Some Wrestlers Who Received Criticism for Going Off the Script

However, if any other wrestler on the roster made the decision to deviate from the script in any way, they would be penalized or even fired. Wrestlemania examines some WWE performers who have suffered the consequences of doing so.

Fans frequently claim that promos are forced and appear to have been written by someone who doesn't even appear to know all that much about wrestling, which is one of the criticisms of contemporary WWE programming, which is that the product is way too scripted.

It used to be that even the best promos and segments of all time had unscripted content, but nowadays it's uncommon to see a WWE superstar deviate from the plan.

It's a risky move for them to make because the results may materially affect their standing on the card or possibly lead to their release. The segment has improved in a few instances where a superstar deviated from the script, but these instances are still uncommon, especially given that the WWE prefers an overly scripted approach for all of their main shows. What were the best deviations from the plan, though?

Read on to learn more about WWE wrestlers who departed from the script as Wrestlemania is examined.

1. Shawn Michael's Frontier Martial Arts, 1999

In 1998, Shawn Michaels ended his career as a professional wrestler. Capitalizing on his success, he continued to appear in the WWF in an on-air position. On November 23, 1999, he also made an appearance at the 10th-anniversary show of Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling. Fans who saw the main event battle between Hee-jin Hatabusa recall Michaels refereeing the match on autopilot at one point when he refused to make a three count, calling a 10 count even though there was no disqualification in the match.

As for whether the Heartbreak Kid flubbed it or not, fans will have to decide for themselves. However, Wrestlemania advises against watching the footage because Shawn Michaels is wearing shorts that aren't even appropriate for Pamela Anderson.

2. Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit in 2005

The encounter between Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit featured on the WWE's ECW one-night stand pay-per-view, was yet another fantasy match marred by a performer going through the motions. Word has it that Guerrero was miffed when he discovered he had to pin Benoit in the match, which served as the catalyst for WWE's disastrous effort to resurrect Extreme Championship Wrestling under the WWE banner.

Guerrero was furious even though we were close friends because he was worried he would lose some of the momenta from his recent Hilton by defeating the Canadian Crippler. When Guerrero's nose started bleeding during the fight, things reached their breaking point. Fans remember witnessing Guerrero tell Benoit something in the ring after the match, and it is said that Benoit had some nasty words for Guerrero. Guerrero may have apologized for his actions in order to explain that, according to Hardcore Holly's memoir The Hardcore Truth, he was experiencing excruciating pain at the time he acted in such a way.

One of the saddest things I've ever seen was Eddie lying down on one of the tables in the trainer's room, aching so bad he couldn't determine if he needed to use the loo or not. Up until 10 minutes before his match, he would simply lie there backstage on the table at the house shoes. At that point, he would take some energy drink or something with honey, then drag himself all the way to Gorilla.

Unfortunately, Eddie would die five months after the pay-per-view.

3. Hulk Hogan VS Shawn Michaels

The WWE had the chance to schedule the Hulkster vs. Shawn Michaels fantasy bout in 2005. The fans knew Shawn Michaels would help make up for any inconsistencies on Hogan's part in the ring, and while Hogan may have lost a step in the ring, he was still a huge star. Sadly, what we got in its place was a complete mess and an insult to Shawn Michaels went out of his way to oversell for Hogan making a mockery of the match.

The Hulkster reportedly asked Michaels to work the heel position after learning that Hogan would undoubtedly win a two out of three series. Exactly what transpired is still up for question, but this is what both men claimed. If Michaels told a Manchester audience in 2014. Hogan withdrew out of the best of three at the last minute, which prevented us from proceeding.

Therefore, I'll admit that day. All day, I prodded the bear. I was already planning what I would do. I was going to go out and do business, but I was going to make him work for it just so I could annoy him all day.

After the Heartbreak Kid cut the subsequent Pro mode, according to Hogan, he decided against the three-match series. following Summerslam, during a Monday Night Raw program. As much as it pains me to say it, Hulk Hogan was the greater man last night. You had to be there to understand it, it was amazing, it was incredible. He had a catch-can style that even I, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, could not quite understand since he was catlike, agile, and nimble.

His ring prowess was so superior to mine in so many ways and on so many different levels that I was simply unable to compete. Even I, Shawn Michaels, the villain, discovered that I was a victim of the brutal leg drop, just like so many others before me. 1, 2, 3, etc. In a 2015 interview, Hogan gave his version of events, alleging that he was prepared before Michael's offensive promo. I had assumed that this would be the business interview, but Shawn mockingly said that he was too fast and too young when he came out. I left and I'm out.

It's not business, as I just informed Vince. I ended the agreement as a result. That's where it ended up, and it wasn't because I didn't have creative control; I just didn't want to continue if it was going to be a clown show moving forward. I believed that this man genuinely desired to dig up some cash.

4. Brock Lesnar VS Dean Ambrose

But instead of the inventive brawling action fans had been accustomed to seeing from Ambrose, Brock controlled the majority of the battle and gave the WWE Universe thirteen boring minutes.

If we're being completely honest, Brock didn't want to do anything artistically. The brock will brock. He only thinks of Brock. I was trying to pitch everything to everyone and had every notion because I had a vision for that match to be the wildest thing imaginable if you see what I mean.

I worked so hard and put in so much effort, and other people did the same, but I was treated with indifference. At the end of the day, I kept telling myself, Once we get in the ring, everything will be OK. Once we're in the ring, we'll work things out. We went outside, fought with weapons, and I was repeatedly suplex.

5. Gail Kim Eliminated Herself

In her WWE debut match, Gail Kim defeated six other opponents in a battle royal to win the women's championship. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer. She played a notorious part in the history of professional wrestling by deliberately eliminating herself from a battle royal and ultimately from the WWE.

Kim eliminated herself in under a minute by diving beneath the ropes and walking out of a fight royal she was working to determine the top challenger for the Divas Championship. She maintained at the time that she had not attempted to get herself fired. When I was instructed to leave the ring in less than a minute, I wasn't being self-serving; rather, I was being a good employee. I just completed everything as quickly as I could, which really saved me some time.

However, she would later announce on Twitter that she was leaving the WWE, and fans would later learn that the company had kept her at home until the end of her contract. In a 2017 interview with former WWE writer Kevin Eggs, she spoke about how female wrestlers were instructed to avoid teasing male wrestlers.

They wouldn't say it directly because it wouldn't be politically correct to do so, but they would let us know that Vince doesn't like it. They would say that Vince doesn't like it, albeit I won't disclose whose agent said it. I remember a certain match I played on "Superstars" with Jillian Hall. At the time, we were often allotted three minutes, so receiving seven was rare.

I recently learned that WWE had scheduled a women's money-in-the-bank match. Since he founded the Four Horsewomen movement in NXt, Triple H has arguably done more for women than anybody else. He was one of the ones who was so upbeat when I left WWE. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, he said because you are talented. I was honored by his respect for women's wrestling and delighted by it.

Conclusion

A contentious action in the world of professional wrestling is deviating from the script. While some wrestlers have been praised for their spontaneity and ability to improvise their performances, others have come under fire for deviating from the predetermined script. CM Punk, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Randy Orton are a few wrestlers who have come under fire for deviating from the plan. It's important to remember, though, those wrestlers frequently choose to deviate from the script in order to make their performances more exciting and memorable.

Some wrestlers are willing to take a chance in order to entertain their audience and make an impact, even though it might not always work out in their favor.