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WWE Superstars have to follow some very strict (and sometimes, weird) rules and regulations set by WWE and can be severely punished for violating them. WWE may even suspend them, or simply fine wrestlers and employees who break these rules.
Throughout WWE's history, several Superstars have found themselves guilty of violating one or more of these rules and Vince McMahon has not hesitated to hold them accountable for their mistakes. But what are these rules, you may ask?
Let's take a look at 10 things that WWE Superstars can get fined for. Be sure to comment below and let me know your thoughts on the same.
#10 Blading (without prior permission from WWE management)
Blading is a term in pro-wrestling which refers to a wrestler intentionally cutting themselves open with a blade to bleed during a match. It was a common practice in the pre-PG era of WWE as it was common to see WWE Superstars busted open with blood all over their faces to enhance the drama.
But once WWE went PG, bleeding on live TV became a no-no. Yet, Batista decided to take matters in his own hands during his steel cage match with Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship on RAW in 2008. After the match, which saw Batista bleed all over the place, both Superstars didn't get the appreciation from backstage officials which they were hoping for.
Vince McMahon was so furious that he went on to fine Batista a massive $100,000 for this incident. As revealed by The Animal on Talk is Jericho:
"Then he starts passing out fines. So my fine was $100,000…My heart dropped. I thought it would be like $25,000…When he said $100,000, I was just heartbroken. I literally think that he sucked the life out of me that day. I think that's the day that I knew things were never going to be the same."
#9 Bleeding on the ring canvas
While blading intentionally is wrong to some extent, WWE Superstars also get fined for accidentally bleeding on the ring canvas.
As revealed by former WWE Superstar Brodus Clay during an AMA on Reddit in 2015, during the ladder match between Christian and Alberto Del Rio at Extreme Rules 2011, he interfered but took a nasty shot from the ladder and quickly jumped outside to not spill blood on the ring canvas, thus saving himself from a $3,000 fine. Clay said:
"Took a ladder to the head and you get fined by wwe 3k if you bleed on the mat so i dove out the ring to save a dollar. "
With WWE being a physical sport, there have been several instances where WWE Superstars have actually been busted open, so this rule seems a bit weird, don't you think?
#8 Chair shot to the head in a WWE match
Much like blading, chair shots to the head were common in WWE once. But with the studies showing the massive impact that they have had on a WWE Superstar's skull and brain, leading to concussion issues, WWE had to ban chair shots to the head.
But Triple H and The Undertaker, during their incredible "No Holds Barred" WrestleMania 27 match, decided to go ahead with a spot that featured a chair shot to the head. WWE fined both the veteran Superstars for violating WWE's concussion policy. The amount was not disclosed but this proved how seriously the company takes this policy. WWE issued the following statement on the same:
"Pursuant to WWE's Concussion policy, the stunt of using a folded metal chair shot to the head is prohibited. Triple H and The Undertaker have both been fined for violating this policy at WrestleMania XXVII. WWE penalizes through fine and/or suspension for violation of this policy, which is unchanged and still in effect."
#7 Controversial comments
This is the most recent incident of WWE fining its Superstar. In 2018, several controversial comments made by Lars Sullivan between 2007 and 2013 resurfaced on the Internet. One of WWE's sponsors, Mars Wrigley noticed them, resulting in the sports entertainment giant taking action against Lars Sullivan.
According to Forbes, WWE fined Sullivan a massive $100,000 for his controversial comments and made him complete sensitivity training. The following was sent out via email:
"Dylan Miley (aka Lars Sullivan) will be fined $100,000 and required to complete sensitivity training for offensive commentary uncovered from his past. WWE will also facilitate meetings for Dylan with community organizations to foster further discussion around the power of social media and the impact of your words.”
WWE should be given credit for making their Superstars realize the impact their words can have.
#6 Touching the crowd
The empty-arena shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made everyone realize how important a live audience is for WWE shows. It is the WWE Universe that brings the energy into the segments, making the entire atmosphere electric!
