Top 10 list: Blurring the line between scripted and unscripted (with videos)
While it’s obvious now that CM Punk’s recent “shoot promos” on Raw are part of an angle, his initial anti-WWE rant and use of insider references made viewers question if what they were seeing was part of the show or if Punk had gone rogue on live television.
Over the past 15 years or so, there have been a number of instances in pro wrestling in which the line between work and shoot were blurred.
Here’s my list of the top 10 moments that made you go, “Wait a minute. Was that supposed to happen?” (I did not include Punk’s promo on the list because I think it’s still too fresh in everyone’s minds to put it in perspective):
10. MATT HARDY ATTACKS EDGE (WWE Raw, 2005): The real-life breakup of Hardy and longtime girlfriend Lita – which was the result of her affair with Edge – played out on the Internet, but was not initially acknowledged in WWE story lines. Hardy, who had been fired by WWE as part of the fallout, showed up unannounced on Raw and jumped Edge backstage. He was able to escape out the backdoor before security could apprehend him. Later on the show during Edge’s match with Kane, Hardy appeared again. This time, he ran into the ring and engaged in a pull-apart brawl with Edge. Hardy grabbed the mic and cursed at Edge, called Lita a “whore” and said that “WWE can kiss my ass.” He then mentioned his upcoming appearance on a Ring of Honor show before security got him on the ground, handcuffed him and took him away.
The verdict: It was a work that was based on a real-life situation. Hardy was reinstated and he and Edge worked the program together without incident.
9. SCOTT STEINER CUTS A SHOOT PROMO ON RIC FLAIR AND WCW (WCW Nitro, 2000):
Steiner was not involved in a story line with Flair, yet he cut a profanity-laced, scathing promo on “The Nature Boy” on live TV. The highlight of the promo was Steiner saying that when Flair appeared on TV the previous week, all the viewers “changed the channel to the WWF to watch Stone Cold – a guy you and your old friends got fired from here.” He concluded by saying that Flair belongs “in WCW because WCW sucks!”
The verdict: It was a shoot. Steiner has never hidden his disdain for Flair, and this was a case of him going off script and expressing his true feelings. For his unprofessional conduct, Steiner was suspended for two weeks – with pay! Yeah, WCW management really showed him.
8. BAM BAM BIGELOW SHOVES LAWRENCE TAYLOR (WWE Royal Rumble, 1995):
After the massive Bigelow had been pinned by The 1-2-3 Kid (Sean Waltman) in a tag team match, the crowd began heckling him. Taylor, who was sitting in the front row, was shown on camera getting a chuckle out of the situation. An angry Bigelow came over to confront the NFL great, who stood up and smiled at Bigelow and extended his hand. Bigelow responded by delivering a hard shove to Taylor, who had to be restrained by his entourage from going after Bigelow.
The verdict: It was a work. That became obvious when it was played up on WWE television and ultimately led to a match between Bigelow and Taylor that headlined WrestleMania XI. When the incident first took place, however, it came out of the blue and had a realistic feel to it.
7. DANIEL PUDER SHOOTS ON KURT ANGLE IN AN EXHIBITION MATCH (WWE Smackdown, 2004): Puder was a competitor on Tough Enough, which at that time took place within episodes of Smackdown. Angle was playing a bully and had just manhandled one of the participants in a shoot match. He then issued a challenge to anyone else who wanted to try him. Puder, who had an MMA background, volunteered. Instead of Angle teaching him a lesson, however, Puder held his own and was able to catch Angle in a keylock (a submission hold). Puder was on his back at the time, and one of the referees quickly counted three and awarded the match to Angle. After it was over, an incensed Angle got in Puder’s face.
The verdict: It was a shoot. Casual viewers may not have thought twice about it, but those with knowledge of MMA fighting realized that Angle was in real trouble, and had the referee not sensed it and made the three count, Angle would have either had to tap out or risk serious injury. Obviously, that would have been a disaster for both Angle and WWE. Puder ended up winning Tough Enough, but he didn’t last long in WWE.
