THE REAL MOST CONTROVERSIAL CHAMPION IN HISTORY!

[The Saviour]

THIS IS MY FIRST THREAD(I hope its in the right section)so bear with me,if it has any or many mistakes.
Now it become the word controversial became synonymus with John Cena when he was the WWE champion.He would get a mixed reaction whenever he entered the building.It was uncommon for fans to boo the face of WWE.It became so apparent that even the WWE had to recognise it themselves.Week by week the chants were getting louder and the commentators were even referring to him as the most controversial champion of all time.But there have been a few champions who were quite controversial as well.
STONE COLD:I am a fan from the ATTITUDE ERA,so the rattlesnake was an obvious pick.He crossed all the lines that a face wasn't supposed to.He was a beer drinking SOB who kicked everybody's ass including his boss.When he was on the mic,he trash talked so much,that much of his promo had to be beeped.Austin's antics and talking style made him a controversial character not only in the WWE,but also on other TV.
JEFF HARDY:We all know about his drug-related history.He was a definite pick for the MITB Ladder
match at WM XXIV,but was suspended for drug abuse.He left the WWE and the next thing we know that he is arrested on drug trafficking charges.He is now the TNA champion and still fighting his charges.He,if I am not wrong,also pleaded guilty to the charges.Has he been the most controversial champion yet?
VINCE McMAHON:This angers me to this day.Vince only became the WWE champion to say 'so what Hogan was the champion,I did it as well'.It was a short but controversial reign,the fans hated Vince more than ever before.
Maybe I am wrong,so feel free to correct.So what are your thoughts on who is the most controversial champion of all time?

 

[ABMorales787]

Well one problem with Stone Cold being controversial is that he was universally loved. When J.R. referred to Cena, as you pointed out, it was because of the mixed reaction the crowd gave him. With Stone Cold, no matter what he did, it was an undisputed fact that it was liked.

When Vince McMahon beat Triple H for the WWE Championship, it had its purpose. This was when Smackdown was brand new. The needed to establish itself at the same level as Raw. A lot of crazy things happened during that time period. The Rock vs Triple H for the WWE Championship with Shawn Michaels as guest referee. Triple H having 5 gimmick matches in a row. The Buried Alive match between The Ministry and Rock & Sock. And finally Vince McMahon became WWE Champion. The show was looking for shock to firmly establish it's audience. It defiantly worked and Vince winning furthered the storylines and helped establish the show, so it was very fitting for him to do it then. Again, not controversial. Maybe his run ECW Champion would be more fitting, but one, it was universally despised, and two, it's wasn't a World title.

Jeff Hardy would fit be bill for sure. Even though he has his drug charges there are still people who back him while there's a strong few who hate him. He's definably a very, very controversial champion.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Arguments can be put forward for David Arquette and Vince Russo but given WCW at that time - they don't deserve the accolade of most controversial - see also the fingurepoke of doom(TM) between Hogan and Nash and Oklahoma winning the Women's belt. Vinnie Mac's reign was controversial but again in a bad way.

SCSA and Cena - not really, they sold/ sell way to much merchandise to be considered really controversial.

Jeff's is controversial considering his real life problems, but given he is only playing a character (and a heel one at that) - that would be subjective to your ideas on the blurring of lines between fact (real life) and fiction (wrestling storylines).

I think the most controversial is really quite simple - Shawn Michael's as a result of the Montreal Screwjob. It is still argued today whether this was a work or a shoot. But remembering back to the fateful night and subsequent backlash, I think this was hands down the most controversial World Title victory in history.

 

[jpickens]

Hulk Hogan the first known worlds champion to use backstage politics to keep his spot, using his pull to skirt past the 30 day defense clause, using his stroke to guarantee that he goes over, and ducking legitimate challengers in favor of opponents whose styles he's either familiar with or who would take a dive for him.

 

[TheHitMark-SirJoseOle]

Hulk Hogan the first known worlds champion to use backstage politics to keep his spot, using his pull to skirt past the 30 day defense clause, using his stroke to guarantee that he goes over, and ducking legitimate challengers in favor of opponents whose styles he's either familiar with or who would take a dive for him.

