The Biggest Wrestlers Who Survived Scandal | Wrestling With Wregret

It's not uncommon for wrestlers to get into trouble now and then ... but not everyone suffers for long! Check out this list of wrestlers who have survived scandal with their careers largely intact!
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[@ConnorLockhartYGO]

Arn and Sid burying the hatchet after stabbing each other is the most wrestling thing to happen in wrestling history.

[@hyperchord]

They DID? I figured since its the one thing that's off limits for Arn on his podcast, they hadn't buried it yet

[@roberdink]

@@hyperchord They shook hands in a segment of Nitro in 1999

[@RockandrollNegro]

@@hyperchord Arn is sick of talking about it, so I'm sure that's why he doesn't want it brought up.

[@SteeleZack]

There is also a few years later in WCW, Vader and Mr. Wonderful beating each other up over Vader's refusal to do what is asked of him in his contract leading to Vader's departure from the company.

[@lanceturley7745]

I'd say the most wrestling thing to happen in wrestling history is William Lane dropping the charges against New Jack, after New Jack stabbed him repeatedly during a match, so they could turn it into a revenge angle and have more matches.

[@charlesshoffner4201]

That photo of Booker T ice grilling Hogan behind his back... * chef's kiss *

[@parttimenerd3706]

To be fair, Booker did call him the N word first. Dear fellow internet users this is sarcasm ok. Have a nice day.

[@ddjsoyenby]

booker t: well well well who's the hard r now hulk.

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854]

I'm amazed Booker is not on this list with his Wendy's robbery...

[@adamandanna]

@@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854 To be fair these were mostly scandals when they were in the industry. That happened before he got into wrestling

[@idkmynametho8391]

I’m pretty sure Booker T is on Hogans side too.

[@simcosimpai8471]

Honorable mention : Brian Zane continuing his KZbin career after failing to review All Out in time

[@trystinlindsay5674]

Should have been number 1 to be honest, it really shook the industry

[@hyperchord]

Contact Vice, this is the real scandal

[@jcace13]

I still can’t believe he’s getting away with it honestly.

[@Rhlgull1331]

Shocked and appalled that he only talked about after his vacation The pain! The pain of waiting shall never leave me!!

[@Piemanthe3rd]

How a man can keep his career after obviously booking their vacation to slight AEW is beyond me

[@EdBurke37]

I nearly cringed myself inside out at that "hard arrrrrs" joke. Well done.

[@willkayl8793]

It was gold…pure gold.

[@Bobcat205]

I audibly said “oh, come on…” after that.

[@Rellikvidz]

Glad he picked up something from his excursion to SCJerk

[@martinmortyry7444]

bRotheRRR

[@chickentank]

Incredible

[@theupliftchannel]

Surprised Moolah didn’t make at least honorable mention.

[@RobertJW]

It took a while, but karma caught up with her eventually.

[@JamesBartonva]

Her scandals didn't really became fully known til after her death

[@cherrypopscile3385]

To be fair, and understand this does not reflect my personal opinion of Moolah, there is still a lot of debate on if she actually did what shes accused of. Just as many girls who have accused her have said she was an amazing person.

[@MovieEggman]

That’s because She deserves a whole list for herself.

[@paulgibbon5991]

@@cherrypopscile3385 Being a great person to people other than the victims has no relevance to someone accused of a crime. That's how people in all kinds of respectable positions get away with abuse.

[@Rudy04]

Fun Fact: Vader said in an interview that when they rushed to check on Arn and wait for an ambulance, Vader used his thumb to plug one of the stab wounds to keep Arn from bleeding out

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

He also was in his tiny whities at the time when it happened. Another terrifying sight to be seen

[@bulletchains8205]

Vader being one of the nicest guys AND one of the most metal as fuck guys in the Biz

[@lloydlyall8120]

It was sid that Vader saved by sticking his thumb in his wound bro😎

[@Spacewizzard090]

The whole Lawler business at the very least led to a great line from CM Punk whilst he was doing his stint on commentary in 2010. Lawler: *says something a bit weird and creepy regarding some divas who were coming to the ring for a match* *a couple seconds of silence* CM Punk: "They're a bit old for you aren't they, Jerry?"

[@CallumC]

I know AJ Lee once said to Jerry on commentary that she's too old for him.

[@Torthrodhel]

Was never really the biggest fan of Punk but it's little moments like that that make me fond of the guy regardless that I don't quite get the hype in more general terms. Fucking good for him and his daring.

[@roberdink]

@@CallumC Lawler responded by saying "You're too ugly for me."

[@RataStuey]

Ba ha ha ha ha

[@kenrickeason]

@@Torthrodhel Like For Instant I don't get the hype for Triple H over the years cause he was a boring wrestler to me but yeah I like him as a Booker cause he knows what Pro Wrestling is supposed to be.. Look at NXT before Vince Mcmahon took it from him..

[@ArcherSuh4721]

I'm going wa-aaa-ay back to the 1950s but here's another honorable mention: "Killer" Sam Sheppard. He not only survived a scandal, he wouldn't have even had a career if it hadn't been for it. He was a doctor who was accused of murdering his wife and the press dubbed it the "trial of the century," as well as straight-up convicting him in the public's eyes. He always maintained his innocence and even though he was eventually cleared, his medical career was ruined. So he became a wrestler (and created the mandible claw, by the way) and took advantage of the publicity from the media circus that surrounded his trial. Tasteless? Maybe. But nobody cared because the guy drew big money! And fun fact: The trial also inspired the idea for the TV show The Fugitive.

