10 WWE Betrayals That Were Totally Justified

2. Rocky Maivia (1997)

Rocky Maivia Faarooq Nation Of Domination
WWE.com

This entry could be summed up as thus: popular, smiling young babyface with wrestling heritage turns on fans because they wanted him to die.

Anyone who didn't live through 1996-1997 might raise an eyebrow at the wording there, but it's true. By early 1997, some in the crowd started holding up signs saying, 'Die, Rocky, Die' and chanted the same during his matches. Suddenly, the WWF's new blue-chip prospect had reason to be blue for real.

Following a few months off to heal a knee injury, Rocky Maivia returned and joined the villainous Nation Of Domination. How could he!? Why would Rocky turn his back on the fans and become part of Faarooq's militant gang? Maybe because audiences had encouraged him to drop dead. That might be why.

The truth is that Rocky, who had only tried to entertain the fans and do his family lineage proud, had every right to scoff at any remaining support and look after himself instead.

This wouldn't be the last time The Rock had that power...

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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.