10 Worst WWE Moments Of 2001
2. Vince Makes Trish Bark “Like A Dog”
When asked, Trish Stratus has usually been upbeat about this infamous angle, but it's one that repeatedly pops up when fans discuss the worst of 2001. On the 5 March 2001 episode of Raw, despotic tyrant Mr. McMahon chastised his onscreen mistress Trish and erm...told her to get down on her hands and knees after stripping to her underwear. After that, Vince told Stratus to "bark like a dog".
Some who palm this off seem to miss the point of complaints. Women of the "Diva" era were definitely used as "eye candy". They were on the roster to break things up between heated matches, and they were always eye-catching. Trish was definitely gorgeous (she still is!), so nobody upset about this in retrospect points a finger of blame at her for using looks to her advantage.
The unfortunate bit comes when analysing McMahon's power fantasy and the fact that Trish's character was deliberately demeaned so people could whoop, holler and wolf whistle as she cried whilst stripping. It was a bit much, and that's being generous here. There were ways for the Mr. McMahon character to put across his disappointment in Stratus without turning her into a borderline (and unwilling) sex toy.
Eek.
This is treacherous ground to talk about in 2025, obviously. McMahon is currently under intense scrutiny for his behaviour off screen over the years, and he's been disgraced then deposed as WWE boss. Segments like this one from March 2001 do not sit well when viewed today. It isn't too far to suggest that this just didn't need to happen.
There's plenty of ace Trish content to enjoy from a rich career that's still sporadically ongoing. This segment doesn't define her role.