That is ridiculous, I can't even begin to think of the number of people that have beaten Hogan to become World Champion, some might be more deserving than others, but the bottom line is this, Hulk Hogan should not just lose to anyone or he's not Hulk Hogan. Was he an egotist yes, was he a prima donna more likely than not. But you weren't there nor was I there to know exactly how the business ran with Hogan backstage.

Bottom line is this, Hogan lost his title when it mattered. You claim he ducked legitimate challengers, but you name me who he ducked jpickens before you go and say something like that. Thing is if you are going to claim something you better back it up.

Here are the people who got a rub from Hogan and it was up to them to make the most of it from there.

Andre The Giant - Not my favorite title loss, Andre got to hold the title the length of a commercial break and Macho Man got set up to take the title afterwards, personally I was disappointed to see Savage win it and hold it for a year and then lose it to Hogan afterwards, but Macho Man still had a great run as champion and Hogan did step aside for that time to let someone else run with the ball.

Ultimate Warrior - Granted he didn't last for the long haul, but his win over Hogan was huge and for a time Warrior reaped the benefits of being World Champion, bottom line is that Hogan still went along with the script and people can say this and that about how Hogan wasn't happy about it, but obviously he still played the game and went along with it just the same.

Undertaker - Sure this was only a one week reign and Taker had Flair's help in kayfabe to win it, but just the same, he still beat Hogan, and then afterwards when Hogan won the title back he didn't beat Taker fairly either. It balanced itself out, and Taker got some great momentum to end the year of 1991 with by beating the Hulkster.

Hogan's Fourth Reign - He was stripped of the title, which made way for Ric Flair to win it at the Royal Rumble.

Yokozuna - Yoko was hot and mega over heel. Personally speaking I would have liked to see Bret Hart never lose the title in the first place, but there as obviously people behind the scenes who didn't agree with fans like me for Bret to stay champion or to go after Hogan in a "passing of the torch" match. Hogan and Hart both give different accounts of what happened in the events leading up to a possible match, but bottom line I think this had more to do with Vince's tactics rather than Hogan or Hart's desire to wrestle one another, despite what either man said. But to get back to Yokozuna, Yoko was a force to be reckoned with but what better way to legitimize Yokozuna than by having him beat the company's greatest star, as much as I may not want to admit it in some ways, Hogan was still the signature star of the company even though Bret Hart was someone whose career I was following a lot more closely and rooting for. Vince obviously saw that there was a need to still use Hogan for one last big match and he did a damn fine job of it too by having Yoko go over Hogan, it was very similar to how Superstar Billy Graham got his mega run as Champion by beating Bruno Sammartino. Say what you want about Yoko, but there was no one at that time more legit than that.

Now to fast forward to WCW:

The Giant - Sure it was a crappy DQ ending, but the Giant got a major push out of this and got elevated to an instant threat and is still a star to this day. Later on he got to pin Hogan in several encounters aftewards, therefore preserving his credibility. Again, say what you want about the Giant (Big Show) but Hogan's feud with him paid off greatly.

Lex Luger - This loss made no sense, but again it still happened. The only problem I have is Luger lost the title back five days later, it might as well never have happened, but it's something that Lex Luger can say he had on his resume, that he got to beat Hogan live on prime time TV.

Sting - People bitch and moan about this too with the Nick Patrick flub and people even resort to saying that Hogan paid Patrick off to do this. Please find the proof because I'm dying to know the real story. All I have to say is that only an idiot would resort to putting all this on Hogan's head. Sting still beat Hogan at WCW's version of WrestleMania and to this day it still was a good match despite the error on Patrick's part.

Goldberg - Goldberg was the hottest thing in the company, and he beat the most recognizable name in wrestling. It'd have been nice to see at Starrcade 98 instead, but at the same time, getting a PPV quality match on Monday Night TV especially when Nitro was a popular program still, was not a bad reward for loyal fans who might not be able to buy pay per views every month. It was worth a shot to see if Goldberg was going to be the guy to take wrestling into the next generation. In some ways he accomplished this but in other ways he did not. Either way it was still a memorable moment.

Ric Flair - It was about time that Ric Flair got himself a title win over Hogan and boy was it beautiful. Granted WCW lost some momentum back to the WWF at this point,but the Nature Boy beat Hogan and got the World Title and the presidency of WCW in kayfabe. It was a shady win of course, but Flair is the Dirtiest Player In The Game, what do you expect?