6. STING SQUASHES JEFF HARDY IN 88 SECONDS (TNA Victory Road, 2011): In this match for the TNA title, challenger Hardy came out looking as if he was in no shape to perform. Just before the match was set to begin, Eric Bischoff came to the ring and announced that it would be a no-disqualification match. He then said something off mic to Hardy and Sting. If you listened closely, you could hear Bischoff saying, “Just squash him,” to Sting. Shortly after the opening bell, Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and appeared to put all of his weight Hardy for the three count. Hardy clearly tried to kick out at two but was unsuccessful. Hardy seemed stunned that he was pinned , and he did not sell the effects of the move at all. He said something to the referee and then walked over to the corner and smacked the turnbuckle in frustration. As the crowd voiced its displeasure at the 88-second main event while Sting walked back up the ramp, Sting – who had a sour look on his face during most of this – said, “I agree, I agree.”
The verdict: It was a shoot. Bischoff and Vince Russo love doing worked shoots, so you always have to be suspicious of anything they’re involved in, but this one was legitimate. The incident happened in March and Hardy hasn’t been used in TNA since.
5. RIC FLAIR SUFFERS A HEART ATTACK ON LIVE TV (WCW Nitro,1998):
For years, fans have said facetiously that Flair was going to have a heart attack someday while he’s delivering one of his screaming, wild-eyed promos in which the veins are popping out of his head. On this episode of Nitro, that’s exactly what appeared to happen. While ranting and raving about Eric Bischoff in an interview with Gene Okerlund, an out-of-breath Flair began clutching his chest and arm and then slumped down in the corner of the ring. He was taken out on a stretcher and whisked away in an ambulance.
The verdict: It was a work.
4. VINCE RUSSO ORDERS JEFF JARRETT TO LAY DOWN FOR HULK HOGAN, THEN CUTS A SHOOT PROMO ON HOGAN (WCW Bash at the Beach, 2000): Russo came out at the start of the main event match between WCW world champion Jarrett and Hogan and ordered Jarrett to allow Hogan to pin him. After at first refusing to go along with it, Hogan reluctantly covered Jarrett to win the title. While doing so, Hogan said to Russo: “This is why this company’s in the shape it’s in – because of [BS] like this.” Russo came back later in the show and cut a vitriolic, profanity-laced promo about Hogan playing backstage politics. He then declared the belt that Hogan left with to be worthless, and said that Jarrett was still the real champion and would defend the title that night against Booker T.
The verdict: It was a work that became a shoot. The scenario was scripted, but Russo apparently went further with his derogatory remarks about Hogan during his promo than “The Hulkster” had expected. Hogan filed a lawsuit against Russo and WCW for defamation of character, which was ultimately dismissed.
To watch Russo’s promo, click here. Warning: There is a lot of profanity.
3. BRIAN PILLMAN TO KEVIN SULLIVAN: 'I RESPECT YOU, BOOKERMAN' (WCW SuperBrawl, 1996): In a strap match in which the loser had to say “I respect you” to the winner, Pillman – who was doing his “Loose Cannon” gimmick – and Sullivan engaged in a realistic-looking brawl before the opening bell and never even got the strap secured around their wrists. About a minute into the action, Pillman grabbed the microphone and said, “I respect you, bookerman,” and then walked out of the ring. Sullivan was the WCW booker at that time, which – obviously – had never been mentioned on TV. Pillman was fired by WCW shortly thereafter.
The verdict: It was a work – although the aftermath turned into a shoot. WCW executive Eric Bischoff, Pillman and Sullivan tried to work everyone – including people in the company – into believing that the incident was legitimate. To that end, Pillman convinced Bischoff to actually fire him and file the proper paperwork. As part of the story line, Pillman took his “Loose Cannon” gimmick to ECW. The plan was that he would cause a stir there and eventually return to WCW, but since he was officially a free agent, he ended up double-crossing WCW and signing with WWE.
