10 Most Infamous WWE Ruthless Aggression Era Controversies

9. The Katie Vick Angle

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Attitudes towards sexual assault are changing, mercifully. The statistics of its prevalence are harrowing, and many industries have faced a well-overdue reckoning as brave survivors have come forward in recent years.

This awful, deeply entrenched fact of life was only really illuminated to those who refused to see it, which might explain why so many wrestling fans were far more upset over the 'Katie Vick' angle than the storyline in which the Kane character raped Lita offscreen. Lita later aligned with her babyface (!) abuser, too. This isn't however a list of Most Repugnant Ruthless Aggression Moments; it's a list premised on controversies, and sadly, tellingly, more people were upset that Triple H simulated necrophilia in an infamous 2002 skit. This is no defence of the Katie Vick angle - the storyline was abhorrent - but rather a reminder of where priorities should really lie.

After the simulated act, Triple H on Raw had a laugh at the fans who buried the angle en masse with his "Did I offend you?" bullsh*t, the same thing he often did and does in the face of criticism. You and Mark are still going to watch, how's-your-territory-doing etc.

WWE's audience did diminish between 2002 and 2003, so if there was anything he did actually screw, it was interest in his tedious main event act.

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!