10 INSANE WWE International Incidents

2. The Plane Ride From Hell, Part I

Can I Borrow A Feeling
WWE.com

May 5, 2002, marks two legendary occasions in the history of professional wrestling. The WWF “got the F out” via the enforced name change to WWE, and its roster also ran out of F*cks on the infamous black comedy generator that was the Plane Ride From Hell incident.

Returning home from a European tour, a stacked roster of party animals and egotists, many of whom were mired in drastic struggles with addiction, were fenced in on a long-haul flight…

...with a full and open bar.

Setting the tone from the top, influential backstage official Michael Hayes proceeded to drink himself into oblivion and, very nearly, out of a job: believing himself to be in the bathroom, and not directly in front of the wife of his boss, only a near-blackout state of f*cked up saved him from urinating in her lap. He could only tug unsuccessfully at his zip before being led away.

Ric Flair allegedly strutted down the aisle of the plane, in just his robe, pestering stewardesses to presumably ride Space Mountain there and then—two of which, Taralyn Cappellano and Heidi Doyle, successfully sought out of court damages, citing “forcible detainment” and “sexual assault”.

Furthermore…

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!