From beloved icons to controversial figures, we're diving into the stories of professional wrestlers who lost their fans' respect. Explore the journeys of wrestlers whose reputations dramatically shifted, revealing the complex world behind the wrestling curtain.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at once-celebrated professional wrestlers
00:12who saw their adoring reputations plummet.
00:15We'll be focusing on individuals known primarily for their in-ring performances, excluding
00:21now-embattled pro wrestling personalities.
00:40Once a fan favourite for his over-the-top adult film star persona, Val Venis, Shawn
00:46Morley was a constant source of entertainment during the WWE's Attitude Era.
00:53However, the former Intercontinental Champion saw his devoted fanbase dwindle thanks to
01:04a series of outspoken and controversial political views on social media.
01:10His constant abrasive rants, often centred around far-reaching conspiracy theories, alienated
01:16many of his supporters.
01:18Admirers, who once enjoyed his cheeky in-ring antics, quickly found it hard to reconcile
01:23his wrestling persona with his real-life divisive social stances.
01:28Unfortunately for the Big Val Boski, it seems his popularity has completely fizzled out.
01:38Ronda Rousey burst onto the wrestling scene in 2018 with massive fanfare, this thanks
01:49to her crossover celebrity status and accomplishments in the world of mixed martial arts.
01:55While she was initially adored for her authenticity, Ronda's perceived disdainful attitude toward
02:01wrestling fans and the industry quickly soured her reputation.
02:05The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion unsurprisingly faced backlash for criticising
02:11the wrestling community.
02:35Despite her undeniable athleticism, Rousey's public attitude caused her to lose the goodwill
02:41she initially enjoyed, with many believing she didn't truly appreciate the unique
02:46world of professional wrestling.
02:50At one point in time, Enzo Amore was among the most popular WWE superstars on the roster.
02:55As a major star in NXT, Enzo and Big Cass captivated audiences when called up to the
03:02main roster.
03:08However, as the duo split up and Enzo developed a reputation for being a backstage nuisance,
03:17fan support started to diminish.
03:23Making matters worse, the charismatic performer was accused of a serious indecent assault
03:28stemming from an encounter at a Phoenix Hotel in 2017.
03:32Despite a major push by the company, Enzo was ultimately terminated in 2018 and neither
03:38his career nor public support ever recovered.
03:45The Fabulous Moolah!
03:47The Fabulous One was once heralded as a trailblazer for women's wrestling, holding a championship
03:52reign for literal decades.
04:02Moolah would later be a celebrated fixture during WWE's Attitude Era, often appearing
04:08in entertaining segments alongside fellow female wrestling pioneer, Mae Young.
04:16However, stories of her sordid past eventually came to light, with details of abusive behaviour
04:22toward trainees, financial manipulation and allegations of serious exploitation.
04:39This all led to a re-evaluation of her role within the company.
04:43Unsurprisingly, the WWE and wrestling fans alike have since distanced themselves from
04:48Moolah's tarnished legacy, which once represented women's empowerment.
05:04Alberto Del Rio
05:06Alberto Del Rio achieved great success in WWE within a short period of time, even becoming
05:12the company's first Mexico-born world champion.
05:15However, his career would ultimately be marred by troubling incidents outside of the squared
05:20circle.
05:21Subsequent legal troubles, including accusations of domestic violence, sexual assault and erratic
05:27behaviour have tarnished Del Rio's once promising legacy.
05:35His outspoken nature and public feuds have also done little to endear him to the fans
05:40who had initially rooted for his success.
05:52Once seen as a future legend in the business, Alberto now serves as a cautionary tale.
05:58Brock Lesnar
05:59Brock Lesnar has always been a polarising figure.
06:02While his physical dominance and star power can't be denied, fans became vocally frustrated
06:07with his part-time schedule and limited appearance over the years.
06:22Lesnar's tendency to dominate storylines and main event feuds, while putting in a perceived
06:28minimal effort, made audiences feel like he was taking opportunities from more deserving
06:33full-time talent.
06:35Lesnar's name also received tarnishing thanks in part to the damning allegations levied
06:40against Vince McMahon as part of a lawsuit filed by Janelle Grant.
06:57The former WWE paralegal claimed in part that McMahon offered encounters with her to persuade
07:03Lesnar to re-sign with the company during contract negotiations.
07:08Ryback
07:09Ryback once had fans chanting, ''Feed me more'', generating a significant following
07:14during his rise in WWE.
07:19However, after leaving the company in 2016, the powerhouse performer's often bitter
07:25criticism and outspoken views on wrestling business practices quickly painted him in
07:31a less favourable light.
07:36Frequently criticised for coming across as entitled and disrespectful, Ryback's online
07:42behaviour has alienated his past fans, many of whom now actively root against him.
07:49This was evident in 2021 when Ryback engaged fans with an online poll asking what they
07:55wanted to see him do next.
07:57Along with various wrestling promotions, Ryback listed an option for retirement which, you
08:03guessed it, garnered the most votes.
08:10The Ultimate Warrior
08:12Without question, The Ultimate Warrior was a beloved icon of the 80s and 90s, captivating
08:18audiences with his unmatched intensity.
08:25However, Warrior's backstage behaviour and controversial comments would ultimately tarnish
08:34his legacy.
08:36His publicised clashes with Vince McMahon and a reported tendency to no-show events
08:41earned him a reputation as difficult to work with.
08:53His status suffered another major blow when controversial speeches he made about various
08:58groups, including the LGBTQ community, came to light.
09:02And while his eventual induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, and the amends he made before
09:08his passing have helped repair the damage, many simply remember The Ultimate Warrior
09:12as a deeply flawed person.
09:15Hulk Hogan
09:16For millions, Hulk Hogan was the face of professional wrestling, not to mention a global hero.
09:28Heck, even the Hulkster's infamous WCW heel turn managed to draw lapsed fans back to his
09:35Unfortunately, Hogan's career has taken a nosedive since hanging up his boots.
09:54For one, a leaked tape revealing racist remarks led to significant backlash from fans, friends
10:01and colleagues alike.
10:14Hulk's past locker-room politics have also been called into question, as well as his
10:19penchant for bending the truth in his favour.
10:22Hogan's public political stance has also further polarised him from a segment of the
10:27audience.
10:28I suppose that explains why he was nearly booed out of the building on Netflix's Raw
10:33debut.
10:56Chris Benoit
10:58Wrestling fans in the mid-90s and early 2000s would have been quick to point to Chris Benoit
11:03as the pound-for-pound greatest technical wrestler in the world.
11:08His matches and a variety of promotions consistently wowed fans, making him a must-watch performer.
11:14However, unimaginable tragic events made Benoit infamous for a completely different reason.
11:20When details emerged regarding the shocking fate of Benoit and his family, the wrestler's
11:25actions devastated his fanbase.
11:35WWE has since distanced themselves from his memory altogether, and Chris has essentially
11:40been scrubbed from pro-wrestling history.
11:48Which wrestler's fall from grace shocked you the most?
11:51Share your thoughts down in the comments.