[@joshthefunkdoc]

Yep, the way i've always heard people put it was that Sam Shepard was the OJ Simpson trial of the 50s in terms of media coverage.

[@mike04574]

And movie

[@DaileyShorts]

What a great, full of info comment. Well played innit, well played

[@burnthetrolls5971]

I wanna see a Dark Side of the Ring on that

[@frankbonini7085]

@Burn The Trolls Me, as Well ... E! Also Did a 'True Hollywood Story" ... and George Peppard ("the A-Team", "Banacek") Played Dr. Shepard in a Biopic Back in the 70s

[@monkeyman5866]

"You know Hogan, always dropping those hard Rrrrr's!" I audibly spit out my drink on that one.

[@RataStuey]

Can someone explain that joke to me??

[@iCANTsleep2]

@@RataStuey you must be too young

[@Peopleofthesun386]

@@RataStuey In the video he says the N word with the hard RRRR

[@BrandanTheBroker]

Mr. Zane, We are now officially awaiting that 4 parter on Vince 😂

[@Alex_DC413]

So that's why Gino Hernandez's babyface push "won" Wrestling Observer's most disgusting promotional tactic (I mean, it's correct...)

[@TheJJStrife]

You mean Jose Gonzalez? Gino Hernandez is someone completely different, wrestling mainly in Texas for World Class.

[@awzthemusicalreviews]

@@TheJJStrife that being said, I can't put it past Mantel or Boesch to have been thinking of how to capitalize off of Gino after he died

[@EnclosedPoolArea]

Gino Hernandez wasn't in this video? What are you referring to?

[@TheJJStrife]

Jose Gonzalez, the guy that helped kill Bruiser Brody

[@JMFabiano]

@@awzthemusicalreviews WCCW did try to get Chris Adams' face turn over by saying his kayfabe blinding was as big a tragedy as Gino's death. On that topic, seeing as him and his family were still idolized in Texas and he didn't necessarily get ran out of the business, WHERE IS FRITZ VON ERICH?

[@wstine79]

I'd like to see a video about the "Top 8 Wrestlers whose careers have been erased by promotions."

[@ConnorLockhartYGO]

All 8 places would be "Chris Benoit."

[@XYDEWAYZ8]

This is dope idea bro

[@johndonald9239]

I think Muhammad Hassan is the only one who got Benoit treatment not because real life reason

[@MrBda241]

@Jay Harv28 It's not like they can't advertise every content on WWE Network and not have Benoit, it be impossible.

[@JMFabiano]

Photoshop everyone with Stevie Richards and we're on!

[@RipBozoXD]

I'm glad that the modern day wrestlers have found a healthy and safe addiction in the form of videogames rather than abusing drugs and alcohol which have ruined many many careers.

[@dennisbowen452]

Upupdowndown made me like modern wrestlers. Even baron Corbin is better on there then the actual TV shows.

[@VTM_isawesome]

Or collecting "dolls"

[@scotthardie5141]

@@VTM_isawesome Yep, way better to OD in your 30s

[@lambchops1]

@RaWatcher hey jim!

[@erichammer8434]

Kevin Nash said it best...."Imagine if they said no alcohol, no pills....smoke all the pot you want."

[@bathroomattendant]

The hard ARRRRRs joke was top level. be proud of it

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

Actually the biggest consequence that I remember for Jimmy's Stuka actions during 2015 was that Tamina dropped the Snuka last name

[@CherryVanityRawr]

Snuka*

[@singaporesammy]

I'm not even sure that counts. Natalya Neidhart dropped the Neidhart. It wasn't because of anything the Anvil did. It was just WWE being asinine, like usual.

[@Torthrodhel]

@@singaporesammy yeah I'm doubtful too. Dropping last names just seems to be a thing Vince is really fond of, and does routinely without there needing to be a reason.

[@whaduzitmatr]

I remember though in 2017 when they had the "Superstar Shakeup" and Shane McMahon was announcing the newest Smackdown superstars he said the next one had a "Hall of Fame Father" (leading people to think it was Charlotte Flair) but Tamina came out instead

[@JMFabiano]

I think Tamina is the scarlet letter Vince must bear for life after getting Jimmy off. Now he is stuck pushing his boring daughter forever.

[@rustymcbadbat]

The whole Patterson thing is kinda easy to ignore until you see the shoot interview where Piper talked (or really didnt talk) about whatever happened between them. The look in that man’s eyes is absolutely heartbreaking and it makes me despise Patterson and wish he got the Benoit treatment.

[@simbatheflyguy285]

"He loves dropping those hard Rs" I've watched your content for about 5 years now and that is hands down the best joke you've ever made😭

[@sean_jones13]

Booker T in that picture looks like someone who is mad at another person who took all the credit for a group project.

[@CGaboL]

Honorable mention: "Z Man" Brian Zane. He dared to do the very heinous and despicable act of going on a family vacation the same weekend All Out 2021 took place, and worked for Ring of Honor the very next week as if nothing had happened. It's amazing that ROH didn't let him go after daring to want to take a break for a few days!

