7 WWE Suspensions Nobody Saw Coming

4. Chris Jericho (2012)

Rey Mysterio 2009
WWE.com

In one of his popular autobiographies, Chris Jericho recanted in-depth the circumstances that led to a suspension in 2012. Apoplectic about the entire scenario, the wrestler was seething that WWE didn't appear to be backing him up, instead looking to distance themselves from the trouble. It all started at a routine house show, when the Canadian sought some easy heel heat.

During a WWE live event in Brazil, Y2J decided to ball up the national flag of the country, toss it to the ground and aim a swift kick at it. In Brazil, that is viewed as more than just the actions of a disrespectful wrestling villain, Jericho very nearly incited a riot.

The show was stopped for a short while, and the star had to break character to apologise over the microphone. Only then could the show go on, but the problems didn't stop there for WWE. Afterwards, an incensed Vince McMahon decided to suspend Jericho for 30 days, leading to arguments on both sides about the incident.

It's all water under the bridge now, but Jericho remains one of the most unique victims of a WWE suspension in history.

In this post: 
Rey Mysterio
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

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.