.
#8 MOVE!
Okay, so Vader and HBK had a good match at Summerslam 1996 but there was this mini botch that got HBK tremendously angry. He was supposed to go for the elbow which he did and Vader was supposed to move out of the way which Vader did not.
That led to HBK standing on his two feet only to stomp on Vader’s head and scream at him to ‘Move’.
Michaels was quite a guy back then.
#7 Gail Kim walks out
Well, this is a blink and miss moment. Actually, nobody noticed backstage and later on, it was reported that Kim had asked for a release. Given that the division was breaking apart at the time, wrestlers like Kim and others weren’t really given much to do creatively. That led to her getting frustrated and leaving a Battle Royal midway.
At 0: 37 you’ll realize that something’s happened. The referee’s looking that way and we see somebody walking out. The commentators are confused and say that Kim has been eliminated.
#6 Orton's mad
This isn't the only time Orton will be featured on this list. Mr Kennedy botched a back suplex. He could have almost injured Orton or that is what it seemed like by Orton's reaction to the suplex. Orton swung his arm visibly hurting from that back suplex.
This may very well indicate the heat that Kennedy received backstage because he was immediately released.
#5 Orton again
Kofi Kingston was up for a major push or so it seemed in 2010. He was also scheduled to win the Money In The Bank PPV. He quickly got into a feud with Apex Predator Randy Orton. But one night on Raw towards the ending moments of the match Kingston botched a move.
We know that Kofi botched a move because Orton was visibly angry calling Kingston ‘stupid’ again and again. Also, he wasn’t happy after the victory. He even mouthed the F Word.
#4 Hogan hulks up
So, there was a misunderstanding between Vince Russo and Hulk Hogan. There was also a lawsuit after this event. Basically what was planned had not happened.
Jarrett just lay there waiting to get pinned which led Hogan to get flabbergasted.
Hogan took the mic and uttered that this is the reason why the company is in the state that it is right now(then).
That turned out to be a shoot, anyway. It would also mark Hogan's final appearance in WCW.
#3 Puder and Angle
Daniel Puder was the winner of Tough Enough and a former MMA fighter. His credentials are great but he was booked to lose to Angle clean and basically get squashed. But he didn’t have any of it. Instead he locked Angle in a Kimura and confusion reigned. Angle eventually some way pinned the rookie but he was visibly frustrated at Puder’s guts. Puder did not make it in the WWE after all.
#2 Lesnar Vs Holly
Brock Lesnar hasn’t had many controversial backstage fights. He hasn’t broken kayfabe much except this one time where he legitimately broke a wrestler’s neck.
In a match against Hardcore Holly, Lesnar was getting ready to pick Holly up for a Powerbomb when Holly sandbagged him. That enraged The Beast and he dropped Holly onto his neck, breaking it.
And then the young superstar stepped on Holly’s neck to show his frustration.
#1 The Montreal Screwjob
There is no incident as infamous and iconic in breaking kayfabe and showing anger and disappointment as much as this incident right here. Bret Hart was screwed of a booked finish by Vince McMahon because ‘The Hitman’ had signed with WCVW.
The ripples of this incident were felt for many years until everything reached a conclusion and everyone’s fine now.
But there is no WWE controversy heard around the world as this one.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
