5 shocking stories from WWE's Golden Era

The Golden Era of wrestling earned its name by providing us epic moments that’ll last with us for a lifetime. The 70s and 80s were what many see as the era during which wrestling truly evolved into sports entertainment. Business was booming, tickets were selling, and wrestlers were receiving household name status.

However, even though it was an epic era, the Golden Era had its fair share of controversial stories behind the scenes. At the time, wrestling was clouded by allegations of infidelity, steroid use and alcohol abuse, these combinations have now provided us with shocking stories to re-tell.

Here are five shocking backstage stories from WWE’s Golden Era.

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#5 Rick Rude & Andre the Giant beat up Ultimate Warrior

Ultimate Warrior won 89% of his matches in the WWF

It’s a well-known fact that the Ultimate Warrior used to rub a lot of people up the wrong way back in the Golden Era. Besides his blatant refusal to put over other talents in the ring, Warrior had several run-ins with fellow workers backstage. Because of that animosity, as well as not putting people over, Warrior would straight up refuse to work with wrestlers he didn’t like.

One time, the legendary Rick Rude sternly warned Warrior that if he didn’t stop wrestling him so stiff, he’d beat him up. The Ultimate Warrior refused to listen and kept on hitting Rude in the ring, so when they got backstage, Rude slapped the living daylights out of him.

On another occasion, Bobby Heenan told Warrior to stop hitting Andre the Giant so stiffly with his running clothesline, Warrior once again refused to listen. So, one time during a house show, the Giant stuck his right hand up for Warrior to run into during a clothesline. The connection legitimately left Warrior dazed and loopy in the ring.

#4 Jake Roberts and Kevin Sullivan nearly die because of a prank

Jake Roberts made his WWF debut in 1986

It’s not a secret that wrestlers often get up to mischievous antics whilst travelling in between towns. Kevin Sullivan and Jake Roberts used to travel with their friend Jimmy Garvin, a man notoriously known for being alcohol-free. So, whilst he was driving, Sullivan and Roberts would be intoxicated, getting up to mischief.

One time as the trio made their way to the next show, as a prank, Sullivan and Roberts bought flour and eggs and threw the food at Garvin while he was driving. The mixture got so thick that at one point it got stuck underneath the driver’s pedals, forcing Garvin to pull into a local gas station.

#3 Haku bites a man's nose off

Haku made his WWF debut in 1986

Wrestling is a form of entertainment but the men who perform in the industry, are legitimately tough guys. Of course, we as fans know that wrestling is scripted, but we embrace the kayfabe nonetheless and respect the wrestlers accordingly. However, many casual viewers tend to try their luck with wrestlers out in public because of the 'fake' narrative.

One night at a bar in Baltimore, some fans approached Haku & Siva Afi and asked if they were the 'fake wrestlers' from the TV. Haku instantly saw red, grabbed the man and bit his nose off. The man's friends then stepped in and an all-out brawl broke loose, a brawl obviously won by Haku and Siva. Haku later admitted the rumour in an interview back in 2014.

#2 Randy Savage used to lock up Elizabeth

Randy Savage and Elizabeth were married for 8 years

As we know with all the drama that happened between Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan, the Macho Man was very protective of his wife Elizabeth. Of course, touring with professional wrestlers can always be a worrisome affair and the "Macho Man" was very aware of that.

So, when she wasn’t involved in TV segments, Macho Man would physically lock Elizabeth up in a room so no other wrestlers had access to her. Rumours even suggest that Randy would lose his rag at wrestlers just for looking at or talking to her.

#1 José Gonzalez stabs Bruiser Brody

Bruiser Brody was 41 years old when he died

In one of the more gruesome stories from the Golden Era, based on witness evidence, José Gonzalez stabbed Bruiser Brody. In the 1980s, Bruiser Brody toured with the WWF across the nation. Many felt the big man had a massive future in the business as his physique and charisma shone brightly in the ring. He was so popular that the WWF even took him on tour with them in the Puerto Rico territories, areas known to be tough for wrestling.

However, one night after one of those Puerto Rico shows, booker José Gonzalez asked to see Brody in the back. Shortly after, screams were heard, and wrestlers ran into the room and saw Brody with several stab wounds. Hall of Famer Tony Atlas claims to have seen José holding a knife at the scene. Brody was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, paramedics couldn’t save the life of Bruiser Brody.