10 Alternative Views On Wrestling's Biggest Scandals

4. Edge Used Real-Life Love Triangle Heat To Become Headliner

Back in the Summer of 2005, there was no hotter story in wrestling than a very-real situation involving Edge, Lita and Matt Hardy. For years, Lita and Matt had been an item, something which fans had known about since it was referenced on television. In Spring '05, reports leaked that Lita had been seeing Edge behind Hardy's back, something Matt was very vocal about outside the company. The sensei of Mattitude was promptly released from his contract, but fans wanted him back - those chants of 'you screwed Matt!' just wouldn't go away. WWE made the decision to turn the real-life situation into an on-screen rivalry, playing off the genuine heat between Matt and Edge (and Lita). As a result of the feud, Edge rocketed up the card. He was well on his way in late 2004/early 05, but the love triangle gave him Lita as his manager and helped create the red-hot 'Rated-R Superstar' character. Edge had broken through the glass ceiling. Fans genuinely disliked the character and he became one of WWE's top heels as a result. Lita played a big part in his success, acting as a conniving, slutty female who rubbed her indiscretions in the faces of fans. Edge had toiled for years to crack the main event scene but it was only after this scandal that he was over enough to do it.