'%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)
Throughout WWE's iconic history, some of its popular storylines have blurred the lines between fiction and reality. As a form of entertainment, pro wrestling has always incorporated real-life elements into feuds.
Even when it comes to characters, WWE Superstars often exaggerate a certain aspect of their real personality on television.
When realism blends with kayfabe, it can often capture the audience's attention in the best way possible. Other times, a lot of fans can see right through the charade. Either way, the overlap between fiction and reality has created a lot of newsworthy moments in WWE history.
Let's take a look at five times when WWE used real-life incidents in storylines.
#5 The real-life animosity between Bret Hart and Vince McMahon was turned into a WWE storyline
The Montreal Screwjob remains one of the most discussed moments in the history of WWE.
To cut a long story short, at Survivor Series 1997, Bret Hart was forced to lose his world title against Shawn Michaels. The catch here was that Hart was unaware of the finish, and Vince McMahon secretly planned to carry out the title exchange instead. As Hart jumped over to WCW in the late 90s, it became evident that he had left Vince McMahon's promotion on a sour note.
The Montreal Screwjob led to several years of real-life beef between all parties involved. Eventually, the incident became so popular that it eventually turned into a fictional storyline in WWE.
In 2010, The Hitman returned to WWE in January for an episode of RAW. While Shawn and Bret resolved their differences on live television, Vince McMahon's beef with The Hitman transitioned into a kayfabe feud during the same episode.
In reality, McMahon had been on speaking terms with Hart for years before the latter's return to RAW. Their onscreen feud resulted in a No Holds Barred Match at WrestleMania 26, where The Hitman defeated the chairman and CEO of WWE.
The key players in The Montreal Screwjob don't intensely despise each other anymore, but the incident is still discussed by fans to this day.
Backstage politics always leads to interesting conversations on social media, but The Montreal Screwjob became popular before internet discussions went mainstream. As a result, it will always have a special place in WWE history.
#4 Jeff Hardy's substance abuse issues were mocked by Sheamus in WWE
Jeff Hardy's substance abuse issues have plagued him for years throughout his WWE and pro wrestling career. Those issues were highlighted in a controversial storyline in 2020.
It all began when Sheamus mocked Hardy's alcohol and drug issues on WWE SmackDown. The storyline took a major turn when The Celtic Warrior tried to frame Hardy for drunk-driving. In kayfabe, Hardy was arrested after he crashed his car into Elias during that segment. It was later revealed that he had passed the sobriety test and wasn't responsible for what happened to Elias.
Although The Charismatic Enigma was comfortable in doing the aforementioned storyline, it created a lot of controversy on social media. Sheamus and Hardy feuded for a while, and their storyline ended in a Bar Fight on WWE SmackDown. Hardy defeated Sheamus during the Bar Fight.
Interestingly, this wasn't the first time that WWE had chosen to bring up Jeff Hardy's substance abuse issues in a storyline. Back in 2009, CM Punk targeted Hardy with the latter's history of drug abuse as well.
In real life, Hardy has been on the road to recovery since late 2019. He has overcome a lot of challenges throughout his life, which is a commendable feat.
#3 Edge, Lita, and Matt Hardy's love triangle was turned into a WWE storyline
Edge and Matt Hardy's WWE feud was one of the most popular instances where the lines between fiction and reality were effectively blurred.
Matt Hardy had been in a real-life relationship with Lita since 1999. It was in 2005 when they split as Hardy realized that Lita was having an affair with Edge. WWE fans also became aware of the situation. As a result, Edge and Lita's onscreen pairing received a lot of backlash on WWE shows.
Somehow, this real-life love triangle transitioned into a kayfabe storyline soon after everyone became aware of what had happened. It was a classic move made by WWE to capitalize on the audience's strong reaction to the situation.
A few months later, their feud ended in a ladder match between Hardy and Edge. Edge was able to win the bout thanks to interference from Lita.
In an interview, Edge even said that he and Hardy used the backstage animosity between them to their advantage in the storyline. Over the years, all parties involved in the love triangle have managed to overcome their real-life differences as well.
#2 Charlotte Flair's deceased brother was mentioned by Paige in a controversial WWE segment
A major controversy occurred during the buildup to Paige and Charlotte Flair's WWE Divas Championship match at Survivor Series 2015.
Six days before their aforementioned clash, Charlotte and Paige were involved in a contract signing segment. When Charlotte brought up her deceased brother, Reid Flair, the segment took an uncomfortable turn.
Charlotte looked visibly emotional during the segment. When things got heated, Paige mentioned Reid in a controversial sentence:
"Your little baby brother, he didn’t have much fight in him, did he?"
Reid Flair passed away in 2013 due to a drug overdose. Some fans and critics thought that WWE's decision to carry forward with this segment was a bad move at the time.
Charlotte said in an interview that she found the social media backlash a bit surprising, even though it got people talking about the feud. Charlotte believed the angle was necessary to build some heat against Paige and develop sympathy for her own babyface character at the time.
WWE has included real deaths in storylines many times throughout history. However, the aforementioned example showed that regardless of the quality, not all such instances are wholeheartedly appreciated by the WWE Universe.
#1 Lacey Evans' real-life pregnancy news was turned into a surprising WWE storyline
Lacey Evans has been involved in a storyline with Charlotte and Ric Flair on WWE RAW. This angle took a strange turn on a recent episode of Monday Night RAW.
The entire feud is based on how Lacey has used The Nature Boy against Charlotte. The Sassy Southern Belle recently revealed that she couldn't fight Charlotte inside the ring as she was pregnant.
It was implied during the reveal that Ric Flair was the father. Of course, the Ric Flair aspect of the announcement only exists in kayfabe, but reports have indicated that Lacey Evans is legitimately pregnant.
Unlike several other entries on this list, Lacey Evans' pregnancy announcement came across as more silly than offensive. Some fans thought it was an entertaining moment, while others did not like the farcical tone of the segment.
Last year, Becky Lynch revealed that she was pregnant in a more emotional and serious moment. But it's safe to say that WWE did not want to opt for the same direction for a heel character like Lacey Evans.
Now, the big showdown between Lacey Evans and Charlotte Flair won't occur anytime soon. The Sassy Southern Belle's announcement has already become one of the most surprising moments of 2021.
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