[@King4sshole89]

The Ring Boy Scandal has to be on Dark Side of the Ring Season Four.

[@brad3042]

I can see WWE putting up a stink over that since Patterson passed away recently.

[@Grizzexploder]

can't really get much people to talk about it either, since they're either dead, or under NDAs

[@JeffJedi]

When they asked Roddy Piper if something like that happened to him he said, "Its a hard business."

[@comixproviderftw_02]

They can’t because most of the key players that were involved in that incident are dead.

[@burnthetrolls5971]

I wish they would but I don't think they can

[@tmage23]

Arn might have made the first move but if a guy I'm arguing with shows up at my door with a broken table leg, I think his intentions are pretty clear.

[@VinnieGer]

“I just want to talk to him”

[@DoktorRockszo]

The story I heard was that it was actually either a mop or a squeegee, and previous versions of the story also went out of the way to clarify it was a pair of safety scissors. It was apparently a pretty absurd scene until people started getting cut.

[@elneco4654]

@@DoktorRockszo Oh yeah, this did end up in WCW I believe. "What's wrong Sid, can't find your scissors?"

[@KingKhanate1997]

Sid had the squeegee when he was about to get into a fight with Pillman I think, when they finally saw big bad Sid Viscous all fired up and armed with a squeegee of all things, they just laughed him out of the room

[@aaronlishus897]

Right! "Okay Sid, wait right here."

[@testshietchannel]

Hogan dropping hard "R"s? You mean, he drops balls not legs? 🤔

[@thebaker525]

Knowing that Sid and Arn are both cool with each other after attempting to murder each other is one of the most wrestling things I’ve ever heard.

[@thesprock5270]

It’s how guys are.. 🤷‍♂️

[@bulletchains8205]

i legit heard the part where Arn got stabbed 20 times, and i said in my head "I hope they made up" WHY, Cause wrestling. lol.

[@green49285]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[@DoktorRockszo]

Bit surprised that Ken Patera didn't get a mention. Or Abdulla the Butcher giving a bunch of guys Hepatitis, denying he has it, and refusing to get tested.

[@TheLeonWesker]

Let's hope he'll make a part 2

[@sunshineholmes3487]

Patera's career really didn't survive his arrest though. Sure Vince took him back but aside from being on Team Hogan at the first Survivor Series he didn't do much after. As far as Booker's arrest that happened before he got into wrestling. If you wanted to include bad things wrestlers did as teens you could do a top 100 list.

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854]

@@sunshineholmes3487 Was that the incident where he smashed a Burger King window to try to break in and rob the place? 🤔

[@DoktorRockszo]

It's true that Patera's run after his return was kind of short and not particularly eventful, but I think that had more to do with his injuries. I'd say the fact that WWF took him back at all and still put him on relatively high profile programs instead of, say, jobbing him out counts as survival. For what it's worth, I think he had a pretty lengthy run doing commentary for WSM competitions afterwards too, so I guess they were also willing to overlook his past.

[@codeword632]

Orton's case was worse then Abdulla

[@MovieEggman]

Carlos Colon and Invader #1 were also solely responsible for killing the Pro Wrestling Industry in Puerto Rico, this incident was the reason why nobody in the United States wanted to do business with Puerto Rican promotions ever again and 30 years late the Puerto Rican pro wrestling industry is still struggling and barely surviving.

[@KingKhanate1997]

Good

[@roberdink]

Ric Flair had planned to go to the island for a couple of matches, but he cancelled after the murder of Bruiser Brody.

[@rickyrosay33977]

You should see the wwc shows they’re now held in gyms and can barely draw a crowd

[@adannanewby3674]

Debra’s account of the abuse she suffered is harrowing! I’m glad that she’s been able to move forward and go back to school, domestic violence is really an awful thing.

[@clearspira]

If true.

[@adannanewby3674]

@@clearspira ….there is no “if true.” It is true. He turned himself into the police and pleaded guilty to the charges .

[@scotthardie5141]

@@clearspira Gee, wonder why more people don't report assault??

[@scotthardie5141]

@@clearspira Gee, wonder why more people don't report assault??

[@ChattGM]

@@adannanewby3674SAY IT LOUDER!! The literal proof was in the video with Austin in a jumpsuit lol.

[@thereelpineapple]

As a black dude, I was mid bong hit when Brian said "Hogan always dropping those hard R's." I wasn't prepared for that 😆, bravo.

[@MentalLiberation]

Honorable mention goes to everybody on the plane ride from hell that got away clean. Specifically, the ones that were highlighted for their antics.

[@nicholaschristie8699]

An honorable mention, for me, would be when New Jack stabbed someone 7 times in the ring. The reason being I have seen people actually trying to defend New Jack with that, which is absolutely absurd.

[@LeftyStegman]

It was 9 times

[@nicholaschristie8699]

@@LeftyStegman Thank you, but my point still remains valid with idiots defending him.

[@LeftyStegman]

@@nicholaschristie8699 I’m not disagreeing with you I’m just pointing out it was 9 times a direct quote from new jack

[@nicholaschristie8699]

@@LeftyStegman Oh no, I didn't mean that you were disagreeing.

[@LukeLeonettiYouTube]

He got away with it because the guy he stabbed decided not to press charges on the condition that they would feud with each other over the stabbing. New Jack said "okay", and then left Florida

[@KegOfMeat]

After I found out about the accusations against Patterson, I have never been able to see a photo or video of him and not think about those accusations.