2. SHAWN MICHAELS COLLAPSES (WWE Raw 1995): A month after Michaels was legitimately badly beaten up by several men outside a bar, he returned to TV to face Owen Hart. After several minutes of action, Michaels suddenly began to stumble, grabbed his head and collapsed in the ring. At that point, the match came to a halt. As the referee checked on Michaels, Hart broke character and seemed concerned. Announcer Vince McMahon could be heard saying softly, “Go to black,” and then he entered the ring. After an awkward cutaway to a commercial break, the show resumed with medical personnel working on a seemingly unconscious Michaels, as the camera showed some women in the crowd in tears. The show went off the air with Michaels still down.
The verdict: It was work. A lot of fans were fooled because that kind of angle just wasn’t done in WWE at the time, and also because people knew the beating Michaels suffered outside the ring was legitimate. Michaels made a triumphant return at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, where he won the Rumble match and went on to win the WWE title for the first time at WrestleMania XII.
1. THE MONTREAL SCREWJOB (WWE Survivor Series, 1997): In the most infamous match in wrestling history, WWE chairman Vince McMahon screwed WWE champion Bret Hart – who was bound for rival WCW – by ordering referee Earl Hebner to call for the bell while Hart was caught in his own Sharpshooter finisher by Shawn Michaels. An enraged Hart spat at McMahon and destroyed TV equipment in front of the crowd, and supposedly punched McMahon in the face backstage.
The verdict: The popular opinion is that it was a shoot, but there are still people who swear that it was the most elaborate work in the history of the business.
Comments
Great article Kev! One of my favorites of all shoot/works was the Tully Blanchard/Magnum T.A./Dusty Rhoads interview from the late 80s. My dad, who hated it when I made him watch that"fake Sh*t",was even intreaged with that angle!! Do you believe the "screw job" was a work or a shoot ???I have always leaned on the side of work!! if for no other reason,just the fact that Vince was involved!!
RESPONSE FROM KE: I am of the belief that the Screwjob was a shoot ... but I wouldn't bet the house on it.
Posted by: Shane74 | July 14, 2011 2:13 PM
10. The only time Matt Hardy has been relevant as a singles wrestler he got cuckholded by his "friend"
9.Steiner the real R-Truth!
8. Bam Bam was talented as hell RIP.
7. And Angle thinks he actually has a chance to make a comeback for next year's Olympic games. Yeah, remember Kurt they do real "testing" in the Olympics.
6. Why isn't Jeff Hardy in jail or rehab?
5. Flair just saw his alimony bill.
4. The dying days of WCW were just 'Old Yeller' sad.
3. Brian Pillman was just plain awesome. Again RIP!
2. Maybe Michaels saw those Marines again in the crowd?
1. Honestly, probably the single most event that made the Attitude era. Hopefully, WWE can capitalize on Punk to move the business into a new era.
Posted by: that guy | July 14, 2011 2:24 PM
There was a Canadian documentary about Bret Hart a few years ago- I saw it streamed on YouTube- in which Lance Storm says that, for years, he thought Montreal was a work, until Bret himself told him that it was legit. So it's certainly not an implausible opinion.
The biggest omission that pops out in my mind was the Steve Austin/ Mike Tyson confrontation during Tyson's first Raw appearance. I also can't believe you didn't include Scott Hall's first WCW appearance. But, I guess if you're only listing things still in dispute, there's no question either were a work. Then again, is there any question about Bigelow/Taylor?
Oh, before I forget, I'd also mention that when Tazz and Bam Bam broke the ring in ECW, that was a shoot, but when Brock superplexed the Big Show on Smackdown and the ring collapsed, that was a shoot inspired by the original. I always thought that was fun.
RESPONSE FROM KE: The nWo was a great angle, but I think most fans knew that Hall and Nash had left WWE and were headed to WCW. Hall coming through the crowd was a great moment, but I never for one second thought it was anything but an angle. Austin and Tyson also was a great angle that was clearly an angle. Bigelow and Taylor came out of the blue, and WWE wasn't doing a lot of that stuff back then. It at least planted a seed of doubt -- in me, at least.