Sting - I do question some of the storyline regarding this where Sting went heel and it was not well received, but again Hogan did what he could to put Sting over as a heel by dropping the title to him again, it would have been nice to see this story pay off but it didn't. That's just what happens sometimes.

So jpickens I want to know if you think the names Sting, Flair, Yokozuna, The Big Show are all illegitimate people to let go over? Next time you want to go and make a statement like you just did that's fine, just make sure you back up why you say things, instead of using stupid reasons like "backstage politics" because guess what, you weren't backstage to see anything go down.

On a personal note do I wish guys like Bret Hart and Randy Savage get a title win over Hulk Hogan? You damn well bet, but am I going to say that Hogan at the same time is some evil force in wrestling that ruins people's careers, not a chance, I have no proof of it and neither do you. It'd behoove you to understand that next time you want to say something as farcical as you just did without giving an argument to your reason.

 

[Craig-O-Mac]

There have been quite a few as already noted by the boys here on WZ. My personal choice would have to be Mike Awesome. The whole fiasco with him departing to WCW was majorly controversial when you consider that there was talk of him taking the ECW World Title to Nitro with him.

The situation got so strange that a WCW talent (Awesome) had to drop the strap to a WWE guy (Tazz) in an ECW ring. This was honestly so crazy if you think about it! Mike even had to leave through the crowd and out the back door to avoid the hostile Locker-room.

 

[Calderownz]

Personally, I'd go with Bobo Brazil. He is the first black World Heavyweight champion in history -- though most credit Ron Simmons -- and it was an interesting match at the same time.

The original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rodgers claimed that he was injured, and Brazil said he wouldn't except winning the championship if it was due to an injury of his opponent. However, he was awarded the championship once doctors discovered they couldn't find anything wrong with Rodgers. So, the next night, he was officially champion.

Nonetheless, the NWA isn't too clear on whether or not they would officially consider him the first black champion, or a champion at all for that matter.

With that, I'd consider it to be quite controversial. Especially when you consider who let him get over and what time in history it was.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think I would probably have to go with Jeff Hardy as the most controversial.

From his well documented suspensions to to failing wellness tests, therefore costing himself a guaranteed title reign after being the chosen one to win the MITB ladder match at WM24, to his well documented drug trials which are still on-going, Hardy is just a walking disaster waiting to happen.

Has there ever been another Worlds Champion who ever faced jail time on the basis of being a drug dealer? I cant think of any. I know RVD got busted for drugs, but its a bit less severe getting caught with pot, rather than that amount of stuff Hardy got caught with.

 

[jpickens]

That is ridiculous, I can't even begin to think of the number of people that have beaten Hogan to become World Champion, some might be more deserving than others, but the bottom line is this, Hulk Hogan should not just lose to anyone or he's not Hulk Hogan. Was he an egotist yes, was he a prima donna more likely than not. But you weren't there nor was I there to know exactly how the business ran with Hogan backstage.

Bottom line is this, Hogan lost his title when it mattered. You claim he ducked legitimate challengers, but you name me who he ducked jpickens before you go and say something like that. Thing is if you are going to claim something you better back it up.

Here are the people who got a rub from Hogan and it was up to them to make the most of it from there.

Andre The Giant - Not my favorite title loss, Andre got to hold the title the length of a commercial break and Macho Man got set up to take the title afterwards, personally I was disappointed to see Savage win it and hold it for a year and then lose it to Hogan afterwards, but Macho Man still had a great run as champion and Hogan did step aside for that time to let someone else run with the ball.

Ultimate Warrior - Granted he didn't last for the long haul, but his win over Hogan was huge and for a time Warrior reaped the benefits of being World Champion, bottom line is that Hogan still went along with the script and people can say this and that about how Hogan wasn't happy about it, but obviously he still played the game and went along with it just the same.

Undertaker - Sure this was only a one week reign and Taker had Flair's help in kayfabe to win it, but just the same, he still beat Hogan, and then afterwards when Hogan won the title back he didn't beat Taker fairly either. It balanced itself out, and Taker got some great momentum to end the year of 1991 with by beating the Hulkster.

Hogan's Fourth Reign - He was stripped of the title, which made way for Ric Flair to win it at the Royal Rumble.

