10 Things You Didn't Know About Road Warrior Animal

8. He Publicly Scanted Verne Gagne

Verne Gagne AWA Champion
WWE

Generally speaking, pro wrestling rookies keep their mouths shut, their ears open and their eyes on the prize (that "prize" being more money if they improve as a worker). They certainly don't run the risk of publicly disrespecting one of the most powerful men in the entire industry.

Animal did.

He once told The Hannibal TV that he "pantsied" AWA promoter Verne Gagne in front of almost the entire locker room right before a TV taping in the mid-80s. Even both Steiner Brothers, who were looking on in disbelief, admitted to Animal that they wouldn't have done anything so ballsy.

Animal's reply was, "What's he going to do? Fire us?". He and Hawk knew they were already one of the most marketable acts in the business, and they also knew that ol' Verne needed all the money-making performers he could muster for his fading product.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.