Even Jerry Spring cannot make this stuff up. One of the golden rules in professional wrestling has always been not to mix business with pleasure. As we all know, that is better said than done. These talents and employees off camera are together all the time, and relationships do develop. It’s the law of nature.
In some cases, it is just a train wreck waiting to happen. Some relationships turn to marriage and everyone is happy like Triple H and Stephanie McMahon and Booker T and Sharmell and of course Vince and Linda McMahon.
The McMahons are a story in and of themselves. When these relationships end, they tend to end badly, making reality television look like cartoons. In any event, they give fans and the tabloids something to talk about.
Here are five relationships that ended badly for one reason or another.
1- John Morrison and Malena
Talk about on again, off again. These two were closer than teeth in a zipper at times and then there were the persistent rumors of Malena being unfaithful to Morrison, which made for great gossip in the locker room and in wrestling tabloids.
Malena has been linked to both Batista, who The Animal swears they were just good friends in his autobiography, and to Mike Knox. The relationship also played a role in how management dealt with Morrison before he left WWE. As of now, Morrison has been working in Lucha Underground as Johnny Mundo and in the Asistencia Asesoría y Administración promotion.
2- Steve and Debra Austin
After her run in WCW with Jeff Jarrett, the former wife of Steve McMichael also became a hit in WWE, where she began a relationship with the Texas Rattlesnake. Austin’s popularity and his pull in the company helped his girlfriend become favorable amongst the management. The two would marry and even be part of storylines during the Attitude Era.
There was a domestic dispute a few years after the couple married. It is said that Police found Debra bruised and Austin was charged with domestic abuse. After the controversy, the couple divorced in 2002.
3- Lex Luger and Miss Elizabeth
Elizabeth and The Total Package began dating when the former wife of Randy Savage moved on to WCW. The relationship – which I did not know existed – was ripe with charges of domestic abuse. Luger was charged with a misdemeanor count of battery after allegedly striking Elizabeth which left her with bruised eyes and a bloody lip.
A few weeks after the charges were filed, Elizabeth died of an apparent overdose. Reports claim she had painkillers and vodka in her system. There has always been speculation that Luger had a role in her death, but it was never proven, even if Luger had suffered from drug abuse during their relationship.
4- Terri Runnels and Goldust
Dustin Rhodes played one of the greatest characters in wrestling history as the quirky, salacious and provocative Goldust with his real life wife by his side. It made for great theater, but it also made waves in the Rhodes family. According to many reports, Dusty Rhodes, Dustin’s father, did not approve of the relationship and the marriage, where he thought Runnels got married for the money.
The two would eventually divorce in 1999. Terri would stay with the company while Goldust was released, who eventually went back to WCW. Goldust has returned to WWE as his old character in tag team matches with his brother, Cody Rhodes and now with R-Truth.
5- CM Punk and Beth Phoenix
I guess you could say CM Punk got around in WWE before he left the company for good. He married AJ Lee once he left the promotion, but he has been linked to Lita, Maria Kanellis, Daffney and more. Punk was known as the Voice of the Voiceless, but his relationship with Phoenix, one of the most dominant female wrestlers during her time with the company, was anything but quiet.
The two dated for a couple of years before they broke up. Afterward, when asked about their relationship, Punk was not complimentary and called her a few choice words. Phoenix has since married Edge and they have two children.
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