10 Most Unprofessional Performances In WWE History

He should call it the five knuckle shovel.

Shawn Michaels Sweet Chin Music Hulk Hogan
WWE.com

Ego is incredibly rife in pro wrestling, and has been since its origins in travelling carnivals. Mostly, though, personal issues are forgotten between the ropes or on the microphone, and there is a very clear remit on professionalism and respect. Wrestlers are meant to do everything possible to fulfil the shared objectives of a match, go to the back when it's over, and shake one another's hand.

There are occasions, however, where this shared code of conduct is transgressed upon. Wrestlers have been concerned for and protective of their spot to such an extent that they'd rather bury their foes than relinquish it. They have thrown their weight around to opponents coming in from different promotions just to try and prove their superiority. In some extreme cases, they have also done everything in their power to make their opponent look silly.

Despite being the first to remind new stars about the unwritten codes governing wrestling, some of WWE's biggest ever names have been guilty of turning their back on the spirit of the industry in the past. Here, we take a look at the worst offenders...

10. Kane & The Undertaker Vs. DDP & Kanyon - WWF SummerSlam 2001

JBL One Night Stand
Wiki

Presented as part of the Invasion angle, this laughably one-sided tag team cage collision probably wasn't too amusing for Diamond Dallas Page.

Alongside Booker T, he was one of just two thoroughbred WCW stars not to wait out their cushy Time Warner contracts. You'd think his keenness and star power would be recognised, but he instead debuted, inexplicably, as a perverted stalker.

The endgame of this risible and nonsensical angle took place in a steel cage match, during which Page and partner Kenyon were roughly thrown around the ring like jobbers for almost the entire duration. His opponents were apt, because his career was dead and buried that night.

'Taker, WWF standard bearer, seemed to take the Invasion personally for some unfathomable reason. Though, looking at it cynically, he was probably acting as Vince McMahon's lieutenant. At one point, with Page wedged between the ropes and the cage, he smashed him with three consecutive splashes with such excessive power, he almost took it off its hinges. The force used in this bout was completely unnecessary, and the layout was insanely counterproductive.

'Taker didn't even celebrate any of his multiple title wins with the conviction he did here.

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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!