[@SteeleZack]

Not only did Hogan admit to steriod usage, he also "buried" the industry (not sure if this was intentional) by making it public the popular industry tactic of encouraging the talent to take "pain- killers" over getting surgery leading to substance abuse.

[@AllHailKingKurt]

You’re being too hard on hogan there buddy, things can definitely go wrong with surgeries and he stated that it was prescribed, there’s nothing wrong with taking prescription medication that your physician prescribes to you. Now the real issue maybe the physicians prescribing these medications if they are doing that knowingly that it is worst than the surgery or knowing the risk of addiction to pain killers

[@Cyberlanky]

After all the things he said prior to coming back to WWE, I'm surprised Warrior didn't get an honorable mention given how much WWE seem to have idolised him since his death.

[@JMFabiano]

He did get payback prior to that (WWE not hiring him back, the burial DVD, mockery from fans and wrestlers everywhere).

[@Bandi125]

Who would say that in the end Andy Kaufman was not the villain but rather a hero who tried to tell us that Lawler was a quite questionable man.

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

Hardy's drug problems and unreliability at that time put aside: To this day I'm flabbergasted that TNA or rather Eric Bischoff sent out a guy to (sort of) wrestle in a match when he was so high he could have had a conversation with the crew of the ISS - face to face. The fact it didn't happen in a throwaway match on a weekly show, but in the main event of a PPV is even more puzzling, reckless and unprofessional. There would have been so many ways to avoid that situation.

[@xmikerx666]

Think New Jack, who saw more than a few wrestlers high in his day, said Hardy may well have appeared normal enough at Gorilla to be sent out with Uncle Eric then calling such an obvious audible when it became clear that he was communicating with aliens.

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

@@xmikerx666 Possible, but I see that as pretty unlikely. Hardy's mannerisms did likely not change in seconds from gorilla to outside. But I agree, the audible was more obvious than the end of Titanic.

[@johnyporter6341]

An interesting follow up video could be Wrestlers Who “Didn’t” Survive Scandal. Might be a short list mind you.

[@kevindouglas5333]

All I think of is Dr D

[@MrBlazemaster525]

Joey Ryan entered the chat

[@georgepiedra8791]

I can think of Buck Zumhofe and Marty Jannetty

[@johnyporter6341]

I’m sure Marty and Joey Ryan will pick up work again at some point. Zumhofe and Benoit on the other hand…

[@MrBlazemaster525]

@@johnyporter6341 yeah, considering Joey Ryan had a show fall apart when it turned out he was involved it aint happening

[@freack3333]

The Pat Patterson thing should be covered in a future Dark side of the ring, I never knew about that.

[@idkmynametho8391]

It’s quite interesting. Randy Orton’s uncle was an alleged victim.

[@gamefreak2065]

I never knew that as well. Jesus.

[@Grizzexploder]

the Pat Patterson stuff is something I've been exploring for years myself, but the breakdown Dave Meltzer did is prob the most in depth summary of the whole thing (long comment): > Patterson also was involved in all kinds of controversy. Most famous was a ring boys scandal in 1991-92 which led to him resigning from the company and his career in wrestling was seemingly over when he was the second most powerful player in the company. He was also sued by a clear con man at the same time this scandal broke. He was cleared in an investigation by the company and the other lawsuit fell apart. Patterson, ring announcer and head of ring crew Mel Phillips and Terry Joyal (Terry Garvin), who was Patterson’s assistant, and were all gay and were named in stories in the New York Post and San Diego Union-Tribune, and all three resigned from the company. He was a key topic of discussion on a 1992 episode of the Phil Donahue show, at the time the No. 1 afternoon talk show in the country, which did an episode on various WWF scandals which included McMahon, Superstar Billy Graham, Bruno Sammartino, John Arezzi, myself along with Murray Hodgson, an announcer who briefly worked for the company, Barry Orton, the uncle of Randy Orton, and Tom Hankins, a lesser-known wrestler who had bounced around the business and was a huge fan. Vince McMahon at the time told me that it was a media going after people because they were gay, but when it came to the individuals, he always maintained one of the three was innocent. But he insisted, out of Patterson’s great loyalty to the company and the business, he would never work in WWF again. For his part, Patterson began studying to be a bartender, but it was clear quickly he was going to be brought back. On the Donahue show, it was a horrific day for Patterson. Graham made an accusation against him on national television which Graham later recanted, and even though many in the company eventually forgave Graham, Patterson wasn’t one of them. Orton spoke of a trip when he was first breaking in working the Amarillo territory at 19 where he said during the entire trip Garvin and Patterson came on to him, and felt that turning them down hurt his career because they had become two top executives and he never got a push as Barry O. Ted DiBiase, who was in the same car in the front seat, said that it was a rib, but Orton didn’t know any better and was adamant about the story. And to be fair, Orton was hardly the only person who told similar stories about Garvin. Hankins said he was at a bar after the show and asked Patterson if he could work as a job guy at TV tapings and Patterson, with lots of people there, basically laughed at him, he was short, heavy and not physically impressive in a day when wrestling was about bodies, and said something to the extent of the only way you can get booked is if you suck my dick. There were witnesses who said it happened. It was just Patterson trying to make fun of him and to get a laugh, but Hankins took it seriously, and when he said it on the Donahue show it came off as terrible for the WWF and Patterson, although it would have been far worse today. It was a different time. Wrestling came off sleazy to the public and the general reaction was that wrestling was fake, so who cares, and even though it was big business, most mainstream media wouldn’t touch that type of a story. Hodgson was the most damaging, going toe-to-toe with Vince, making Vince look bad as he claimed he lost his job as an announcer for not having sex with a male Vice President, who he would not name on the Donahue how, but had named as Patterson on other shows and in the lawsuit, and McMahon immediately brought up that he was talking about Patterson. McMahon said he was fired for being a bad announcer. Hodgson was hired for the events center and had trouble remembering the names of cities and such, and while he had a good look and voice, they claimed he wasn’t good at the job. My belief is that Hodgson, based on conversations with him, saw Patterson and Curt Hennig horsing around and joking about Patterson being gay, which he did constantly, and came up with the story. Hodgson was well spoken, and handled the media well, but in time, his own lawyer claimed after learning about him he immediately dropped him as a client and claimed he was the most dishonest client he ever had. Jerry McDevitt found that he had done this same thing at other jobs. The suit ended up going nowhere. The ringboy stuff had no connection with Patterson as far as anyone could tell, only Garvin and Phillips, who never returned. “The only time he accepted to speak to me about the allegations over the 15 interview sessions we did is the only time I saw him cry, and to this day, he was very hurt by the false allegations that tarnished his reputation,” said Hebert. “In Pat Patterson’s fashion, he just tried to push it as far back as he could and look forward.” Outside the ring he was fun-loving, always wanting to make himself and others laugh. He was gay. Everyone knew it. At times he liked to make people uncomfortable with it, but usually just as comedy, to make those around him laugh. He would do things that one could take as making passes, but were done in a comedy way, again to get people mostly around him to laugh. But they could be taken another way, which led to the issues that nearly ended his career in management.

