Wrestling's Biggest Scandals

Wrestling Digest, August, 2000 by Steve Anderson

Controversies

WWF Sex Scandal

Following a wrongful termination suit by former WWF announcer Murray Hodgson and accusations by wrestler Barry Orton and ring attendant Tom Cole, WWF officials Pat Patterson and Terry Garvin resigned their positions on March 2, 1992. Although the highly publicized, sexual harassment allegations damaged the WWF's reputation as "family entertainment," all parties quickly settled the legal scuttle. Both Hodgson and Cole asked to be employed again by Titan, but only Cole was returned with back pay.

Sid Vicious/Arn Anderson Brawl

This brawl was brutal and bloody and would change the course of a man's career. Sid Vicious and Arn Anderson engaged in battle in the wee hours of October 28, 1993, at the Moat House Hotel in Blackburn, England. A pair of scissors became involved in the action, and both men were rushed to a local hospital. Anderson had 20 stab wounds, while Vicious suffered four puncture wounds. Vicious, on the verge of a WCW title push, was dismissed from WCW and did not appear on television for well over a year before he re-emerged in the WWF.

Vince "Screws" Bret

It was a moment that changed both men and how they were perceived by wrestling fans. On November 9, 1997, Bret "Hit Man" Hart, soon to depart for WCW, was to defend his WWF world heavyweight title against Shawn Michaels in Montreal. The finish of the bout was set, only the Hit Man wasn't in on it. With Michaels utilizing Hart's sharpshooter submission move, referee Earl Hebner called for the bell in seconds, proclaimed Michaels the victor and dashed from the ring. Hart spit on a nearby Vince McMahon and later assaulted his now former boss. Vince became "Mr. McMahon," and a more bitter Bret found it difficult to forget about the matter.