WWE has a great reputation among the internet wrestling community. A great reputation for, more often than not, ignoring public opinion and snubbing fans wishes in order to pursue their sometimes wildly illogical aims. It's well known that hardly a single creative decision is made without being signed off by the comically evil (at least in character) Vincent K McMahon and as a result that's often where the fans choose to leave the buck of blame. Sometimes though the company can take things a little too far and not only ignore their fans (remember this is really the only sport in the world where those in charge could choose to satisfy the fans with a simple swipe of a pen) but actively, it seems, seeks to upset them and cause consternation. In recent times WWE has pushed a good proportion of its fanbase away only to cleverly pull them back in just before it was too late. They walk a fine line, a tightrope that if balanced incorrectly could lead to disaster for them as a company. Here we're going to look at a dozen instances that either left fans slack-jawed with incomprehension, slapping their foreheads in disbelief or, occasionally, switching off the TV and vowing "never again!"
12. Undertaker's Streak Ends At Wrestlemania 30
When the part-time Beast Brock Lesnar hit that third F5 and held the Deadman down for a 3 count at Wrestlemania 30 the immediate feeling both in the New Orleans Superdome (yes, Hogan, SUPERdome) and among the millions watching at home was absolute disbelief. The match itself had been a largely uninteresting, a slow-paced effort apparently lead by Lesnar following Undertaker's concussion which occurred early in the match. After downing opponents like Ric Flair, Triple H, CM Punk and Shawn Michaels in five star matches to earn a 21-0 'Mania streak, WWE chose to have 'Taker go 21-1 to the ex-UFC champ following a tepid build-up and unspectacular bout in the ring. To have the most famous statistic in a sport that shuns stats altered in such a seemingly offhand fashion irked both internet fans, who couldn't understand why a legend would be dethroned by a part-timer, and those who still stick to kayfabe - they simply couldn't comprehend how this absolute savage had defeated their hero. Of course the tears and jeers gave way to a "lightbulb" moment of understanding for many when Lesnar faced and demolished John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight title at Summerslam. It was now very clear that Lesnar was being portrayed as indestructible and that his victory of the legendary Undertaker was simply the first step down that road. While it all made sense in the end (to non-Cena/Taker fans at least) WWE really did appear to have lost the faith of many of their followers in that seemingly inexplicable moment.
Originally from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, now residing in East London with my wife and cat. I'm a member of Ghost Carriage Phantoms, co-owner of Marketstall Records, Editor of #flatoutfucked fanzine, a regular contributor to various music/culture websites and the co-author of a couple of scripts, mired in the endless hell of pre-production.