[@MichaelMiller-tm2os]

Reading this entire piece, it is very clear Patterson did nothing wrong.

[@comixproviderftw_02]

Unlikely since most of the people who were involved are dead.

[@TyroneisPositive]

When AJ Lee said she was too old for The King I knew she was not gonna be a lifer

[@WillHendersonTX]

here's one for the list that went unsung: in May of 2012, after returning from wrestling in Mexico, Io Shirai and Nosawa (who she was dating at the time) got arrested in Japan for smuggling pot back from Mexico inside paintings of them, they both were placed in jail, Io had never committed a crime before and Nosawa had a previous arrest in 2011 for stealing a taxicab and driving without a driver's license, both were arrested at Narita Airport in Narita, Japan. they were facing 5 years of prison for smuggling 75 grams of Pot that was embedded inside paintings of Io and Nosawa they were gifted in Mexico. Io held a tearful press conference pleading her innocence, fast foward to 2 months later and it turned out Io and Nosawa was framed by Takuya Sugi (a Japanese Wrestler wrestling in Mexico at the time) confessed to planting the weed on Io and Nosawa's paintings as a order from Masahiro Hayashi (who held a grudge with Nosawa), so pretty much, the charges were dropped, Io who was 22 at the time dumped Nosawa (who was in his mid 30s at the time) and resumed her career in Stardom and never been in trouble with the law ever since and have since ended up joining WWE in 2018 and gone on to be winner up of the 2018 Mae Young Classic and won the NXT Women's Championship and NXT Women's Tag Team Championship (with Zoey Stark). 2023 update: she was rebranded to Iyo Sky, made main roster debut at SummerSlam 2022 as part of Damage CTRL, won the Women's tag team titles with fellow Damage CTRL member Dakota Kai won Money In The Bank and cashed it in to win the WWE Women's Championship (FKA the Raw Women's Championship).

[@stephano1019]

Damn!!

[@Prowres4life]

And now the current WWE women's champion

[@wildwine6400]

Honourable mention to JBL for years of alleged bullying and extra curriculum shower activities

[@starchygoblin9859]

Honestly, JBL's isn't really a scandal. Yes, bullying is terrible and should never be done. But it's not really a scandal per say because hazing was the norm for decades. Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Hardcore Holly, The Undertaker, all participated in hazing of some form or another. JBL being a mega asshole sucks, but it ain't ever really gonna hurt him because that's just how the business was then.

[@singaporesammy]

@@starchygoblin9859 Deciding to soap Edge in the shower and force the Hardy Boys to always change in front of him isn't hazing. That's some Harvey Weinstein stuff.

[@DoktorRockszo]

I'll take any excuse to rewatch the clip of Stevie caving in JBL's head with the chair

[@Lynch2507]

@@starchygoblin9859 Shit being "the norm" is not an excuse.

[@hugoalynstephens9166]

@@singaporesammy Christian apparently wasn't safe from the showers around Bradshaw either. :(

[@claytonrios1]

I was one who thought that the infamous Jeff Hardy vs Sting match at Victory Road would be the end of TNA Wrestling as I knew it. But if there's one thing I learned about TNA and now Impact Wrestling it's that the company has a complete unwillingness to die!

[@painvillegaming4119]

It to angry to die

[@claytonrios1]

@@painvillegaming4119 Like Kratos it's too angry to die!

