10 Times WWE Fans Were Outraged At WrestleMania

2. The Hanging Of The Big Boss Man

Mania Outrage Thumb
WWE.com

What is WrestleCrap pantomime viewed through a 2020 lens was rather disturbing at the time.

At WrestleMania XV, the Undertaker fought the Big Boss Man in a dull, botch-ridden Hell In A Cell match mired by a strange all-heel dynamic and a comprehensive lack of the artistry and lunacy the gimmick had conditioned fans to expect. A bland procession of punches was the least offensive element of this presentation; at the finish, summoned, the Brood descended on top of the structure, and it looked preposterous. They were meant to look like fallen angels or some b*llocks, but you could see the wires they were very careful to remove, and even in spite of such obvious farce, the scene that followed was still too harrowing to not receive without anxiety. The Ministry wrapped a noose around Boss Man's neck and hung him from the ascending Cell, as the Boss Man, all flailing legs and horrifically bloated face, convincingly emulated his passing.

It was the work of a 15 year-old scrolling between a black metal forum and his e-fed, and Michael Cole calmly and immediately threw us over to highlights from the WrestleMania Rage Party, so even the more innocent fans must have known it was bullsh*t.

The live fans did not react to it, whether they were appalled or merely bored - but this grim scene repulsed enough watching on pay-per-view that it furthered the company's perception as a tasteless crusade in offensive schlock.

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!