Top 10 Times WWE Wrestlers Broke Character
For this list, we're looking at times when wrestlers went a bit off script, forgot the script or rewrote the thing entirely! Breaking character shatters the illusion that wrestling is real and not a staged production – violating a once-sacred law known as Kayfabe – but it also makes for some of the most fascinating moments in WWE history as well.
#10 – Chris Jericho DQs Himself to Save Neville
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On an episode of Raw in 2016, Jericho was battling the high-flyer Neville, and their match was going great… until Neville attempted a baseball slide and severely busted his ankle. Obvious to Y2J, Neville was badly hurt and wouldn’t be able to perform his acrobatic move set, so Jericho went for a quick pin to end the match and get some help; but, referee Charles Robinson broke the count at two… and Y2J lost it! Shoving Robinson and screaming obscenities at him, Jericho drew a disqualification to end the match, breaking character in order to help the injured Neville.
#9 –Sid Wants a Redo
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During a WWE In Your House pay-per-view in 1995, interviewer Jim Ross questions the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase about his desire to obtain the championship belt in an upcoming match between Sid and WWE Champion Diesel. Ross then asks Sid his thoughts on the matter and the big man completely flubs his lines, getting so frustrated he asks to start the promo over again… to which Good Ole JR responds, “this is live, Pal!” Oh, the joys of live TV! Sid eventually regroups and finishes the promo but looks none too pleased with his effort.
#8 – Triple-H Heals Miraculously
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When you’re married to the boss’ daughter, sometimes you can get too comfortable in the workplace and end up being a bit careless. The same holds true even if your workplace is the WWE – just ask Triple H. During Shawn Michael’s farewell speech on Raw the night after Wrestlemania 26, Triple H appeared atop the ramp to hug and congratulate his long-time friend in a truly special moment. But he forgot one thing: earlier that same night he was attacked from behind with a bloody steel pipe at the hands of Shamus and knocked unconscious! Seeing Triple H laugh and celebrate later that night is a real “kayfabe clusterf*ck!”
#7 – Mean Gene Drops the “F Bomb”
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Another case of WWE talent running into trouble on live TV, but this time with some slightly more colourful language! During SummerSlam ’89, Mean Gene Okerlund was set to interview the Intercontinental Champion, “Ravishing” Rick Rude backstage along with his manger Bobby Heenan. But, before Okerland could get a question out of his mouth, a SummerSlam sign fell off the wall behind him and crashed to the ground, startling the legendary announcer. With Rude and Heenan looking on, Mean Gene drops an “Fuck it” causing them to immediately cut his mic… and have ringside announcer Jesse Ventura make some jokes for the save.
#6 – CM Punk Laughs at Triple H
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During a 2013 episode of Raw, Stephanie McMahon gathered a group of former WWE champions in the ring to discuss the greatness and legacy of the title and its holders. It’s only expected that she went on to shower her husband Triple H with praise, naming him the greatest champion of all time. What was unexpected, however, was CM Punk’s hilarious reaction to these comments! Punk breaks out in laughter, head in hand, mocking Stephanie’s comments and Triple H’s multiple title runs in a move that – legend has it – did not go over well backstage with the McMahon family.
#5 - Gail Kim Eliminates Herself From the Diva Battle Royal
In one of the stranger entries on this list, Gail Kim doesn’t quite break character per se, but instead she uses her spotlight on live TV in order to give a giant “F U” to WWE management for her terrible treatment within the company during this time. On a 2011 episode of Raw, mere seconds into a Divas Battle Royal match and without even being touched, Kim rolls out of the ring and walks backstage, leaving the show’s announcers baffled in the process. But, Kim didn’t care as, unbeknownst to others, she was on her way back to TNA Wrestling anyway. So, let’s just say that she decided to take an early leave of absence!
#4 – Randy Orton Consoles Shane McMahon’s Son
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Some backstory on this one: Shane faced the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 32 in a Hell in the Cell match where he jumped off the top of the cell, crashed through a ring-side table, and nearly killed himself – with his small children looking on from ringside no less! Months later, at Survivor Series, Shane took a hard spear from Roman Reigns and appeared to be knocked unconscious. And, guess what? His son was sitting ringside again! Talk about a traumatic childhood! Orton was kind of a heel at the time, but – having kids himself – he showed that he’s a decent guy by consoling Shane’s son in the audience, telling him the injury was all part of the story. Aw.
#3 – Vince McMahon is Forced Back on TV
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In 2007, Vince McMahon killed his character off in a “Who Dunnit?” type murder mystery that saw him take some much needed time off away from television to focus on running the company. However, in a tragic event that soon followed, Chris Benoit killed his family, and later himself, in a heart-breaking murder/suicide. Returning to live TV to address the world and grieving fans, Vince was forced to abandon the murder-mystery angle – along with the fictional elements of wrestling altogether – to pay his respects to the deceased and navigate one of the darkest times in professional wrestling history.
#2 – The Curtain Call
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Back in 1996 Kayfabe was alive and well and wrestlers were expected to be in character in and outside of the ring. Also at this time, WWE was struggling in the ratings and two of its biggest stars – in Scott Hall and Kevin Nash – were set to jump ship to rival WCW. So, when after Nash’s final match at a Madison Square Garden house show, members of The Kliq decided to blur the lines between fiction and reality – between good and bad – and embrace each other centre ring to say their goodbyes… all hell broke loose backstage and many still believe that this single event contributed to the death of Kayfabe.
#1 – The Montreal Screw Job
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As mentioned, WWE were struggling in the ratings during the Mid 90s and stars were jumping ship to WCW. But when long-time WWE hero Bret Hart decided to head south to Ted Turner’s promotion, the situation became dire for Vince McMahon. Hart wanted to drop the belt on his own terms and receive a hero’s farewell, but Vince had other plans! Before the infamous championship match at Survivor Series1997, Mr. McMahon secretly reworked the ending to Shawn Michaels winning the title with the help of referee Earl Hebner and the rest is wrestling history! Did Bret screw Bret, or was Vince to blame? The jury is still out on this one!
