5 WWE matches that were affected by real-life events

With its colorful characters and ongoing storylines, it seems the WWE exists in some sort of bubble.

After all, I can't think of many places in reality where an undead mortician and his demonic, psychologically scarred younger brother can try and burn each other alive, and are surrounded by a horde of rabid fans.

But sometimes in WWE, the real world does break through, and some changes need to be made to the shows.

This can often be because of a shocking death, sudden news or even an international crisis.

Here are five matches in the WWE that were affected by real-life events, and what became of them.

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#5 Austin 3:16 is born at King of the Ring

Austin replaced the Game as the 1996 King of the Ring

Whilst it is now sadly retired, the King of the Ring tournament was once one of WWE's most trusted methods to making a new star, with names like Bret Hart, Edge, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar all donning the crown.

In 1996 though, a new star was about to emerge, and would win the King of the Ring, and become the next big star.

That man was not Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Instead, it was Triple H, who was scheduled to win the tournament and was to receive a big push in the coming months.

That all changed though when The Game (who had yet to receive that moniker) said goodbye to his friends Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in the now-infamous MSG incident.

Taking the blame, Triple H was quickly de-pushed, and instead, it was Stone Cold who won the tournament, last defeating Jake Roberts.

Mocking Roberts for his usage of Bible passages, the Rattlesnake told fans "Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your a**', and a new era dawned in wrestling.

#2 Chavo beats JBL in the main event

Chavo Guerrero faced John 'Bradshaw' Layfield in a special Eddie Guerrero tribute episode of SmackDown

Whilst his uncle Eddie had an incredible career in WWE, including a reign as World Champion, Chavo Guerrero was not as fortunate.

Often in his uncle's shadow, the younger Guerrero was rarely pushed by WWE, often being part of comedy feuds against the likes of Hornswoggle.

One moment of glory for Chavo did come in 2005, when he was booked in the main event of the Eddie tribute edition of SmackDown, against his uncle's former nemesis, JBL.

Refusing to be given the victory, the former WWE Champion lost to Chavo, in what must've been one of Guerrero's toughest matches.

Whilst it meant little in the weeks after, this victory over JBL provided a true moment of reflection for Chavo and the entire Guerrero family.

#3 The Montreal Screwjob

It would be over 12 years before Bret returned to WWE TV

The most famous example of real-life issues being brought on screen, the Montreal Screwjob is still a sore spot all these years later.

If somehow you don't know, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were in a bitter feud, both on-screen and in real life.

Informing the company that he was to leave following Survivor Series, the plan was for the Hitman to successfully defend his WWF Championship against Michaels, and relinquish it the next night on RAW.

At some point though, Vince McMahon's mind changed, possibly because he feared Hart would join WCW as the champion, just as Alundra Blayze had appeared in WCW as the WWF Women's Champion three years prior.

Mid-match, Michaels locked in the Sharpshooter, and the bell was rung. Michaels became champion, Hart was screwed, and wrestling was never the same.

#2 Puder pays the price at the 2005 Royal Rumble

Puder was punished in the Rumble match for hurting Kurt Angle

Daniel Puder may not be a name many are familiar with, but in 2004 he won the $1,000,000 Tough Enough challenge.

Not only winning a cool million (which Puder has since said never emerged), the young star also earned a WWE contract, and a spot in the 2005 Royal Rumble

Whilst no-one believed Puder was going to win the match, his chances weren't helped when he met Kurt Angle in a shoot fight in late 2004, getting into a hold that could've broke Angle's arm.

Instantly facing nuclear heat backstage, Puder's showing in the Rumble match was abysmal, as he entered early, got wailed on by Hardcore Holly and eliminated.

Funny thing though, the man he beat in the Tough Enough finals, well, he's quite the A-Lister on SmackDown Live.

#1 Kurt Angle wins the WWF Championship after 9/11

Unforgiven 2001 was the first WWE pay per view after 9/11

The September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 shook the U.S to its core.

Never before had American citizens felt so helpless and scared for their safety, feelings that were only matched by a sense of resolve and determination to help each other.

In the WWF at the time, the villainous Alliance leader Stone Cold Steve Austin was preparing to meet Kurt Angle, with the WWF Championship on the line.

In Angle's home-town no less, the Olympian's family were able to watch in glee as their boy won the WWF Championship, his first title win as a full-fledged babyface.

With 9/11 still in the minds of people, having Angle win the title helped show the American people that good guys could still win, even in those troubling times.