Don’t tell me professional wrestling isn’t real! These performers put their lives on the line every night, attempting the unthinkable with the hope of entertaining the masses. While most of the chutzpah is predetermined, there is still a degree of reality that leaves us all in a state of shock and awe.
There is a reason WWE has placed a disclaimer on its programming for years – urging the fans to leave it to those who have rehearsed it and trained for such events. And even with the proper safety measures, most wrestlers cannot leave a match unscathed. From Kurt Angle and Steve Austin who have suffered neck injuries to Droz who is now paralyzed and some – including Owen Hart – who have died from their acts in and out of the squared circle, these moments prove just how real it gets.
Here are five of the scariest moments in WWE history.
5: Sid Vicious breaks his leg
In a match against Scott Steiner in WCW, Sycho Sid attempts a dropkick and lands awkwardly and breaks his leg. As he lies there, it is hard to believe the leg is just dangling. It is one of the most gruesome injuries ever caught on tape in a wrestling match.
4: Jim Ross being set on fire
Kane was at one time, the most evil villain on the planet. Not just in the wrestling ring, mind you. He would terrorize opponents left and right and not just performers. In this clip, no one appears to be immune as he sets announcer Jim Ross on fire.
Kane – back in 2003 – played heavily on his childhood as the reason for his actions – and the removal of the mask which hid his scars.
As you all know, Ross appeared at the announcer’s table many times and many years after the fact.
3: Undertaker throws Makind off the top of the Cell
When I think of near-death experiences, I think of this mainly because Mankind, or Mick Foley, almost took his own life in the match with Undertaker.
Foley was already known as a risk taker and someone who attempted the bizarre. In the match with ‘Taker, the Deadman took his opponent and threw him off the top of the cage onto the announcer’s table.
Jim Ross’s account of the match adds to what was an unbelievable moment. “As God is my witness, he is broken in half.”
2: Bray Wyatt’s choir
If you are looking for something taken out of a Stephen King novel, this is one of them.
The feud between Bray Wyatt and John Cena took on another meaning of odd. Wyatt, getting under the skin of Cena, making his doubt himself. The mind games and the message Wyatt sent – as he does with every opponent he faces.
The definition of odd took on a different meaning when the Wyatt Family paraded out of the back with children in tow, singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”
The scene gave me chills watching it.
1: Kane burns The Undertaker
I have seen wrestlers have fireballs thrown at them in the past, but this one was more dramatic. And a whole lot scarier.
Undertaker was the number one contender to the WWE Championship and was scheduled to challenge HBK at the Royal Rumble in a Casket Match in 1998. Kane would betray his brother during the match and with the help of Paul Bearer, proceeded to lock The Undertaker inside one of his famous caskets and then set it on fire.
Undertaker was able to escape from the back of the casket.
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