5 shocking backstage stories from WWE's Attitude Era

The WWE has always harboured some of the most bizarre personalities doing some of the strangest things, not only in the storylines but even in real-life. The Attitude Era was one such phase where reality and storyline often overlapped, owing to the changing nature of the business to pander to a more mature audience.

However, there have been quite a few backstage incidents (real life, mind you!) that have emerged out of WWE's sacred vaults. Here are 5 shocking backstage stories from WWE's Attitude Era:

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#1 X-Pac plants poop in Sable’s bag

Sable, in all her glory

X-Pac never found much success in the World Wrestling Entertainment, save his stint with D-generation X and a few sporadic appearances (only to incite the “nostalgia” factor for the most part) later on in his career, but he was always known for his extremely deplorable antics outside the ring.

One such repugnant act of his involved him relieving himself in one of his co-worker’s luggage. It was during the spring of 1999 when the Attitude Era was at its pinnacle and ratings were on an all-time high. Sable was one of the hottest properties in the business and undoubtedly had more charisma than the other divas in the business.

However, her relations with the company started deteriorating around that time, which led to her being stripped of the title. This culminated in her untimely departure from the business. On her last day with the WWE, Sean Waltman (X-Pac the hero of the “One Night In Chyna” feature film) put poop inside Sable’s bag. In a shoot interview later, Waltman claimed that he knew where Sable’s bag was hidden and compared the act to a “guerilla” mission.

This wasn’t the first time X-Pac resorted to his “poop” frolics. Reportedly, he once left his faeces in Mark Henry’s sandwich, which the latter actually ate. Grow up, 1-2-3 Kid!

#2 The JBL-Steve Blackman face-off

JBL was a bully to most superstars

Even Though, it isn’t exactly “backstage”, this story does deserve a mention for the shock value it packs-in. John Bradshaw Layfield, the name itself exudes an air of arrogance and scornful derision (sorry JBL). Throughout the years, John Layfield, aka Bradshaw, has been known to be a loud-mouth, trash-talking bully with numerous instances of his “vulgar displays of power” having created quite ugly stirs behind the scenes.

Let me take you back to the year 1998 when rumour has it that Bradshaw got embroiled in an ugly spat with fellow wrestler “The Lethal Weapon” Steve Blackman. According to an excerpt from Hardcore Holly’s book, both men were waiting at the Kansas City Airport. JBL was in a highly inebriated state and started patting Steve’s derriere.

The no-nonsense Blackman quickly snapped at him, saying that he was in no mood for pranks. But, Layfield, being his insolent self, paid no heed to his warning. What ensued was a barrage of jabs thrown at JBL’s face by Blackman.

John, in his drunken state, starting swinging wildly, missing with each hit. Blackman stepped back to land a kick on JBL’s knees but his leg got caught in a bag handle. That’s when timely intervention allowed Al Snow, Farooq and Bob Holly to separate the two men. Blackman was fuming, vowing to “kill” Layfield, but JBL later apologized to him in the hotel that they were staying in.

#3 Shawn Michaels faces The Undertaker’s wrath

HBK knew better than to mess with The Deadman

The aftermath of the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997 (which according to some, started the Attitude Era) had everyone riled up backstage, including the likes of Mick Foley (who threatened to hang his boots)! Another notable wrestler who was legitimately furious with Michaels being in cahoots with Vince was none other than The Undertaker.

Taker was sick of Shawn Michaels messing with the fortunes of the business and having betrayed the entire locker room. Come March 1998, it was time for the grandest stage of them all: WrestleMania XIV, where Michaels was all set to drop the title to Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Austin was one of the bustling new prospects on which the company had bestowed its unanimous faith. This was slated to be one of the most epochal title changes in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (Federation). Prior to WrestleMania 14, The Undertaker, the leader of the locker-room, decided to pay Shawn Michaels a visit and have a one-on-one word with The Heartbreak Kid to show him a lesson in humility.

Taker didn’t mince words, nor did he pull any punches (almost). He literally showed his taped-up fists to Michaels, telling him that he should do what’s required of him, otherwise he’d face the music. The match went without a hitch and Michaels didn’t dare resort to foul play, making Austin the champion.

#4 JBL’s shower-time fun

When Edge received a "warm" welcome from JBL

John Bradshaw Layfield always found himself amidst controversies. The tall, tough-looking renegade surely was a goon backstage and there are numerous stories supporting that. As legend states, Layfield would enter locker room showers and soap the newbies up! Preposterous, isn’t it?

Well, World Wrestling Entertainment is one funny place for sure, where even the unscripted moments are as bizarre as some of the storylines (Mae Young’s pregnancy for instance). This allegation was confirmed by none other than Adam Copeland, a.k.a. Edge, who stated that he was on the receiving end of a rear-end-caress in the shower during one of his early days in the WWE.

He turned around and, much to his surprise, the masseur turned out to be the 6-foot 6 inch Texan. Edge took it in a friendly way and continued joking around with Layfield. There were even claims of JBL sexually assaulting a wrestler in the showers, which were never confirmed, so they lack real merit.

#5 Bret Hart punched The Boss after Survivor Series 1997

Years later, Bret recreated that, as part of a storyline

Everyone knew what happened at Survivor Series 1997. What most people don’t know are the events that transpired backstage after Bret Hart had been screwed over at the behest of Vincent Kennedy McMahon.

Soon after the show, as Hart was changing to leave the arena, Vince stopped by and decided to confront the disgruntled superstar. Hart was in no mood for Vince’s pep talk and ordered him to get out.

However, Vinnie Mac being Vinnie Mac decided to put up a strong face in front of the entire locker room. It was at that precise moment that the Canadian lost it and decided to have a swing at McMahon, landing a strong punch that knocked Vince out cold!

Years later, in an interview, Hart said that his only regret was “not mopping the floor with Michaels and Triple H” right after the incident.

Hart went on to describe what happened in the locker room afterwards. As Hart was changing to leave, Vince came in to confront him (or, according to some, at least let Hart air his grievances). Hart instructed Vince to leave and, as he sees it, Vince being Vince wanted to look strong in front of his talent roster. “He’s a very macho kind of guy — he wanted to back me down in front of everybody in the dressing room and show that he was the boss and save face,” Hart said.

“But he put himself in that situation and I knocked him out.”

Hart said of the punch itself that while it was only a punch, it was the most beautiful thing in the world and that just thinking about it brings a smile to his face. Hart’s only regret? “I just maybe wish that I’d mopped the floor with Triple H and Shawn Michaels both at the same time right after. That would have been ideal.”

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