10 Alternative Views On Wrestling's Biggest Scandals

6. The 'Plane Ride From Hell' Proved A Watershed Moment

Professional wrestling has always had somewhat of a rowdy, carnival-esque vibe to it. The statement 'the boys will be boys' has often been used in order to justify immature antics. Traditionally, wrestlers were like rock stars when they were on the road, tearing up nightclubs and bars and generally living the high life. Today's performers are more restrained than their predecessors, which suits WWE officials. There are certainly less memorable road stories coming to light, because there are more distractions for talent whilst on the go. In 2002, however, management had a potential disaster on their hands. Coming home from a UK tour on a WWE-chartered plane, talent were restless and in the mood to cause trouble. Guys like Sean 'X-Pac' Waltman, Scott Hall and Curt Hennig were from the old school way of doing things, and they mixed potently with relative newcomers like Brock Lesnar. Whilst thousands of feet in the air, Waltman cut the poneytail of an unconscious Michael Hayes (who had been knocked out by Bradshaw) off, Hall had completely passed out and Hennig and Lesnar almost feel through a plane door when they decided to have an impromptu amateur wrestling match in the aisle (there were other incidents, such as Goldust serenading ex-wife Terri Runnels over the plane intercom and Ric Flair parading around in nothing more than a robe). By the time the plane landed in the United States, several of the wrestlers involved were in deep trouble. It wouldn't be long before Waltman, Hennig and Hall were gone from the company as a result of there behaviour. This was somewhat of a watershed moment, and one of the last times WWE performers were out of control on the road. WWE warned talent not to behave in this fashion again and used several of the old school wrestlers to set an example.