10 Wrestlers Who Purposefully Deceived Promoters

4. Rick Rude

Rick Rude Nitro
WWE Network

Rick Rude pulled a fast one on promoters twice during his legendary ring career.

In 1987, he was one half of the NWA Tag-Team Champions in Jim Crockett Promotions with Manny Fernandez. Their 'Awesome Twosome' team disbanded when Rude suddenly scarpered for the WWF without telling anyone; that killed any chance of the duo's feud with The Rock N' Roll Express having a conclusion.

Around 10 years later, the 'Ravishing' one was at it again when he traded the WWF for WCW on the 17 November 1997 Nitro. Much to everyone's surprise, Rude appeared (with a moustache) on WCW's live show and criticised Vince McMahon, D-Generation X and others. Approx one hour later, Rude also showed up on the pre-taped Raw without his facial hair.

He became the first man to perform on both Raw and Nitro on the exact same night. Angered by the events of the 'Montreal Screwjob', Rude had used his pay-per-appearance WWF deal and contractual freedom to ink terms with Eric Bischoff and WCW behind McMahon's back.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.