The world of professional wrestling is full of drama, both inside and outside the ring. While recent controversies involving Vince McMahon are fresh in fans’ minds, many crazier stories have faded from memory. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore some forgotten wrestling scandals:

WWE Fires Star for Getting Pregnant: In the early 2000s, the WWE “Divas” division was known for its focus on looks over wrestling ability. Dawn Marie, caught in this era, found herself pregnant. While on maternity leave, she was fired. This incident, along with others, led to changes in how WWE handles female wrestlers and parental leave.

Vince McMahon Almost Sells WWE (Not Really): In the 1990s, Vince McMahon was untouchable. However, a storyline involving Donald Trump “buying” Raw caused chaos. Investors, unaware it was staged, panicked, causing WWE’s stock to plummet. McMahon had to quickly “repurchase” Raw.

The Miss Elizabeth Tragedy: The Macho Man Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth were once wrestling’s golden couple. Sadly, their personal lives were troubled. Elizabeth passed away in 2003 due to a mix of painkillers and alcohol. While her husband Lex Luger was charged with a DUI and domestic violence in the days leading up to her death, suspicion lingered.

Dr. D Slaps Reporter “For Real”: In the 1980s, kayfabe (the portrayal of wrestling as real) was still strong. When a reporter questioned the legitimacy of wrestling, wrestler David Schultz (aka Dr. D) legitimately slapped him on camera. Schultz was suspended and eventually fired, despite claims management told him to do it.

Pre-McMahon Sex Scandal: The recent lawsuit against Vince McMahon is not the first concerning sexual misconduct. In 1992, allegations arose that Mel Phillips and Pat Patterson had abused underage ring boys. While Phillips was fired and Patterson reprimanded, the accusations were a dark stain on the industry.

Black Saturday: WCW and WWE’s legendary Monday Night War had a dramatic beginning. Vince McMahon, wanting to cripple WCW, bought their Saturday night timeslot. Instead of WCW programming, fans saw a cartoonish WWE show, leading to terrible ratings and fan outrage.

The Stephanie McMahon and Randy Savage Rumors: The details surrounding Randy Savage’s 1994 departure from WWE remain murky. Rumors of an affair between Savage and a young Stephanie McMahon, allegedly leading to his exit, have never been substantiated.

The Pillman’s Gun Incident: One of the most shocking angles in wrestling history, the “Pillman’s Got a Gun” storyline saw Stone Cold Steve Austin seemingly get shot by a gun-wielding Brian Pillman. The incident caused a massive backlash and nearly ended the Monday Night War.

The Forgotten Steroid Scandal: The infamous “Mr. McMahon in a neck brace” steroid trial is well-known. However, a 2007 scandal involving wrestlers like Batista and Kurt Angle purchasing steroids is often forgotten. This incident, along with the Chris Benoit tragedy, led to the implementation of WWE’s Wellness Policy.

These are just a few of the many forgotten wrestling scandals. While professional wrestling may be scripted, the drama behind the scenes can often be even more shocking.