Posted by: Ken Raining | July 14, 2011 2:32 PM
Oh, I just thought of another: Goldberg's "refusing" to take a power bomb from Kevin Nash, causing him to walk out on a triple threat match with Nash and Scott Steiner. Much like the Hogan/Jarret match, the announcers openly talk about being "off-script", and the whole thing comes off as being desperate and unprofessional. Hard to believe that company failed....
And the last thing I'm gonna say: you really should mention, Kevin, that after being released by WCW, Brian Pillman was in a car accident that almost ended his life, not to mention career, which reportedly led to Bischoff rethinking their arrangement. That's the WWE version, at least.
RESPONSE FROM KE: The Goldberg-Nash-Steiner thing was so obviously a work that I couldn't include it. I was working for WCW at the time and I was embarrassed by it. And since I was not in Russo's inner circle, he tried to work me and just about everyone else in the company into believing Goldberg had gone into business for himself.
Posted by: Ken Raining | July 14, 2011 2:58 PM
What about last year's firing of Daniel Bryan? A lot of people believe that entire situation was a work to bring him back at SummerSlam as a babyface.
Personally, I think WWE legitimately fired him and told him that they'd be interested in bringing him back within 90 days in the same breath. Does that make it a work or a shoot? His paychecks for those 2 months weren't worked.
RESPONSE FROM KE: That one just missed making the list.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | July 14, 2011 3:32 PM
Floyd Mayweather punching the Big Show should be Numero Uno. That was an amazing.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Great angle, but clearly an angle.
Posted by: Darren Bent is a goal machine | July 14, 2011 3:45 PM
I remember the Steiner comments like they were yesterday. That one was great.
What are your opinions on these
This one is of Doug Gilbert back in the day. In brother teams someone always plays the part of Matt Hardy. While I like Doug Gilbert better than that terd Fatt Hardy. Doug was second to RIP Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert. Lawler and his son are on the receiving end of the tirade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is0oHPL-nis&feature=related
Old School Superstar Steve Austin was the genesis of SCSA was born in ECW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV38FRJ6Gas&feature=related
I know this was a "work" BUT I think he meant every word he said in this Ric Flair "shoot" on Carlito. At least I hope he did because I think it's great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hunVTAbsUg
While he didn't really "quit" I think he meant everything he said. One of my all time favorite play by play guys ever Joey Styles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWnmYLW54YI
Paul Heyman talking to Vince another worked shoot favorite of mine that has truth all over it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vswZ73WETpc&feature=related
You talk about a shoot the following was history. Rick Rude appearing on a taped RAW and a Live Nitro in the same night shooting in the WWF. RIP Rick Rude one of my all time favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j249kqOsWTM
There are plenty more these are just a few of my favorites.
Posted by: eicholtz | July 14, 2011 3:45 PM
what about the "Curtain call"
RESPONSE FROM KE: That was at a non-televised show, so only the insider fans knew about it, and it was clearly a shoot.
Posted by: Sewram | July 14, 2011 3:57 PM
did u ever talk to russo? an wat about?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I actually used to pitch him some story line ideas. He shot them all down.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2011 4:21 PM
Great article, Kevin!
Posted by: Go Fish | July 14, 2011 5:52 PM
When the whole Vader - Gorilla Monsoon thing went down, I totally thought it was off the script.
Looking at it now though , it feels more like a precursor to the Stone Cold/Mr.Mcmahon feud.
Wrestling thrives off moments like that. It thrived with every video posted above and talked about in the comments.
All the Great Wrestling Promotions really walk the fine between fact and fiction.
I think that is the hardest part of the wrestling business. In business you always want to be in control and know exactly what's going to happen next.
But the nature of wrestling has always been slightly out of control.
Their suppose to be selling us a never ending supply of disputes that are
constantly and consistently settled with fights of a various nature.
Which is why someone like John Cena does not make any sense.
If you have Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect.
Why would you even be involved in physical confrontations each and every week ???
Or even want to be known as a physical person like the WWE Champ is known for ???
I think both WWE and TNA are at a Crossroads.