[@willlastnameguy8329]

I think it was a work. Just like the Montreal screwjob.

[@claytonrios1]

@@willlastnameguy8329 I highly doubt that. But considering Eric Bischoff loves to use controversy I don't think there's any low he won't stoop to.

[@shoto7948]

And is that a bad thing? Impact has been pretty good since 2018

[@HandlebarOrionX]

8:13 Bubba The Lovesponge should be his own Darkside Of The Ring episode. I wanna hear Awesome Kong talk about the time she beat his ass again

[@carybeweary7209]

I'd love that!

[@spiceupyourlife7755]

She did an interview describing the incident

[@HandlebarOrionX]

@@spiceupyourlife7755 that I know. I have a Highspots Network subscription. But imagine a whole episode on Bubba

[@dimensiongamer534]

I really hope all of the younger talent of wrestling out there today learns from these awful incidents and never repeat them.

[@Torthrodhel]

I mean the problem isn't knowing whether or not it's going to get you in trouble. The problem is wanting to do it in the first place. The examples are more for recruiters than they are for performers, I feel. Don't hire garbage humans. Don't let things like that slide. And when you didn't know, but then do, get rid of them, don't hang around for public outrage and make excuses in the meantime. Drugs are still the exception, for me. It's not a great idea to encourage that kind of thing, but good people can still have drug addictions and so there's leeway there for understanding different situations as they come. Good people can't have rape or murder addictions, however. So no tolerance for that.

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

I’m surprised that wrestling companies still wanted to employ Jeff after what he did at victory road 2011 He is a lucky man

[@RONTHEGOAT]

it’s jeff hardy. anybody else would have been blackballed from the biz.

[@starrcade6709]

If Jeff Hardy wasn't as beloved and cheered by the fans, Hardy would be a forgotten wrestler that was lost due to alcohol and drugs.

[@AlexGreat321]

It seems for all his faults Jeff is genuinely a nice guy. You're more likely to get second and third chances if businesses/people can see that. Assholes, even if they're great at what they do have a harder time. See Tessa Blanchard, Low Ki etc

[@shoto7948]

@@RONTHEGOAT exactly what I was gonna say

[@thedroneflyingviking1284]

Tna was going down the shitter by then anyway it was probably good publicity for them at the time

[@HandlebarOrionX]

14:47 I imagine after puffing Hacksaw probably held it in for 3 seconds and let out a big "HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

[@CorrineFerguson]

I’ll never understand how people don’t acknowledge austins abuse and lawlers accusations

[@Wriqhton]

If they was a woman, they’d never let her forget it (example: Paige still to this day still gets nasty messages about her stuff being leaked) double standards I hate so much.

[@TheSBleeder]

Especially Austin since he was convicted. Hogan got erased for N-bombs; Austin got no sanction for domestic battery.

[@CorrineFerguson]

so true you’re both right!! Honestly thats why i like brian because he holds people accountable. Seems like a really good guy.

[@HhhHhhh-nu4lm]

@@TheSBleeder with the me too movement today you would think.austin would be black balled.depp was when everyone thought he beat amber but it was other way around . Hogan apoglised for his n word Steve never took responsibility for it .he had gag order on placed so he don't have to talk about it. Hogan not perfect but he helped more people then Steve hogan put over rock Brock Luger.warrior hhh Steve only had two clean losses post wm 14 hhh and rock he refused to put over rock multiple times he didn't lose to jerihco clean he didn't want work with rpad.dlgg Gunn Jarett and Mero . Hogan hogan big show his first job Steve left because he didn't want to lose to Brock . I don't condone what hogan did but saying the n word is not half as bad as beating your wife.i don't think hogan racist he said something dumb out anger .he has black friends .hogan used his politics but he has helped alot more guy then Steve on the end he better person then Steve

[@101Youfail]

Because any celebrity being punished is considered ‘cancel culture’ these days. More like celebrity worship culture.

[@Stjurgeon]

9:00 I've never seen this picture before. It's such a perfect representation of the issue.

[@israelsandoval8671]

To be fair, Booker T DID call Hogan one first. So....there's that. I kid. I kid. There's no room for any hate like that.

[@Grizzexploder]

I'll never really like or respect Hogan, but the one thing he did right about the whole "racist" thing was apologise to the New Day and then hear them out on what they had to say to him. Not saying New Day represent all of black people, but I'd like to be optimistic and say that it showed some extent of willingness to change beyond telling the locker room "don't get caught saying racist things"

[@Hempujonsito]

He indeed was coming for him

[@karma_coin]

now for a list of those who didn't survive #1 Vincent "Poophead" McMahon

[@what3801]

Lawler, in his 40s, hanging out with a 15 year old, stranger, not a relative, hanging out with her at the mall. Then going back to his hotel room. Wtf? That's creepy.

[@TJSpyke]

And it was common, when Bruce Prichard was asked about this on his podcast, he basically said that it was a open secret that wrestlers in the Memphis territory liked to hang out with underage girls. Lawler blocked me on Twitter after I asked him why he sent a letter to the prosecutor in his case calling the girl and her friend "bisexual sluts" and why the girl suddenly decided not to testify the day after Lawler visited her grandmother. I don't know why anyone chooses to work with a man who is effectively a child molester.

