10 Real-Life Dramas That Made It To Wrestling TV

Daniel Bryan's March 'Talking Smack' implication that he'd one day wrestle again sent shockwaves throughout the industry, with many fans assuming his in-ring career had concluded following the extensive findings of WWE doctors during his previous hiatus.

Bryan himself admitted in interviews around the time of his supposed retirement that one wrong bump could spell trouble, and had noted privately suffering seizures that could be attributed to his litany of cranial traumas.

However, his teased return during another fabulous head-to-head with The Miz that (in theory) can never be paid off gave rise to his more discussion around his potential storyline return.

This is not the first time Daniel's hidden physical limitations have become part of the product. It was used as a stick to beat Bryan with on-screen long before the full extent of his injuries was apparent. And often, what goes on behind the curtain has far greater stakes than anything WWE creative teams can foster from their imaginations.

When a real-life incident can be parlayed into on-screen content, bookers and writers are normally only too willing to oblige.

So from dark secrets to sublime silliness and downright insanity from wrestling industry favourites, here are 10 real-life dramas that made it to television.

During his creatively stimulating 2001 heel turn, Stone Cold Steve Austin played an unravelling wimpy version of himself.

Trapped in a permanently paranoid state over his fragile position as WWE Champion and malevolent leader of 'The Alliance' during the fumbled WCW Invasion, Austin added nuances to the well-worn 'Rattlesnake' gimmick that looked set to extend his career for years to come.

Unfortunately, the shift in tone was a commercial failure, and by November, Austin was back to the reliable beer-drinking Stunner-machine he was extra comfortable with.

As it turned out, Austin's delicate mental state was mirroring a host of off-screen troubles.

Relations with his then-wife Debra had rapidly deteriorated, and as a 2002 domestic abuse charge alleged, he had physically assaulted her prior to the reported attack. Debra claimed WWE had placed a gag order on her due to his status as WWE Champion and company top draw.

The 2002 revelations came at the same time as Austin walked away from the organisation entirely due to creative frustrations, as he also earned a one-year alcohol ban thanks to fallout from the Debra assault.

Following his 2003 retirement, Austin has since admitted it took him several years to get the extremes of his life in the industry completely out of his system.