WCW generated a decorated legacy in professional wrestling that many fans still cherish. An organization that gave fans the New World Order, Sting, Goldberg, and many more legendary acts.
WCW also has moments that deserve more recognition among its legacy. Furthermore, as WCW's also not shy from exhibiting controversial TV, here are ten controversial promos that some fans may not remember.
Looking at the ten controversial WCW promos that deserve more recognition, promos from wrestlers including Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
10 Dustin Rhodes's WCW Return As "Seven"
After vignettes that a new character named Seven was going to debut on WCW programming, Dustin Rhodes returned to WCW as Seven on a November 1999 episode of Monday Nitro. However, almost immediately after entering the ring as Seven, Dustin Rhodes cut a worked shoot promo dismissing his "Seven" gimmick and the perceived notion that he had to wrestle in goofy characters.
Aside from the concerning nature of the "Seven" gimmick, which Warner officials worried the character could get misinterpreted as a child abductor, what also made Dustin Rhodes's shoot promo controversial as he went on to trash his former "Goldust" persona. Dubbing himself the "American Nightmare" and effectively killing off Seven, Dustin Rhodes went on to state in his work shoot that the "Goldust" and "Seven" gimmicks can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
9 Hulk Hogan Calls Out Vince Russo In His Final WCW Appearance
WCW Bash at the Beach 2000 is among the most controversial professional wrestling PPV events, stemming from Hulk Hogan's victory over Jeff Jarrett to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. With Jeff Jarrett taking the fall for Hulk Hogan to win the belt, Hulk Hogan became visibly frustrated over the events that occurred.
Furthermore, Hulk Hogan picked up a microphone and called out Vince Russo for what had transpired during the ring, stating that WCW was in bad shape because of "bull**** like this." After that, Hulk Hogan pinned Jeff Jarrett to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and walked out of the ring, marking his final appearance in WCW.
8 Vince Russo Unloads On Hulk Hogan In 2000
The controversy from the Bash at the Beach 2000 PPV continued following the Hulk Hogan vs. Jeff Jarrett match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. After Hulk Hogan walked out, Vince Russo stormed into the ring and cut a profane-laced shoot promo on Hulk Hogan for his refusal to lose to Jeff Jarrett, promising to crown a new champion by the end of the PPV.
Arguably the best in-ring promo of Vince Russo, it wasn't left without legal ramifications as Hulk Hogan tried to sue him for defamation of character. The suit got later dismissed in 2003.
7 Hulk Hogan Burns A Wrestling Observer Newsletter On PPV
For a long time, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer had always been a polarizing figure in the professional wrestling industry. And although his name gets hardly mentioned on TV, Hulk Hogan decided to take a shot at Dave Meltzer at the WCW World War III PPV.
In late 1995, Dave Meltzer accurately reported that "Macho Man" Randy Savage was suffering from a legit injury. Dave Meltzer's reporting led to Hulk Hogan appearing alongside Randy Savage and Sting at WCW World War III during an interview with "Mean Gean" Okerlund, proceeding to burn a copy of the Wrestling Observer to discredit Dave Meltzer's reporting.
6 Ric Flair Suffers A "Heart Attack" On Nitro
Heart attack segments are arguably among the most controversial angles in professional wrestling. The reason is some of these segments have been deemed distasteful by many fans and critics alike.
On a December 1998 episode of WCW Nitro, Ric Flair gave an intense promo in the ring, calling out Eric Bischoff ahead of their match at the WCW Starrcade 1998 PPV. After Ric Flair exhausted himself over his aggressive promo on Eric Biscoff, he fell to the canvas in pain. Looking like he had a heart attack, the medical personnel went to aid Ric Flair as this entire segment looked realistic, even though the heart attack was fake.
5 Eddie Guerrero Wanting To Quit WCW
Many felt Eddie Guerrero could've been a main-event player for WCW. On an August 1998 episode of WCW Nitro, Eddie Guerrero stormed into the ring wearing his street clothes and cut a work shoot against Eric Bischoff for his refusal to push young wrestlers like himself.
As Eddie Guerrero alleged that Eric Bischoff was personally trying to keep him from getting elevated in WCW in his promo, he went on to ask for his release from the company. And while this promo was a worked shoot and Eddie Guerrero to stuck around in WCW for the next two years, one thing that made his promo controversial was the real-life frustrations Eddie Guerrero had towards Eric Bischoff over his position in WCW.
4 Scott Steiner Bashes Ric Flair And WCW
In 2000, "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner was on another level of insanity, especially regarding his overly-aggressive tone when cutting promos. And while his promos are part of the appeal of his on-screen character, it was only a matter of time before one of his verbal barrages would wind him in trouble.
In one of the most controversial promos in WCW, Scott Steiner cut a worked shoot profane-laced promo on Ric Flair on a February 2000 episode of WCW Nitro, calling Ric Flair a rip-off of Buddy Rodgers while stating WCW "sucks!" He got a two-week suspension following his promo.
3 NWO Mocks The Four Horsemen
The Four Horsemen gets considered by many to be the best faction in professional wrestling. However, even they weren't above getting ridiculed on live TV in a controversial-like fashion, at least in WCW.
On an August 1997 episode of WCW Nitro, the New World Order decided to do a comedic impersonation of the Four Horsemen in the middle of the ring. Members of The Four Horsemen were allegedly not happy with the impersonation, especially with Kevin Nash's ridiculous parody of Arn Anderson.
2 Chucky's Idle Threat To Rick Steiner
Professional wrestling is supposed to be about entertainment, as one should expect the unexpected when watching a professional wrestling show. However, some things just don't mix in professional wrestling, even if it's supposed to be for entertainment purposes.
On an October 1998 episode of WCW Nitro, Chucky from the Child's Play movie franchise calls out Rick Steiner, who was getting interviewed in the ring by "Mean Gene" Okerlund. Chucky may be a known figure in pop culture, but having a doll call out Rick Steiner on live TV with no payoff didn't make WCW look very good in the slightest.
1 Scott Steiner's Assault On Diamond Dallas Page And His Wife
It's well known that Scott Steiner and Diamond Dallas Page weren't the best of friends in WCW. And while Scott Steiner and Diamond Dallas Page's animosity gets mainly showcased on TV for entertainment, one of Scott Steiner's promos led to a real-life fight backstage.
On a February 1999 episode of WCW Nitro, Scott Steiner launched an unscripted verbal assault on Diamond Dallas Page and his wife Kimberly in an in-ring promo. While this promo followed Scott Steiner's win over Diamond Dallas Page at the SuperBrawl IX PPV, it's worth noting that Scott Steiner also had real-life issues with Kimberly.
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