They can know their role - shut their mouth and realize that they are wrestling companies. Give everyone an open mike and let them prove their worth as an entertainer in a controlled chaotic environment where the occasional fist fight may break out.
Or they can keep going the way their going, install some dinner table around ringside and become an alternative to Cirque De Soleil and the Peking Acrobats.
Posted by: Evan Benz | July 14, 2011 6:10 PM
You should do an Q&A with Vince Russo and ask him how he comes up with his [horrible] ideas.
He probably would refuse though considering how much you rip on him ;)
RESPONSE FROM KE: When Russo's second book came out a while back I tried to arrange an interview with him. For some reason, his publicist never got back to me. Wonder if it was something I said.
Posted by: Cory | July 14, 2011 8:01 PM
One that wasn't mentioned that springs to mind:
Stone Cold Steve Austin paying Brian Pillman a visit to his home and as Austin tried to force his way inside Pillman pulls a gun on him and then the video cuts. Back when this happened wrestling was still real to me and it shocked the hell out of me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIIm2uMIef4
RESPONSE FROM KE: A fantastic and ground-breaking angle for WWE, but a pretty obvious angle nonetheless.
Posted by: loco | July 14, 2011 8:07 PM
Well, this was a disappointing list, Kevin. “Wait a minute. Was that supposed to happen?” is a rather silly way to do a top 10 list. You've got bad moments mixed in with good ones. In fact, some of these incidents are among the worst to ever this industry. There's nothing redeeming about the Sting vs Jeff Hardy debacle, for instance. It legitimately upset the audience. Sure, people might have been buzzing for days after that as to whether it was worked or not but people were similarly buzzing for days after (for example) Paul Heyman's worked shoot - the only difference is that they were buzzing for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Oh well, can't please them all.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2011 9:17 PM
If you have any "honorable mentions" I'd like to see those too sometime!
Posted by: Jeff | July 14, 2011 9:36 PM
"Hall coming through the crowd was a great moment, but I never for one second thought it was anything but an angle"
___________________________________
I was easier to fool than you were, Kevin. Bischoff's fear of Hall seemed so realistic that I wondered if it were a shoot. You have to give Easy E credit for his acting ability, if nothing else.
RESPONSE FROM KE: It was definitely well done, but anyone who was an "insider fan" back then knew Hall and Nash were coming.
Posted by: Christopher | July 14, 2011 10:21 PM
Excellent list, Kev. It brought back good memories......
Posted by: Horseman420 | July 14, 2011 10:30 PM
wat where your ideas?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I'll save it for my book (or my shoot DVD).
Posted by: Anonymous | July 14, 2011 11:11 PM
See, I always assumed the Montreal Screwjob was a shoot, but Bret Hart didn't seem that upset after the bell -- I'm now wondering if it was a work. Thanks!
Posted by: Bill | July 15, 2011 1:21 AM
Good list, embarrassed to say I fell for the Flair 'heart attack'. He seemed so legit pissed at Bishoff at the time it really seemed to be driving him nuts.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 15, 2011 3:00 AM
Personally I think the only blurred line over which I still scratch my head is the "Brawl For All" tournament.
I honestly haven't changed my opinion that the tournament WAS legit until (A) Bart Gunn shocked everyone by kayoing Steve Williams, and (B) the WWF Superstars were suffering too many "legit" injuries, so the WWF used the segments to put over Bart Gunn through the rest of the tournament (Bradshaw took a dive in the finals). Obviously, the Brawl For All match at WrestleMania XV was 100% legit (Bart didn't even get a chance to work that one).
This was pretty much my thought when it first happened in 1999, and I still think that's correct. Otherwise, it's a fantastic coincidence that the legit injuries stopped at the same time Bart Gunn emerged as the new favorite.
For the record, my friends and I used to nickname these matches "The BRAWLFOR(NOREASONAT)ALL." Most of those matches were terrible to sit through.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | July 15, 2011 3:18 AM
Is it just me or does this make everyone else miss Nitro? That was some crazy sh!t there. Back then I preferred Nitro over Raw but SCSA changed everything.
