10 Times WWE Went Too Far

9. Exploiting Reid Flair

Kane Lita
WWE

Charlotte vs. Paige could (and should) have been an awesome feud. It was a pre-Women's Revolution standard-bearer facing off with the movement's new leader, and while Charlotte was still very much a developing prospect and the writers had greatly undermined Paige post-Divas Title run, they'd have almost certainly made magic together with the right creative approach.

Instead, WWE decided to exploit the death of Charlotte's brother, Reid Flair, who suffered a fatal overdose two years prior.

Less than a week before their Survivor Series match, Charlotte dedicated the upcoming bout to her departed sibling. Paige retorted in tasteless fashion, saying "your little baby brother... he didn't have much fight in him, did he?", prompting complete and utter disbelief from all who witnessed it, and visible discomfort from both participants.

Scripting this line was cold as ice. Paige clearly wasn't happy about it, and to make matters worse, WWE didn't even ask Reid's family for permission to use his passing to build heat. The backlash was entirely earned. Wrestling Observer readers soon voted it 2015's Most Disgusting Promotional tactic, and it remains the Revolution's darkest hour.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.