10 Real-Life WWE Feuds That Were Too Hot For TV
Which backstage rivalries were so intense that WWE was never able to get them to the ring?
Plenty of articles have been written about the real life rivalries that rocked the world of sports entertainment. The most talked about feuds, such as the ones involving Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, and many besides, were just as fierce behind the curtain as they were in front of it.
Not every backstage rivalry is as lucky. At least those men made significant money in spite or because of the toxic tension surrounding them.
What about those intense backstage conflicts that didn't make it in front of the curtain? How come the WWE superstars involved in those rivalries weren't able to turn their real life heat into real life dollars?
Sometimes, the heat between the talents was too real. The personal disdain was so strong that they were unable to put aside their differences to work with - and trust - one another in the ring. These rivalries haven't been given the attention they deserve... until now.
These were legitimate backstage feuds that were too hot for WWE television and never made it to the ring...
10. Randy Orton Vs. Mr. Kennedy
Like several stars discussed in this article, Randy Orton has had a colorful history as a WWE superstar. Backstage ribs, an arrogant attitude, and endless in-ring potential have combined to give Randy Orton a unique reputation - but perhaps his most infamous backstage blow-up came against Mr. Ken Kennedy in 2009.
Mr. Kennedy had just returned from a shoulder injury when he was put into a 10-man tag match opposite Orton's team on the 25 May 2009 edition of RAW. The match saw Randy land awkwardly after taking a back bodydrop from Kennedy - leading to the end of Kennedy's once-promising WWE career.
Kennedy has since given various shoot interviews claiming that Orton complained to Vince McMahon about him being an unsafe worker, and that Orton even convinced John Cena to support him in this claim. Given the two stars' status at the time, that was enough for McMahon to terminate Kennedy just days after his return from injury.
Needless to say, Orton and Kennedy would've made for a great on-screen rivarly. Unfortunately, since Kennedy left WWE, the two have never had the chance to turn their real-life heat into real-life dollars.