'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE may be scripted, but the risk these wrestlers take is very much real. They put their bodies on the line to entertain you - the fans - whether it’s jumping from the top rope or diving off the top of a caged structure, these athletes would go to any length just to ignite some sort of reaction from the fans. Though the PG era has mellowed down some of the violence, there are still many moments from the attitude era that are unforgettable due to the risk involved. The spots mentioned in this list are my opinion. If I have left out any spot, then please feel free to mention it in the comments section below.
Now, let’s take a look back at some of the most dangerous spots in WWE history:
#10 Shane McMahon crossbody off the top of the cage
While making this list, I was almost unsure whether to include this because there were so many dangerous spots to consider. The main reason why I considered this is because Shane had only participated in a few WWE matches prior to attempting this move. He was an amateur at this point in his career, and he pulled it off to perfection.
Shane-O-Mac interfered in this cage match between Test and some members of Mean Street Posse. He quickly climbed to the top of the cage and dived onto the members of the Mean Street Posse.
Shane McMahon surprised everyone on this night, and this was just the start of his daredevil journey in WWE.
#9 Bubba Ray Dudley powerbombs Mae Young
During their initial run with WWE, The Dudleys got off on powerbombing women through tables. It was very weird and perverted. It got weirder once they set their sights on the older crowd.
Mae Young was in her late 70s when WWE let Bubba Ray powerbomb her for the second time. This time she would be powerbombed off the entrance ramp and through a table. While Mae Young didn’t actually go through the table because Bubba took it out with his posterior, the move was still too dangerous to be performed on a 77-year-old woman.
I’m glad WWE don’t put their women through this shenanigans anymore.
#8 Big Boss Man gets hung
The Hell in a Cell match has produced so many memorable moments, but this one has been forgotten by many people. That’s probably because of how sickening and disgusting this moment was to watch.
This match took place at WrestleMania, and though it was an exciting contest, this match is remembered for its closing moments which saw the cell structure raised while The Big Boss Man was hanging from a noose.
I wonder who even considered this a good idea. Even in the attitude era, this would’ve been considered too extreme.
#7 Jeff Hardy Swanton Bomb
Just when you thought the Swanton bomb was getting stale, Jeff Hardy took it to a whole new level. By new level I mean he took it up to 30 or 40 feet.
This is the highest elevation of the move till date, and it also remains the most memorable. This incident took place on January 14th, 2008 edition of Monday Night RAW. Jeff Hardy nailed this move to perfection against Randy Orton. This was also the moment where Jeff Hardy became a bonafide star, so it’s pretty hard to forget this moment.
#6 Edge spears Foley through fire
In 2006, Edge was becoming a main event superstar, but Foley was ending his career. So, when these two men fought each other at WrestleMania, an absolute war broke out catching many fans off guard.
The ending of the match is still remembered by many. As Lita set a table on fire outside the ring, The Rated-R Superstar speared Foley from the apron onto the table engulfed in flames. This is a moved that could’ve gone wrong at any moment, but I’m glad both these legends were able to walk away unharmed.
#5 Brock Lesnar’s shooting star press
I think we can all agree that Brock Lesnar is one of the most gifted wrestlers to ever perform inside a WWE ring. So, when Brock was matched against Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 19, fans expected to see an epic encounter between two of the best in the business. The match did live up to expectations especially because the ending could’ve ended Brock Lesnar's career.
The ending saw ‘The Beast’ perform a botched shooting star press on Angle, landing on his neck, nearly paralyzing himself. It’s no surprise that we never saw him use the move again.
#4 Kurt Angle put Shane McMahon through glass
Shane McMahon’s street fight against Kurt Angle at King of the Ring 2001 is one of his best matches till date. This fantastic bout even made Shane-O-Mac look like a threat to the ‘Olympic Gold Medalist’. The match is remembered for one spot in particular.
Angle tried to suplex Shane through a glass pane, but the wrong glass was used, so it didn’t break. A gutsy Shane McMahon asked Angle to hit him again. This time, the glass shattered. This was an unnecessary risk that didn’t need to be taken.
#3.Shane McMahon puts it all on the line Vs. Big Show
This is one of the most dangerous stunts we have seem Shane pull off. It took place against Big Show in a last man standing at Backlash 2001.
During this match, Shane climbed up the top of the scaffolding of the entrance ramp and dived on the 7-foot giant in order to keep Show down for the 10 count. The stunt paid off as both men couldn’t answer the 10 count and the match ended in a draw.
This move must’ve taken some convincing backstage to pull off.
#2 Shane McMahon dives from the Hell in a Cell structure
Yet another Shane McMahon stunt is added to this list. That’s why he is one of the biggest daredevils in WWE history. Shane McMahon proved once again that he can still put his life on the line when he took on ‘The Deadman’ at WrestleMania 32.
Going into the match, fans were expecting to see Shane perform one death-defying stunt, and they got their wish as Shane climbed on top of the cell, and took a leap from the top of the structure, but crashed and burned this time as The Undertaker evaded his dive. Luckily, Shane left the match unharmed.
I still can’t believe WWE allowed this to take place especially in front of Shane's sons.
#1 Foley takes a dive from hell
This is widely regarded as one of the most famous spots in Wrestling history. Foley is called the ‘Hardcore Legend’ for a reason, and its evident from his famous 1998 clash against The Undertaker. This was just the second-ever Hell in a Cell match in history, and it produced one of the most memorable moments in the company’s history. As both men were fighting on top of the Cell, Undertaker suddenly threw Foley off the top of the Cell to the floor below. Surprisingly Foley still continued to fight in the match after this massive bump. He eventually lost the match, but left a permanent footprint in everyone’s mind.
