6 shocking moments that happened backstage in WWE

The Big Dog had some strong words for the Best in the World before Punk's departure from the WWE in early 2014.
The Big Dog had some strong words for the Best in the World before Punk's departure from the WWE in early 2014.

There is no job quite like working for WWE.

For many people, there's no sweeter feeling than walking out of work at the end of a long day, ready to relax and recuperate at home.

But with WWE, it is a 24/7 role, as once a show ends, wrestlers need to find time to travel to the next place, eat an appropriate meal, train, work out, plan their next match, and keep themselves entertained, as well as finding time to sleep.

With so much happening behind the curtain, there's no shortage of shocking moments.

Here are six shocking moments that happened backstage in the WWE.


#6 John Cena, fired?

The future world champion faced the chopping block in 2002 before his career was saved by then-GM Stephanie McMahon.
The future world champion faced the chopping block in 2002 before his career was saved by then-GM Stephanie McMahon.

He may be the biggest star in wrestling history, but there was a time where things weren’t too certain for John Cena.

Debuting in 2002 as the answer to Vince McMahon’s demand for Ruthless Aggression, Cena impressed in his debut match against Kurt Angle but wasn’t victorious.

In the months that followed, the future WWE Champion failed to dazzle in the ring, and with his bland look and non-existent promo time, it seemed that Cena’s days were numbered.

That was until Stephanie McMahon heard Cena rapping on the WWE tour bus, and was so impressed, she asked Big Match John to freestyle on SmackDown.

This completely saved Cena, who has admitted himself he would’ve been released, if not for Stephanie, with the freestyle skills Cena showed helping to transition him into his rapper gimmick.

Cena survived the year, won the WWE Championship in 2005, and the rest is history…

#5 Angle comes home

Angle returned to WWE in 2017 after over a decade away.
Angle returned to WWE in 2017 after over a decade away.

The return of Kurt Angle was a long time coming, with both Angle and the company seemingly burying all previous grudges formed in his 11-year absence.

But things were not always as good, as it was Kurt who first requested a return to the WWE, but after a stint in rehab, the company wanted nothing to do with him.

Fortunately, Angle persevered, and eventually got a call from Triple H, who said the company now did want the Olympian back but weren’t sure what role they’d have for him.

Visiting the WWE headquarters in Connecticut, Angle was rightly worried, as he had not seen McMahon since leaving due to drug issues in 2006.

But the second the two met, the Chairman embraced Angle like a long-lost son, with Kurt apologising for his past misdeeds, and helped lay the foundation for what would be Angle rightly entering the WWE Hall of Fame.

#4 The Big Dog sends a message to the Best in the World

Reigns battled Punk in one of the Chicago-Made star's last matches.
Reigns battled Punk in one of the Chicago-Made star's last matches.

Roman Reigns and CM Punk may both be former World Champions but have come from very different worlds.

Punk came up from the independent scene and was reportedly told he’d never make it in WWE, whilst Roman joined the company with a wealth of support and has become one of the WWE’s top stars.

A locker-room leader from his football days, Reigns has taken this role in WWE seriously, even kicking Enzo Amore out of the locker room, after the certified G became too unbearable to fellow Superstars.

But before he even entered the main event, the Big Dog knew there were big things ahead for him and has even admitted he told CM Punk that he would be the next locker-room leader, and would lead it better than he found it.

Harsh words for sure, but to be fair, there’s not too many Superstars with bad things to say about the Big Dog.

#3 Vince loves potty humor

Edge's wind proved hilarious for the Chairman of WWE.
Edge's wind proved hilarious for the Chairman of WWE.

Even though he’s a multi-billionaire and the owner of the company, Vince McMahon isn’t afraid to josh around with the Superstars who work for him, often with hilarious consequences.

And in one incident involving Edge, Christian and The Hurricane, the Boss showed his second love, behind pro wrestling, is potty humor.

According to the Rated-R Superstar, Edge had eaten a protein filled meal before hitting the road with Christian and Hurricane.

Now, some of you more knowledgeable fans may know what comes next, as the protein made Edge extreme gassy, and after blowing wind, stunk up the car so much that the Hurricane jumped out of the car to escape.

When Edge told the story to the Boss, McMahon found it hilarious, even joking with the Hurricane about just how deadly a Superstar’s butt can be.

He may be a multi-billionaire, but he’s still the same old Vince McMahon.

#2 The Nature Boy keeps his distance

The Nature Boy did not view women's wrestling highly when his daughter entered the industry.
The Nature Boy did not view women's wrestling highly when his daughter entered the industry.

Critics of Charlotte Flair have often said that she’s only in the position she is today, thanks to her Hall of Fame father, Ric Flair.

But what they probably don’t know, is that during the Queen’s early career, both Flairs kept their distance, with Charlotte revealing on Edge and Christian’s podcast that she would rarely talk to her father about anything wrestling, instead getting advice from trainers.

The former RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champion admitted that her father didn’t exactly view women’s wrestling highly during her early career, which only caused more friction between the two.

This all changed, however, when the Nature Boy saw his princess win the NXT Women’s Championship in 2014, and was overwhelmed with emotion.

With both Flairs in tears of joy, the friction between them dissolved, and the two-time WWE Hall of Famer has since gone on to become his daughter’s biggest fan.

#1 Orton gets caught on tape

Orton found himself in hat water early in his career.
Orton found himself in hat water early in his career.

Randy Orton may be one of the most recognisable stars in WWE history, but things weren’t always as good for the Apex Predator.

Joining OVW in 2001, Orton had the wrestling business in his blood, being the son of Cowboy Bob Orton, and the grandson of Bob Orton Sr.

But despite this pedigree, the future Legend Killer was not sold on the business, with Jim Cornette once revealing a time when Orton was in OVW, he said he was only going to the developmental brand for the money and had no intentions on becoming a Superstar.

Little did Orton know, was that the entire rant had been recorded, and was later shown to several backstage officials.

After a meeting with higher-ups and a $750 fine, the issues were resolved, and Orton quickly learned something about respecting the business, before becoming a 13-time World Champion

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