Posted by: Angelina | July 15, 2011 7:49 AM
Talk about blurring the lines between work and shoot, what about when the NWO Wolfpac and NWO Hollywood went off character when Scott Hall appeared to be too intoxicated to compete?
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | July 15, 2011 8:39 AM
thanks heaps that was a great list!
some i had completley forgotten
Posted by: Mike L | July 15, 2011 10:01 AM
I would totally buy your shoot video, Kevin! I love your promos on xtra.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Thanks!
Posted by: Steve R | July 15, 2011 11:30 AM
Good article.. Congrats to Jeff for winning AAA Title... Best of luck to HBK for his hollywood career..
Posted by: bret | July 15, 2011 12:30 PM
what about the roddy piper in ring shoot on russo?
its one of the greatest ones, and piper is a badass.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I considered that one, but the fact that they used Owen Hart's death in an angle was just too much for me to take. May have been the most distasteful thing I've ever seen in wrestling.
Posted by: g-man | July 15, 2011 1:50 PM
"most fans knew that Hall and Nash had left WWE and were headed to WCW"?? Really?? That's why you later said, "anyone who was an 'insider fan' back then knew Hall and Nash were coming"? So "insider fans" are "most fans" now, huh? LOL. That was a great "Blurring the line between scripted and unscripted" moment, second only to the Montreal Screwjob. Just because *you* knew when you saw Hall walking through the crowd that it was a work, doesn't mean most people did and it wasn't great. The ratings of Nitro from that show on, and the popularity of the nWo angle in the beginning speak to how great a job they did blurring the line. I *knew* when Shawn Michaels collapsed it was a work. Hell, EVERYBODY but little kids knew the Bam Bam/Lawrence Taylor incident was a work, sheesh!
RESPONSE FROM KE: So when Hall showed up on Nitro, you really thought that was a shoot? The camera focused on him coming through the crowd, and then he takes his time hopping the rail, grabbing a microphone and walking into the ring. Don't you think security would have been all over him? Wouldn't his mic have been cut? Wouldn't the director have gone to commercial? Wouldn't the guys in the ring have gone after him rather than just standing there and letting him take over their show? Luger showing up on the first Nitro the day after he worked a WWE house show was more believable.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 15, 2011 2:22 PM
u r writing a book?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 15, 2011 4:26 PM
eck, you sure that was an angle? it looked like it was just piper going out there and laying it into russo, and leaving. didnt seem like there was much storyline to it..
Posted by: g-man | July 15, 2011 5:09 PM
I'm firmly in the shoot camp on The Montreal Screwjob. Man, a seminal moment in my life. Fascinating to watch Brisco hustle Michaels out of the arena, in full protection mode.
Posted by: Travis | July 15, 2011 7:15 PM
What about the Vince McMahon limo explosion? Obviously, it was never truly believed to be real, but I know of many people who were wondering if McMahon really got hurt.
Posted by: paul | July 15, 2011 9:13 PM
http://www.midsouthwrestling.com/RoddyPiper.html
pipers take on the russo shoot. it was real.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I've read that before but I never really bought Piper's story. Whether it was a work or shoot -- bringing up Owen was reprehensible.
Posted by: g-man | July 16, 2011 8:34 AM
Very enjoyable. The one that always comes to my mind as a shoot was the Lawler-Kaufman episode from Letterman. It was more than 15 years ago but I would put it second all time behind the Montreal screwjob.
Posted by: Jay | July 17, 2011 1:15 AM
You missed the biggest one of alltime. Lawler-kaufman on david Letterman show.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I did say "in the past 15 years" when I posted the list.
Posted by: David | July 17, 2011 11:55 PM
One of my favorite work/shoots was during the Rock 'N Wrestling era. The Wendy Richter vs. The Black Widow (Fabulous Moolah).
Posted by: The Nature Boy | July 22, 2011 10:50 AM
Kev,
What about DX's invasion of WCW's Monday Nitro? That was great.
Posted by: The Nature Boy | July 28, 2011 9:13 PM