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Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic "award" [thread]
1981: Monster character (Tony Hernandez) - LeBelle Promotions
The promotion was on it's last legs, and in one last ditch attempt promoter LeBelle proceeded to push "a real monster" made in a lab
1981: Monster character (Tony Hernandez) - LeBelle Promotions
The promotion was on it's last legs, and in one last ditch attempt promoter LeBelle proceeded to push "a real monster" made in a lab
1982: Bob Backlund As WWF Champion (WWF)
Backlund had held the title since 1978 and by 1982 fans (and Dave) were sick and tired of him on top.
Backlund had held the title since 1978 and by 1982 fans (and Dave) were sick and tired of him on top.
1983: Eddie Gilbert’s Broken Neck (WWF)
WWF used a real-life neck injury to further a feud between two wrestlers who had nothing to do with Gilbert (Backlund and Masked Superstar)
WWF used a real-life neck injury to further a feud between two wrestlers who had nothing to do with Gilbert (Backlund and Masked Superstar)
1984: Blackjack Mulligan Fakes Heart Attack (CWF)
Blackjack Mulligan faked having a heart condition before faking a heart attack.
This was one of the many reasons why Dave hated Florida that year.
Blackjack Mulligan faked having a heart condition before faking a heart attack.
This was one of the many reasons why Dave hated Florida that year.
1985: Usage Of Mike Von Erich’s Near Death (WCCW)
Mike had contracted toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal illness caused by a bacterial toxin. The promotion rushed him back after suffering brain damage.
Mike had contracted toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal illness caused by a bacterial toxin. The promotion rushed him back after suffering brain damage.
WCCW claimed it was a “living miracle”, promoting his big return before putting him back in the ring in tag team matches with his brothers.
1986: Exploitation Of The Death Of Gino Hernandez (WCCW)
World Class made video packages which treat the tragedies of Gino’s death and the kayfabe blindness of Chris Adams with equal sadness. Many saw this as insulting to Gino’s memory.
World Class made video packages which treat the tragedies of Gino’s death and the kayfabe blindness of Chris Adams with equal sadness. Many saw this as insulting to Gino’s memory.
1987: Exploitation Of The Death Of Mike Von Erich (WCCW)
WCCW changed their David Von Erich show (who died in ’84 in controversial circumstances) in to the David & Mike memorial show. They charged extra for VIP tickets, and even had a female mud wrestling match.
WCCW changed their David Von Erich show (who died in ’84 in controversial circumstances) in to the David & Mike memorial show. They charged extra for VIP tickets, and even had a female mud wrestling match.
1988: Fritz Von Erich’s Fake Heart Attack (WCCW)
Fritz collapsing on television doing a “heart attack” angle to try and get sympathy not so long ago they held the David & Mike memorial show, so to put their fans through losing another Von Erich was awful and tasteless at best.
Fritz collapsing on television doing a “heart attack” angle to try and get sympathy not so long ago they held the David & Mike memorial show, so to put their fans through losing another Von Erich was awful and tasteless at best.
1989: José González babyface push (WWC)
In 1988, Bruiser Brody was stabbed in locker room showers by José González and died shortly afterwards.
After the case was closed abruptly in early 1989, José González returned to WWC as Invader #1; and booked as a babyface.
In 1988, Bruiser Brody was stabbed in locker room showers by José González and died shortly afterwards.
After the case was closed abruptly in early 1989, José González returned to WWC as Invader #1; and booked as a babyface.
1990: Atsushi Onita ‘Stabbed’ by José González (FMW)
As Bruiser Brody had been a big star in Japan, Onita wanted to capitalise on it with an angle
After Onita & González met to hype the match in a press conference, González left. Onita decided to blade his stomach several times
As Bruiser Brody had been a big star in Japan, Onita wanted to capitalise on it with an angle
After Onita & González met to hype the match in a press conference, González left. Onita decided to blade his stomach several times
It wouldn’t bleed, so instead Onita bladed his head and smeared the blood. He went to the hospital to ask a doctor to give him stitches, where many refused.
Onita had Japanese media on hand to take pictures.
González was apparently unaware of this.
Onita had Japanese media on hand to take pictures.
González was apparently unaware of this.
1991: Exploiting the Persian Gulf War (WWF)
Slaughter got so much heat he received death threats. He needed his own team of security to get to shows, and a bullet-proof vest.
Slaughter got so much heat he received death threats. He needed his own team of security to get to shows, and a bullet-proof vest.
1992: Pushing Erik Watts (WCW)
In 1992, Bill Watts became the Executive Vice President of WCW. He trained his son Erik Watts as a wrestler, and only three months in to his career was signed by WCW.
No skill, no charisma, but he got a major babyface push because of nepotism.
