WWE thrives on controversy, and there have been many memorable moments that pushed the boundaries of taste and decency through the years. Under Vince McMahon, the institute itself has undergone some controversial changes, including an ill-fated attempt to create a WWF casino back in the late 1990s. You never know what’s coming next with WWE gambling – CasinoPilot could even announce a collaboration with online casinos Canada for all anyone knows. Here we remember some of the most divisive and debated stars in WWE history.
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10. D-Generation X
During the late 90s, WWE was trying out a new, edgier tone – and one group of characters in particular seemed to positively thrive on provocation. Team founding members Triple H, Chyna, Shawn Michaels and Rick Rude enjoyed pushing the censors’ buttons with their liberal use of profanities in and out of the ring. While it may not have bothered the rest of the world quite so much, in the US where wrestling is family entertainment and bad language especially frowned-upon, the epithets used by the group rustled the feathers of a lot of concerned parents.
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9. Billy and Chuck
With similar looks, Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo played up their closeness and hinted that they were partners in more ways than one. The sweethearts story came to a head when the pair almost underwent a life partnership ceremony live on air, only to announce that the whole thing was nothing more than a publicity stunt. WWE came under fire from campaign group the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, who had been brought in as consultants under what they claimed to be false pretenses.
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8. Goldust
Dustin Rhodes, so the story goes, agreed to take on the androgynous persona of Goldust without knowing precisely what androgynous meant. Despite the controversial nature of the character, especially in the early years of the mid 90s, Goldust has proved to have incredible staying power. Never shy about pushing boundaries, it is alleged that Rhodes himself suggested getting breast implants for the sake of the show. It’s certain that Goldust would not have continued had they not toned it down in response to complaints.
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7. Kerwin White
Chavo Guerrero Jr. professes not to regret his short stint as Kerwin White, a character that cast Mexican Guerrero as a golf-playing racist white man. These days Guerrero expresses gratitude for a role that put him on the map, while also joking that he managed to be the ultimate heel – absolutely everyone hated him.
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6. Beaver Cleavage
Another mercifully short-lived gimmick character was Charles Warrington (AKA Mosh) as Beaver Cleavage. Not even WWE fans, who love a good controversy, could get comfortable with the innuendos shared between Warrington and a lady claiming to be his mother. Not the last contentious story involving Warrington, but certainly the most stomach-churning.
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5. The Godfather
With his entourage of scantily-clad ladies, a mix of wrestlers and dancers from local clubs, The Godfather certainly knew how to make an entrance. The misogynistic overtones and drug references invoked the wrath of the Parents Television Council when the character was featured on prime-time TV in 2000. WWE were forced to dial it back, but couldn’t help poking fun at the PTC when they added the re-named Goodfather to the Right to Censor stable.
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4. Eugene
Nick Dinsmore was an accomplished wrestler, but for his WWE debut he needed more personality. Almost everyone agrees that they went overboard with Eugene, a parody of a developmentally disabled man with a special wrestling ability. Even so, the character persisted for three years with a brief return appearance in 2009. WWE claimed that Eugene was a triumph of inclusivity, but audiences weren’t so sure.
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3. The Fabulous Moolah
Unlike most of the others on this list, the wrestler born Mary Lillian Ellison is a controversial figure because of her antics outside the ring. Although hailed as a trailblazer for women’s wrestling, The Fabulous Moolah’s reputation took a posthumous nosedive and her career was forever tarnished by revelations of financial and sexual misconduct. Despite these unsavoury facts, even some of her victims have spoken in support of her legacy.
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2. Lars Sullivan
Another wrestler whose controversies stem from his personal life, Sullivan was released by WWE after years of accusations relating to online comments he had allegedly made. Although it has never been fully confirmed that the comments came from Sullivan’s account – they were written under a pseudonym – the wrestler has made reference to the content in apologies. Offensive to almost every group imaginable, controversy made Sullivan unpopular with fans and colleagues alike.
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1. Muhammad Hassan
One of the most perfect examples of character-based WWE controversy was the Italian Marc Copani taking on the heel persona Muhammad Hassan during the early days of the Iraq war. Tensions were running high, and the character was purportedly created to speak out against anti-Muslim sentiments. Whatever the motivations for Hassan, his stint was abruptly ended when a provocative segment aired on the same day as a major terrorist attack in London. Copani now works as a school principal.
