10 Times WWE Went Too Far

4. Eddiesploitation

Kane Lita
WWE.com

An electric, charismatic performer whose near-universal love among wrestling fans was matched only by the respect he commanded behind the scenes, Eddie Guerrero's November 2005 passing hit like a mortar blast. It was the worst kind of shock, made even more tragic by reports that he was set to win the World Heavyweight Championship the night his body was found in his hotel room, and it jolted the sport to its core, with WWE airing a tasteful, well-done tribute on the next episode of Raw.

Unfortunately, WWE's next step was utterly heinous, and undid all the goodwill earned that night. The build towards the 2006 Royal Rumble focused around Rey Mysterio "doing it for Eddie." This got a tad gratuitous when Rey started riding down to the ring in lowriders, but it wasn't a problem in itself.

The ensuing feud with Randy Orton most certainly was.

WWE decided to have 'The Legend Killer' use Guerrero's passing to draw heat, the infamy peaking with Orton spitting the line "Eddie ain't in heaven... Eddie's down there in hell!" right in his opponent's face. It succeeded more in making fans hate the writers than it did Randy.

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Channel Manager
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.