00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at once-celebrated professional wrestlers
00:12who saw their adoring reputations plummet.
00:15We'll be focusing on individuals known primarily for their in-ring performances, excluding
00:21now-embattled pro wrestling personalities.
00:40Once a fan favourite for his over-the-top adult film star persona, Val Venis, Shawn
00:46Morley was a constant source of entertainment during the WWE's Attitude Era.
00:53However, the former Intercontinental Champion saw his devoted fanbase dwindle thanks to
01:04a series of outspoken and controversial political views on social media.
01:10His constant abrasive rants, often centred around far-reaching conspiracy theories, alienated
01:16many of his supporters.
01:18Admirers, who once enjoyed his cheeky in-ring antics, quickly found it hard to reconcile
01:23his wrestling persona with his real-life divisive social stances.
01:28Unfortunately for the Big Val Boski, it seems his popularity has completely fizzled out.
01:38Ronda Rousey burst onto the wrestling scene in 2018 with massive fanfare, this thanks
01:49to her crossover celebrity status and accomplishments in the world of mixed martial arts.
01:55While she was initially adored for her authenticity, Ronda's perceived disdainful attitude toward
02:01wrestling fans and the industry quickly soured her reputation.
02:05The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion unsurprisingly faced backlash for criticising
02:11the wrestling community.
02:35Despite her undeniable athleticism, Rousey's public attitude caused her to lose the goodwill
02:41she initially enjoyed, with many believing she didn't truly appreciate the unique
02:46world of professional wrestling.
02:50At one point in time, Enzo Amore was among the most popular WWE superstars on the roster.
02:55As a major star in NXT, Enzo and Big Cass captivated audiences when called up to the
03:02main roster.
03:08However, as the duo split up and Enzo developed a reputation for being a backstage nuisance,
03:17fan support started to diminish.
03:23Making matters worse, the charismatic performer was accused of a serious indecent assault
03:28stemming from an encounter at a Phoenix Hotel in 2017.
03:32Despite a major push by the company, Enzo was ultimately terminated in 2018 and neither
03:38his career nor public support ever recovered.
03:45The Fabulous Moolah!
03:47The Fabulous One was once heralded as a trailblazer for women's wrestling, holding a championship
03:52reign for literal decades.
04:02Moolah would later be a celebrated fixture during WWE's Attitude Era, often appearing
04:08in entertaining segments alongside fellow female wrestling pioneer, Mae Young.
04:16However, stories of her sordid past eventually came to light, with details of abusive behaviour
04:22toward trainees, financial manipulation and allegations of serious exploitation.
04:39This all led to a re-evaluation of her role within the company.
04:43Unsurprisingly, the WWE and wrestling fans alike have since distanced themselves from
04:48Moolah's tarnished legacy, which once represented women's empowerment.
05:04Alberto Del Rio
05:06Alberto Del Rio achieved great success in WWE within a short period of time, even becoming
05:12the company's first Mexico-born world champion.
05:15However, his career would ultimately be marred by troubling incidents outside of the squared
05:20circle.
05:21Subsequent legal troubles, including accusations of domestic violence, sexual assault and erratic
05:27behaviour have tarnished Del Rio's once promising legacy.
05:35His outspoken nature and public feuds have also done little to endear him to the fans
05:40who had initially rooted for his success.
05:52Once seen as a future legend in the business, Alberto now serves as a cautionary tale.
05:58Brock Lesnar
05:59Brock Lesnar has always been a polarising figure.
06:02While his physical dominance and star power can't be denied, fans became vocally frustrated
06:07with his part-time schedule and limited appearance over the years.
06:22Lesnar's tendency to dominate storylines and main event feuds, while putting in a perceived
06:28minimal effort, made audiences feel like he was taking opportunities from more deserving
06:33full-time talent.
06:35Lesnar's name also received tarnishing thanks in part to the damning allegations levied
06:40against Vince McMahon as part of a lawsuit filed by Janelle Grant.
06:57The former WWE paralegal claimed in part that McMahon offered encounters with her to persuade
07:03Lesnar to re-sign with the company during contract negotiations.
07:08Ryback
07:09Ryback once had fans chanting, ''Feed me more'', generating a significant following
07:14during his rise in WWE.
07:19However, after leaving the company in 2016, the powerhouse performer's often bitter
07:25criticism and outspoken views on wrestling business practices quickly painted him in
07:31a less favourable light.
07:36Frequently criticised for coming across as entitled and disrespectful, Ryback's online
07:42behaviour has alienated his past fans, many of whom now actively root against him.
07:49This was evident in 2021 when Ryback engaged fans with an online poll asking what they
07:55wanted to see him do next.
07:57Along with various wrestling promotions, Ryback listed an option for retirement which, you
08:03guessed it, garnered the most votes.
08:10The Ultimate Warrior
08:12Without question, The Ultimate Warrior was a beloved icon of the 80s and 90s, captivating
08:18audiences with his unmatched intensity.
08:25However, Warrior's backstage behaviour and controversial comments would ultimately tarnish
08:34his legacy.
08:36His publicised clashes with Vince McMahon and a reported tendency to no-show events
08:41earned him a reputation as difficult to work with.
08:53His status suffered another major blow when controversial speeches he made about various
08:58groups, including the LGBTQ community, came to light.
09:02And while his eventual induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, and the amends he made before
09:08his passing have helped repair the damage, many simply remember The Ultimate Warrior
09:12as a deeply flawed person.
09:15Hulk Hogan
09:16For millions, Hulk Hogan was the face of professional wrestling, not to mention a global hero.
09:28Heck, even the Hulkster's infamous WCW heel turn managed to draw lapsed fans back to his
09:35Unfortunately, Hogan's career has taken a nosedive since hanging up his boots.
09:54For one, a leaked tape revealing racist remarks led to significant backlash from fans, friends
10:01and colleagues alike.
10:14Hulk's past locker-room politics have also been called into question, as well as his
10:19penchant for bending the truth in his favour.
10:22Hogan's public political stance has also further polarised him from a segment of the
10:27audience.
10:28I suppose that explains why he was nearly booed out of the building on Netflix's Raw
10:33debut.
10:56Chris Benoit
10:58Wrestling fans in the mid-90s and early 2000s would have been quick to point to Chris Benoit
11:03as the pound-for-pound greatest technical wrestler in the world.
11:08His matches and a variety of promotions consistently wowed fans, making him a must-watch performer.
11:14However, unimaginable tragic events made Benoit infamous for a completely different reason.
11:20When details emerged regarding the shocking fate of Benoit and his family, the wrestler's
11:25actions devastated his fanbase.
11:35WWE has since distanced themselves from his memory altogether, and Chris has essentially
11:40been scrubbed from pro-wrestling history.
11:48Which wrestler's fall from grace shocked you the most?
11:51Share your thoughts down in the comments.
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