[@dannydorko7075]

He is incredibly lucky he wasn't jailed

[@cookieface80]

@@dannydorko7075 He's lucky that he was a big star at a time when people were more than happy to turn a blind eye.

[@JeremiahEcks777]

The Jerry Lawler one leaves me feeling unwell. Especially seeing as he made a career out of leering at women half his age. I know it's only alleged but putting those two Jigsaw pieces together doesn't make a good picture.

[@salvagemonster3612]

Oh it’s not alleged. All the boys in Memphis or those that worked the territory knew and it was a open joke.

[@kingnickg4268]

All these scandles really makes me think why do I even like wrestling.

[@dyhall]

Eh, you could make this same list but several times longer for actors in Hollywood or professional athletes. It’s just the way of the world, wrestling isn’t unique.

[@jobdoneright5934]

@@dyhall just the way the world works? Ok...

[@p.d.l7023]

Lawler: Hey, I just took her to the mall, bought her clothes, took her to a hotel room. That alone was bad enough!

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

Yeah, even in the event that Lawler DIDN’T rape a little girl, he still comes off as a racist creep with no sense of boundaries who had no place being given as little oversight in the workplace as he had.

[@wstine79]

What about Stone Cold Soap after his secrer affair with Betty Bubblebath?

[@anne.eyewitness]

He's since cleaned up his act.

[@Jamiedreamweaver]

Alexys K great pun !

[@ThaGodfadda]

That intro still freakin slaps! Amazing video as always!

[@glenndallas7171]

Brian's timing is amazing, considering everything that has happened since the Plane Ride from Hell episode of DSotR.

[@thataurus2492]

That "ring boy " scandle was bigger than I thought

[@Rosario_Verano]

I believe Vince did an interview for a TV show, discussing that scandal and among the other guests who were sitting at the table with him was Dave Meltzer.

[@thataurus2492]

@@Rosario_Verano that's why Ken Hart didn't last for this same reason

[@mattysquizzato7094]

"Forget fuckin a teenager, that's the real scandal." LMFNAO.

[@brandoniswhoiam]

The Fabulous Moolah should’ve been a dishonorable mention.

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854]

Good point...😏👍

[@TJSpyke]

None of those allegations have been proven

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

@@TJSpyke Real class act typing this under every comment that thinks that alleged sex trafficking is something that should raise some eyebrows.

[@TJSpyke]

@@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick false allegations that have been discredited

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

@@TJSpyke Discredited by who exactly?

[@evanhanley6437]

This video really hits hard. Exceptional video Brian.

[@Vestersted]

You forgot Hogan's rape allegations. Quoting Wrestling With Sin: "in 1996 a woman named Kate Kennedy accused Hogan of sexual assault. The alleged assault occurred just two days before the launch of WCW’s Monday Nitro program in September of 1995. Kennedy was a publicist for Hogan’s failed restaurant endeavor called ‘Pastamania.’ She alleged that she met Hulk at the Marriott Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota to talk business."

[@Steezboy3000]

Here after the new lawsuit against Vince, maybe its time for that video!

[@VicHD]

The irony about the Sid and Arn incident was that once Sid was hired by the WWF again, he was rebranded as Sycho Sid, thanks to Cornette.

[@Guz1316]

The last 2 videos that you made were very unique and great topics. I hope you keep making them Brian!

[@henrikschmidt3964]

I was glad to see Austin on the list. I really like Steve, but he did get off awfully light. It should not be forgotten.

[@TheCheat420]

"and have since buried the sci- hatchet." Holy shit that got me lmao

[@420benton2]

How did Hulk Hogan survive after Suburban Commando though?

[@changnoi6458]

Christ I was frozen today!

[@claymathewselevator8121]

@@changnoi6458 I love Christopher Lloyd

[@VinnieGer]

9:27 that got a hard chuckle out of me

[@aidenlorenzo5409]

damn now I really want to see that top 16 Vince McMahon scandals list

[@johnlane5704]

Damn you can condense them to 16?

[@HorrorMetalDnD]

The look on Booker T’s face in that photo with Hogan. [chef’s kiss] Priceless!

[@bulletchains8205]

but yet Booker still shills for them, lol

[@a.mirandahsr]

As a Puerto Rican that grew up watching WWC in the 90's I can safely say that one of the reasons why Invader #1 was able to rise to local prominence again was the fact that what happened barely got mentioned post the trial over the years, and with the egomaniac portraying a face most of the time it helped him stay popular with the local casual wrestling fan base Although in 1992 when Invader turned heel for most of the year, Carlos Colon did referenced the tragic event in 1988 and its aftermath in a promo that happened for their big match in Aniversario 1992, he didn't directly mentioned it per se but it's easy to put up 2 and 2 together after watching the promo

[@TheScottchristophers]

That’s a great list idea! Top 8 Vince McMahon scandals

[@iangray1980]

Be impossible to rank them

[@jonbourgoin182]

More like top 16. A two parter

[@VinnieGer]

Not a scandal per-say but there was something mighty different about durag Vince.

[@slashandbones13]

that could be a top 50 list.

[@TheScottchristophers]

Love ya, Z man! Always stoked to see a new W3 vid!

[@bigshambowski]

I feel like there should be a part 2 to this.