In 1992, Bill Watts became the Executive Vice President of WCW. He trained his son Erik Watts as a wrestler, and only three months in to his career was signed by WCW.
No skill, no charisma, but he got a major babyface push because of nepotism.
1993: Cactus Jack gets amnesia (WCW)
Vader powerbombing Cactus on the concrete floor. Cactus blacked out.
He was no longer Cactus Jack, but rather a sea farer who had drifted ashore. He had no idea who Cactus Jack was, of course, because he had AMNESIA.
Vader powerbombing Cactus on the concrete floor. Cactus blacked out.
He was no longer Cactus Jack, but rather a sea farer who had drifted ashore. He had no idea who Cactus Jack was, of course, because he had AMNESIA.
1994: Ric Flair retirement angle (WCW)
Hulk Hogan “retired” Ric Flair in a steel cage match at Halloween Havoc.
Flair literally begging Hogan and Savage to “say the right things to the right people” to get him reinstated.
Flair found his way back to TV as the manager of Vader.
Hulk Hogan “retired” Ric Flair in a steel cage match at Halloween Havoc.
Flair literally begging Hogan and Savage to “say the right things to the right people” to get him reinstated.
Flair found his way back to TV as the manager of Vader.
1995: Gene Okerlund's 900 hotline advertisements (WCW)
Gene asked the fans to find out “which former 45-year old heavyweight champion had died” by ringing the hotline. The lines blew up as many assumed it was Ric Flair, but it was former AWA Tag Team Champion Jerry Blackwell.
Gene asked the fans to find out “which former 45-year old heavyweight champion had died” by ringing the hotline. The lines blew up as many assumed it was Ric Flair, but it was former AWA Tag Team Champion Jerry Blackwell.
The average weekend for the hotline would've drawn about $5,000 for the company. For what it's worth, if we assume an average call time of four minutes ($6) then we can assume they get about 800 calls every weekend.
That weekend they used the hook for Flair the company took in the region of $50,000-$75,000 in income. By the same maths, that's between 8,000-12,000 people calling it.
1996: Fake Diesel and Razor Ramon (WWF)
It was supposed to give Jim Ross major heel heat following his ‘worked shoot’ promo on Vince McMahon and the WWF.
It was supposed to give Jim Ross major heel heat following his ‘worked shoot’ promo on Vince McMahon and the WWF.
1997: Melanie Pillman interview on Raw the day after Brian Pillman's death (WWF)
Used as a ratings ploy (they plugged it throughout the night on Raw), Vince used Melanie to avoid any accusations of drug/steroid abuse within the company.
Used as a ratings ploy (they plugged it throughout the night on Raw), Vince used Melanie to avoid any accusations of drug/steroid abuse within the company.
1998: Exploiting Scott Hall's alcoholism (WCW)
WCW used the fact Hall was getting drunk all the time as part of an angle to explain the friction between him and Kevin Nash in storyline.
WCW used the fact Hall was getting drunk all the time as part of an angle to explain the friction between him and Kevin Nash in storyline.
1999: Over the Edge pay-per-view continuing after the death of Owen Hart (WWF)
While Owen’s wife believed he would not have wanted the show to continue, WWF and Vince later revealed they continued with the show as they felt that’s what Owen would have wanted.
RIP Owen
While Owen’s wife believed he would not have wanted the show to continue, WWF and Vince later revealed they continued with the show as they felt that’s what Owen would have wanted.
RIP Owen
2000: David Arquette wins the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (WCW)
Having Arquette win such a prestigious World Heavyweight Championship was a slap in the face to to the history of the title and to the fans in general.
Having Arquette win such a prestigious World Heavyweight Championship was a slap in the face to to the history of the title and to the fans in general.
2001: Stephanie McMahon comparing her father's indictment to September 11 attacks (WWF)
3,000 people died as innocent victims due to the actions of terrorists and she was comparing it to her dad allegedly giving steroids to wrestlers. It was a ludicrous comparison.
3,000 people died as innocent victims due to the actions of terrorists and she was comparing it to her dad allegedly giving steroids to wrestlers. It was a ludicrous comparison.
I'll continue this thread at a later date.
2002: Triple H accusing Kane of murder and necrophilia (Katie Vick)
Fans booed the segment, with loud chants of "refund" during the commercial break.
This was done purely to create controversy, but it was really odd, weird odd, like who comes up with this odd shit? Odd men.
Fans booed the segment, with loud chants of "refund" during the commercial break.
This was done purely to create controversy, but it was really odd, weird odd, like who comes up with this odd shit? Odd men.
2003: McMahon's all over the product (Steph was Smackdown GM, Bischoff was making out with Linda, Vince was on multiple PPVs, Shane feuded with Kane, and more)
2004: Kane impregnating Lita (after being forced to marry Kane, Lita is also forced to bear his child)
