10 Desperate Moves WWE Made In A Panic Over Low Ratings

10. The Fake Razor Ramon And Diesel (1996)

In 1996, WWE television ratings were bottoming out like never before. As the New World Order angle began dominating WCW programming, WWE found itself on the receiving end of an ass kicking so royal there were questions about the company's ability to sustain itself. And rightfully so. The company decided the best way to combat the awesomeness of heel Hulk Hogan, the Outsiders and the unpredictability of Monday Nitro with a show featuring wrestling plumbers, trash collectors and hog farmers. They deserved to get slaughtered the way they were and their next attempt at grabbing back some of the viewers only backed up that sentiment. Jim Ross revealed on commentary that Razor Ramon and Diesel were on their way back to WWE. This, despite Kevin Nash and Scott Hall dominating the airwaves in WCW. Then it happened. The Bad Guy and Big Daddy Cool returned to the airwaves and the crowd...went...mild.

Two impostors, one who looked eerily similar to a certain Big Red Monster that would debut a year later, filled the roles. The company had intentionally deceived the audience, breaking the trust they had built with fans. It was a dirty, underhanded attempt to cash in on two stars no longer with the company, two stars Vince McMahon knew full well had a connection with his fans. The move could have been catastrophic and chased fans away. Instead, and luckily for WWE, it was yet another poor idea on top of a plethora of them in 1996.