Yokozuna - Yoko was hot and mega over heel. Personally speaking I would have liked to see Bret Hart never lose the title in the first place, but there as obviously people behind the scenes who didn't agree with fans like me for Bret to stay champion or to go after Hogan in a "passing of the torch" match. Hogan and Hart both give different accounts of what happened in the events leading up to a possible match, but bottom line I think this had more to do with Vince's tactics rather than Hogan or Hart's desire to wrestle one another, despite what either man said. But to get back to Yokozuna, Yoko was a force to be reckoned with but what better way to legitimize Yokozuna than by having him beat the company's greatest star, as much as I may not want to admit it in some ways, Hogan was still the signature star of the company even though Bret Hart was someone whose career I was following a lot more closely and rooting for. Vince obviously saw that there was a need to still use Hogan for one last big match and he did a damn fine job of it too by having Yoko go over Hogan, it was very similar to how Superstar Billy Graham got his mega run as Champion by beating Bruno Sammartino. Say what you want about Yoko, but there was no one at that time more legit than that.

Now to fast forward to WCW:

The Giant - Sure it was a crappy DQ ending, but the Giant got a major push out of this and got elevated to an instant threat and is still a star to this day. Later on he got to pin Hogan in several encounters aftewards, therefore preserving his credibility. Again, say what you want about the Giant (Big Show) but Hogan's feud with him paid off greatly.

Lex Luger - This loss made no sense, but again it still happened. The only problem I have is Luger lost the title back five days later, it might as well never have happened, but it's something that Lex Luger can say he had on his resume, that he got to beat Hogan live on prime time TV.

Sting - People bitch and moan about this too with the Nick Patrick flub and people even resort to saying that Hogan paid Patrick off to do this. Please find the proof because I'm dying to know the real story. All I have to say is that only an idiot would resort to putting all this on Hogan's head. Sting still beat Hogan at WCW's version of WrestleMania and to this day it still was a good match despite the error on Patrick's part.

Goldberg - Goldberg was the hottest thing in the company, and he beat the most recognizable name in wrestling. It'd have been nice to see at Starrcade 98 instead, but at the same time, getting a PPV quality match on Monday Night TV especially when Nitro was a popular program still, was not a bad reward for loyal fans who might not be able to buy pay per views every month. It was worth a shot to see if Goldberg was going to be the guy to take wrestling into the next generation. In some ways he accomplished this but in other ways he did not. Either way it was still a memorable moment.

Ric Flair - It was about time that Ric Flair got himself a title win over Hogan and boy was it beautiful. Granted WCW lost some momentum back to the WWF at this point,but the Nature Boy beat Hogan and got the World Title and the presidency of WCW in kayfabe. It was a shady win of course, but Flair is the Dirtiest Player In The Game, what do you expect?

Sting - I do question some of the storyline regarding this where Sting went heel and it was not well received, but again Hogan did what he could to put Sting over as a heel by dropping the title to him again, it would have been nice to see this story pay off but it didn't. That's just what happens sometimes.

So jpickens I want to know if you think the names Sting, Flair, Yokozuna, The Big Show are all illegitimate people to let go over? Next time you want to go and make a statement like you just did that's fine, just make sure you back up why you say things, instead of using stupid reasons like "backstage politics" because guess what, you weren't backstage to see anything go down.

On a personal note do I wish guys like Bret Hart and Randy Savage get a title win over Hulk Hogan? You damn well bet, but am I going to say that Hogan at the same time is some evil force in wrestling that ruins people's careers, not a chance, I have no proof of it and neither do you. It'd behoove you to understand that next time you want to say something as farcical as you just did without giving an argument to your reason.

In WCW he was forced to take on all comers but in the WWF he ducked some pretty legit challengers such as Rick Rude, Butch Reed, JYD, Ricky Steamboat, and Curt Henning sure in JYDs and Steamboats case you can use the WWFs policy of faces not facing face champions as an argument but what about Rude Reed and Henning all three of those guys win loose or draw would've given Hogan a run for his money.

 

[harrythem]

As the main offender has been listed I'm gonna pick JBL. Mainly for the fact he only became champ because Eddie couldn't handle the pressure, he compounded that by bullying people to tears backstage, goose-stepping in Germany and, in general, being a right cunt, he deserves a mention....

And for also teaching kids the lesson that you can be: Shit and a bully and use that to get to the top