12 Wrestling Stars Who Profited From Controversy

8. Rey Mysterio

Wrestling fans were devastated when beloved superstar Eddie Guerrero passed away in the fall of 2005, and after a good two weeks of mourning, WWE saw dollar signs in an exploitation of their employee's death. Rey Mysterio - who was Eddie's close friend in real life and a sometimes-friend-sometimes-enemy on TV - was pushed hard by the company, with WWE higher-ups hoping that fan sympathy would translate into support for the superstar. Needless to say, Rey had the talent to merit any level of push, but many fans were uncomfortable with the repeated reference to Guerrero that ensued. Heels would antagonize Mysterio by insulting Eddie, and things reached a head after Rey won the Royal Rumble. On the following episode of Smackdown, Mysterio dedicated his victory to Guerrero, but Rumble also-ran Randy Orton interrupted, goading the winner into violence by telling him that Guerrero was in hell, not heaven. The angle disgusted many fans and insiders - including Mick Foley, who wrote an op-ed published on WWE.com that condemned the booking of the entire storyline. Real-life friends Orton and Mysterio were reportedly deeply uncomfortable with the whole thing, but continued to do as told. The whole storyline culminated at WrestleMania XXII, where Mysterio won the World Heavyweight Championship in a match with Orton and Kurt Angle. The whole thing was over and, worth it or not, Rey Mysterio was a main eventer.