But WWE Superstars have a strict guideline to not touch the crowd. WWE Superstar Mark Henry revealed the massive fine that a Superstar has to pay if they reach out into the crowd. While there have been some leeways to this rule, it is generally there for preventive measures. The World's Strongest Man stated:
“We’re not allowed to put our hands on nobody. $70,000 fine if you reach out into the crowd. You’re going to get fined.”
#5 Turning up late at a WWE show
Ever wondered what happens if a WWE Superstar shows up late for work? Well, Vince McMahon is known to be very strict about such things, and understandably so, as punctuality is something every organization wants from its employees.
As per a report from June 2014, WWE had a zero-tolerance policy for people arriving late on RAW or SmackDown.
Wrestlers were also told there is a zero tolerance rule in effect for showing up to Raw or Smackdown after the designated call time, which is usually 2pm eastern time for Raw and 2pm local time for Smackdown.
Former WWE/WWF Intercontinental and European Champion, D'Lo Brown appeared on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling Podcast and revealed an incident when he was fined for coming late. During a South Africa tour, Brown was 15 minutes late for the tour bus, which led to him getting handed a 10K fine - only that it was in South African Rands, amounting to around $10 at the time of the incident.
#4 Alcohol consumption before a show
As per WWE's "Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy", Superstars have to follow a strict no-alcohol policy when performing for the company.
WWE Talent are expected to be free of the influence of alcohol when performing for WWE. Accordingly, WWE Talent are prohibited from using or consuming alcohol at any time within a twelve hour period prior to any WWE event or WWE scheduled performance.
Stone Cold Steve Austin mentioned on his podcast that he used to drink real beer after his matches. But do you think he used to follow this strict no-alcohol policy before the match? I find it tough to believe!
#3 Violating WWE's Marijuana Policy
Much like the usage of Alcohol, WWE also has a strict punishment in place for the usage of Marijuana by the Superstars.
In the event of any positive test for marijuana, the WWE Talent shall be fined Two Thousand Five Hundred US Dollars ($2,500.00) per positive test, which shall be deducted from the WWE Talent’s downside guarantee.
Interestingly, the fine was previously $1,000 but the company decided to make it more severe after Brian Kendrick tested positive for Marijuana usage more than 12 times. The strict policy makes sense as the substance is illegal in many states.
#2 Not wearing a suit
Now, this is probably the weirdest reason for which WWE Superstars can get fined, but it is what it is. WWE has certain ideas of how its Superstars (not wrestlers) should present themselves in public, and one of them is by following a proper dress code. Basically, they are expected to be all suited up whenever they appear in front of fans.
There has been a relaxation to this rule lately, with WWE allowing their Superstars to wear casuals from Tapout, WWE's official fitness and training partner. But there have been several instances in the past of Superstars receiving fines for not following the dress code.
Road Warrior Animal was about to get into trouble for wearing jeans on an airplane. Recently, former WWE referee Marty Elias revealed that he was fired by WWE for violating the dress code.
#1 Friendly push to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon
This incident took place during Daniel Bryan's retirement segment in 2016 when the entire locker room, including the WWE Chairman, came out to cheer him. When everyone started making their way back after the segment, Titus O'Neil playfully grabbed Vince to allow Stephanie McMahon to exit first.
But it didn't go well with the Boss as he didn't like being held like that. Titus received a 60-day suspension (which was originally 90 days). Jim Ross later revealed on his blog that Titus was also fined $5,000 for this.
"I have heard that Titus was fined in the neighborhood of 5K for his conduct plus a 60 day suspension. One has to wonder if this punishment was also utilized to get the attention of the entire roster especially if some talents were thought to be becoming to lax in their approach to their job.”
It is safe to say that Titus, or anyone on the roster, would think twice before doing any such thing to Vince McMahon in the future!
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
