10 Times WWE Hurt Itself By Punishing Its Stars

7. Chris Jericho Assaults The Brazilian Flag

In May 2012, Chris Jericho and CM Punk were wrestling at a live event - a house show - in Brazil when Jericho, heeling it up as usual back in those days, screwed up a Brazilian flag in the middle of the ring, before giving it a soft punt.

That might have been that, except this was Brazil, and you don't disrespect the flag in Brazil. Called out immediately over the incident, Jericho was told that he'd have to apologise or cut the event short, and he got on the mic immediately to do so, allowing the match to resume. Backstage, however, things weren't as rosy. Jericho was asked to leave the country, and given a police escort - with flashing lights - to the airport.

He'd later claim that a police colonel at the venue had wanted to throw him into prison there and then. Vince made a few calls and managed to get Jericho a quick flight out of the country to Guatemala, and from there back to the USA. To placate the Brazilian authorities and ensure that the company had no problems in the lucrative South American market, Jericho was suspended for thirty days, losing him the spot in a high profile feud that was being prepared for him. That, Jericho had no problem with, but when he was informed that he'd be fined too (to the tune of what he describes as in the 'high five figures' - ie something over $50,000), Jericho simply told him that he wouldn't pay it, and he wouldn't be coming back to wrestle for them again.

He was already aggrieved that McMahon had backed down so quickly - the money added injury to insult. When Triple H called him to try and calm things down, Jericho hung up on him. Finally, when Vince dropped the fine to ten grand, the matter was sorted out - although Jericho maintains that he never paid the fine, and never will. $10,000 probably wasn't worth quibbling over to retain one of their most important stars.