10 Disturbing WWE Storylines That Got Way Too Dark
Only in pro wrestling can one man get away with hanging another on live television.
Wrestling, like any other form of entertainment, is supposed to offer escapism. It should remove the viewer from reality for a couple of hours, and as the most unique storytelling medium on the planet, few things can replicate its highs. From Hogan slamming Andre, to Mick Foley's first WWF Championship win, wrestling's greatest moments are pure euphoria, and make the weeks of struggle it gets to reach that point entirely worth it.
At its worst, however, wrestling can be downright miserable. The pseudo-sport will never be known for its taste and decency, and as much as WWE would love you to believe that they've "grown up" in the PG Era, their storytelling still dips into the crude, crass, and clumsy from time to time.
WWE have always run into problems when exploring heavier themes like race, addiction, and sexuality. For the most part, subtlety is dead in professional wrestling, and for all the great stories WWE have told over the years, they tend to let themselves down when it comes to the darker side of the human condition.
A sport that's supposed to be about triumph and elation soon becomes a nightmare, and when WWE tries to be "dark" and "edgy," they inevitably go way too far down the rabbit hole...
10. The Undertaker's Sacrificial Spree
The Undertaker has attempted to kill off numerous wrestlers over the years, particularly during his run with the Ministry of Darkness. The Ministry kidnapped and recruited the likes of The Acolytes, tortured Mideon into servitude, and sacrificed Ryan Shamrock to the "Higher Power." They then went one step further by attempting to crucify Stephanie McMahon during her Black Wedding to The Undertaker, but were foiled by Steve Austin.
Austin was a regular target, particularly in the lead-up to his Buried Alive match with 'Taker at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Along with chaining Austin to his symbol and hoisting him above the arena, 'Taker kidnapped Austin, took him to a funeral home, and tried to embalm him. Kane fortunately intervened before the ceremonial knife could be plunged into Stone Cold's chest- but it was disturbing, nonetheless.
The most startling visual came at the heart of the higher power story, with Undertaker vying for control of WWE. Vince McMahon sent the Big Boss Man, his Corporation enforcer, to deal with The Deadman at Wrestlemania XV, and the two met inside Hell In A Cell.
Taker defeated Boss Man, and The Brood descended from the rafters. They lowered a noose to their leader, which Undertaker secured around Boss Man's neck before ordering the Cell to be raised. Undertaker had "killed" Boss Man to send a message to Vince, and while his victim obviously survived, the sight of Boss Man's lifeless body dangling from the noose was both harrowing and tasteless.