[@robertfrank521]

hasnt even been a week and this episode needs an update Nature Boy style

[@NicholasHume]

This video proves that Brian Zane survived the SCANDAL of going on vacation with his family

[@alhex4872]

What a great topic to cover! Thanks Brian!

[@theicongib8072]

Hello Brian. It has been a while since ive seen your videos. I just want to say, i love that intro package. Pretty good stuff there friend. Keep it up

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

Honorable mentions every wrestler that wasn’t realeased last year after the speakingout movement

[@stewartglencrose9023]

Or Progress Wrestling as a whole

[@starchygoblin9859]

Yeah I don't think it matters who attacked first between Sid and Arn, Sid was the guy who went to the hotel room armed with a chair leg to begin with. You put that story in court, Sid would be going to jail.

[@0M366Y]

9:29 the way the air left my lungs after that joke 😭😭😭😭 Great video z man I always enjoy ur personal take on the ‘list’ genre.

[@robertwoods3871]

So Jerry gets outed as a nonce and suffers nothing for it? I guess we know why the Kat divorced him

[@ddjsoyenby]

ikr.

[@mrnaughtycat]

I will always dislike Jerry for that i remember seeing him on playboy tv thinking he could get it on with the models lol

[@robertwoods3871]

@@mrnaughtycat they're all too old for him

[@rvaldrich]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Fabulous Moolah, although I suppose her star was never as bright as these...except maybe Sid's.

[@Blacknight8850]

I think its more the "survived a scandal" thing - the stuff about her didn't become widely known until after she died, and her legacy's not recovered since.

[@chunkz1187]

Sid was huge back in the day

[@JMFabiano]

Before the boom era, she was one of the best known women's wrestlers and was the main villain of the WWF's division (shoot? work? you decide....) in the Hulkamania era. Yeah not bright at all.

[@JMFabiano]

@@Blacknight8850 Yeah did people know before then (i.e. was it like Snuka that only WON readers knew until the internet, etc. became widely used)? I don't remember it coming out much until after her passing (hmmmmmm....), not even in the Attitude Era when she did the comic relief stuff with Mae Young.

[@Blacknight8850]

@@JMFabiano It was one of those semi-open secrets that you had to comb through shoot interviews and dirtsheets to hear about. The reason it came out after she died was because they were going to make the Women's Battle Royal the Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal until people (rightly) brought up all the terrible stuff she'd done, and thanks to the internet they could make their voices heard and it wasn't swept under the rug again.

[@stingrey1571]

hogan also was caught on tape saying it was karma the passenger in nick's auto accident was paralyzed, a veteran.

[@Hempujonsito]

He was correct, yes War criminals deserve to be punished

[@johnlane5704]

@@Hempujonsito those " war criminals" put their lives on the line to defend your right to make such stupid comments. What have you done to defend anyone else?

[@mrkipling2201]

What a brilliant intro. Definitely the best I’ve seen on this channel. 👍👍

[@KingKhanate1997]

Way I’ve heard it, Gonzalez and Colon haven’t been able to work in Japan since the stabbing on account of the Yakuza since Brody was so beloved there.

[@robertwoods3871]

Good riddance

[@JimmyPunkWrestling]

Not true, Invader have gone to Japan a few times after the incident, and Carlo's sons Carlito Caribbean Cool and Primo go regularly.

[@jhavi8850]

that Vince McMahon list got a whole lot more interesting these days

[@TheChrisHype]

Well, this episode certainly was a bummer… ….. Man, wrestlers in commercials sure are funny, aren’t they?

[@Smashvillain]

What a week to put THIS one out.

[@shevwreck2370]

I nearly pissed my pants when that screenshot of Hacksaw popped up hahaha 🤣. With that being said I gotta applaud you Mr Zane. Your channel has been a constant source of entertainment, great stuff!

[@stingrey1571]

dont forget vince also attempted to pay off the argentino family. they refused his money.

[@bargaintuesday812]

"What's the matter, Sid? Can't find your scissors?"

[@JMFabiano]

@Raymond Frand (Long silence)

[@JMFabiano]

(Silence continues)

[@JMFabiano]

"I said Sid, can't find your scissors?"

[@jarrodhook]

Ok, brilliant editing with the cutting of the music at 10:50 to correct yourself with burying the sciss....hatchet - brilliant comic editing, very subtle, ten on ten mate!!

[@ryandonovan5205]

Everything New Jack said about Lawler was absolutely 100% right and hilarious

[@MN_-]

lawler is guilty af if u read the police report its crazy

[@princesstamika]

it really is.

[@chriscavin5453]

Here after vince didn't survive the scandal

[@pokehybridtrainer]

11:54 These signs were everywhere. Christ.

[@gentlemann2458]

Whoo boy, that joke about Hogan and the "hard arrrrrss" is really funny and has so many layers...lol. well played sir, well played indeed.

[@JM1993951]

Jerry Lawler: I was just at the mall with teenagers because I wanted to buy them clothes and gifts Roy Moore: oh, uh, me too. Me too.

[@CosmicGoku529]

Jared from Subway: I just wanted to share my six inch sub with them.

[@jrcarter9175]

You sure Vince would only make up a two-parter? I can't help but think he'd be a full season of a TV docuseries.

[@baloothepibble8421]

That pic of HH with Booker T in the background says it all!

[@Neo-cj1im]

That hard arrr joke is a instant classic