10 Most Divisive Figures In Wrestling History
Fight(ing amongst ourselves) Forever.
The Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) is a contradiction, in and of itself; you can hardly label it a community, when one argument in support of a performer often, sadly, results in grim homophobic slurs. "You like Roman Reigns? Then bend over for him, f*ggot!"
There is no common cultural heritage within it because we can't even agree on what wrestling itself is. Is it a spot of fun and thus immune to serious critique, or a genuine art form? What matters more: the promo or the match? The IWC, as amorphous as it is, does exist in some form. We crudely and heatedly debate the minutiae of the wrestling industry on a daily basis, often because those who comprise it inspire it. These ten men, throughout history, are those who have sparked it more than most. There is no Terry Funk here, a man as genuine as he is legendary. There is no Daniel Bryan, wrestling's own Tom Hanks - an everyman as talented as he is relatable. Conversely, there is no Bill DeMott, who we can all probably agree is not very nice. No, this feature is the preserve of the men who mix(ed) our emotions and inspired endless Keyboard Death Matches.
The debate will likely rage on forevermore, but one thing is certain, at least: if these fellas didn't have something about them, we wouldn't care.
10. Vince Russo
Prosecution:
Torpedoed two well-financed wrestling companies. A nonsensical purveyor of nonsensical television, Vince Russo is (thankfully was) a wrestling writer who hates wrestling - even going as far as to confirm as much on TNA television. His list of crimes is innumerable, and that isn't hyperbole. In service of his beloved swerve - the one trick the horse sh*t-talking pony knows - he once went so far as to book a reverse battle royal, managing to capture the anti-essence of suspension of disbelief. In addition to his countless crimes, his latter career as an anti-Indies podcast host is as irritating as it is hypocritical. He loves to "castrate the marks" - even though he geared his WCW product exclusively to them, reducing his household audience to a bedsit in the process.
Defence:
Acknowledged reality at the helm of WWF creative at the onset of the Attitude Era, creating scope for some of the wildest and most controversial wrestling segments ever filmed. Injected fun as well as adult-oriented themes into proceedings. Had the grapefruits to stand up for his ideas and up to Vince McMahon, a legacy left sadly unexplored. Created countless unforgettable moments, even if many were deeply regrettable.
Author Verdict:
He's the very definition of a 'one hit wonder' - but at least that hit is closer in quality to My Sharona than Macarena.