10 Biggest Wrestling Scandals Of The 2000s
A scandalous beginning to a new decade, new century, and new millennium.
At the beginning of the 2000s, WWE was an edgy cult phenomenon trying to smash WCW and win the Monday Night Wars. By the end of the 2000s, it was an industry monolith with a PG rating. Needless to say, it was a very busy decade. As top stars came and went and ratings started to decline, WWE faced a new battle for survival that had nothing to do with Ted Turner.
This new landscape was tough for anyone to navigate, and a number of big names got caught out and put their foot in it. Scandals were all over the place in this brave new world, and they affected everyone from the smallest midcarder to Vince McMahon himself.
These ten case studies prove that, even though the 20th century was in the rear view mirror, its love of controversy was still alive and well. Decisions made by creative teams and real-world events all got wrestling fans talking as they crammed around the water cooler.
Just a heads up - this list deals with a number of dark topics that aren't suitable for everyone. Reader discretion is advised.
10. Steve Austin Goes Home
In 2001, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was a WrestleMania main-eventer, a World champion, and a top star. In 2002, he was almost persona non grata.
The first time Austin walked out on WWE was shortly after WrestleMania X-8. Citing burnout, he took an unapproved break from the company. It can't have helped that his old rival The Rock had been given a marquee match against Hulk Hogan, while he'd been stuck with babysitting Scott Hall in the midcard.
His more famous walkout took place in June. Upon learning that he was going to lose a throwaway match against Brock Lesnar on free TV - a business decision he didn't agree with - Austin "took his ball and went home", leaving the promotion in the lurch.
WWE went full scorched earth on their former golden boy. He was publicly buried on TV, to the point where it felt like he was going to end up blacklisted. By the following year, however, the two sides had patched things up.
The fracturing of Austin's relationship with WWE was emblematic of the Attitude Era coming to an end. In another world, he could still be in their bad books today.