10 Times WWE Went Too Far

2. Hawk's Attempted Suicide

Kane Lita
WWE

Life wasn't easy for Road Warrior Hawk, whose struggles with drug and alcohol addiction were devastating.

His personal problems should have never been made part of a storyline, but WWE did just that in 1998. Vince Russo's drive for harder, edgier programming in the Attitude Era's nascent stages saw them exploit Hawk's issues against both his and partner Animal's wishes. A horrific programme saw him show up to bouts in various stages of intoxication, culminating in one of the most controversial angles of all time, as the Legion of Doom member scaled the TitanTron, ready to leal, before Puke, his other major ally, shoved him off.

Puke then announced that he was the one plying Hawk with drugs and alcohol in the first place. He wanted his spot in LoD, and these were his methods.

This unsurprisingly led to both Hawk and Animal quitting the company in protest, not returning until WWE called them in for a one-night angle with World Tag Team Champions Kane and Rob Van Dam in May 2003. It's a miracle they said "yes," given what they'd put them through five years prior.

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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.