10 Times Wrestlers Had To Make A Public Apology For Their Actions

When you do live entertainment 52 weeks a year for at least five hours, you’re bound to make a mistake or two. Yes, for the most part, there is the old mantra that if it happens live, it’s supposed to happen, but every so often limits are passed and boundaries are pushed. This has happened across WWE, ECW, and AEW.

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That’s when it’s time to be real and break the walls of Kayfabe down. Grit your teeth and make a public apology for taking advantage of the fans’ trust in you and perhaps even your character. Sometimes it’s for something that happened in character, sometimes your personal life just got way too banana for the fans to deal with.

10 WWE Apologizes For Dom-Dom’s 'Mania Entrance

In just under a year, Dominik Mysterio has gone from a “yay, we’ll cheer you because we love your dad” babyface to one of the most hated heels in the industry. He even got more heat when he went to jail (for a few hours). Ever since he’s played off the fact he did “hard time.”

At WrestleMania 39, he wound up talking about his time in the clink and the WWE used footage of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. WWE immediately apologized for the gaffe.

9 Bobby Heenan Curses, Walks Off The Broadcast

The Loose Cannon Brian Pillman made his name by doing anything and everything he could to get a rise out of anyone and everyone. On one such evening at The Clash Of Champions, the unhinged Pillman was facing off against Eddie Guerrero and ducked away to the outside of the ring to get away from Latino Heat.

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He snagged at announcer Bobby Heenan, who had a known history of neck issues. The Brain broke character, got flustered, cussed at Pillman, and stormed off the commentary desk.

8 Seth Rollins For Photos

While the WWE Universe is all singing his song right now, there was a time when things seemed a bit shaky for The Architect. While it certainly didn’t derail the Heist of the Century and his march toward infamy at WrestleMania 31, a vengeful ex certainly tried to get Seth Rollins in deep water.

After claiming his Twitter account was hacked, it turned out that his former fiancé Leighla Schultz (no relation to Dr. D), had leaked nude pics of Rollins and his girlfriend, Zahra Schreiber. The then Mr. Money In The Bank immediately apologized for the inconvenience.

7 Triple H For Insulting Saraya

Pretty much since the moment he debuted in WWE, it seemed that not only did Triple H have the gift of gab, but he seemingly always knew how to be a master politician. Gifted in the art of deflection as well as good-natured humor, in another life The Game is running state enterprises as a Governor. However, everyone has gaffes from time to time. When discussing the possibility of injured stars like Edge and Paige returning to the ring, he foolishly said,

“More importantly than that, though, I would like to see them live long, healthy lives. You know, Edge has kids. Paige, maybe, she probably has some she doesn’t know of,”

These comments referencing her wild-child status immediately led to Triple H being dragged down and he had to apologize.

6 Paul Heyman Apologizes For Sabu No-Show

Vince McMahon isn’t the only promoter whose number one mantra is to get the match in the ring. Nearly all of them do and when they can’t get the advertised match, they have zero choice but to apologize to the fans and offer up an equal or better substitute.

Sabu was part of the main event of ECW: Three Way Dance where he was booked to team with Taz against the Public Enemy and tag champions Dean Malenko and Benoit. Sabu decided the ECW fans weren’t worth it and took a higher payday with New Japan. Heyman apologized to the fans, fired Sabu on the spot, and announced Rick Steiner as a surprise replacement.

5 DX “Apologizes” For Lewd Language And Gestures

As D-Generation X started getting rolling, Shawn Michaels was doing whatever he could to get a rise out of anyone and everyone in the name of being a degenerate. The rebel group had finally pissed off The USA Network and their censors.

They sent a letter to WWE and DX. Rather than simply stop what was working, DX actually read the letter on the air in a faux-apology that mocked the network and then-President Bill Clinton.

4 Sammy Guevara For Comments About Sasha Banks

During the Me Too Movement, it came out that The Spanish God, Sammy Guevara thought he had the right to say whatever he wanted about colleagues. One of those colleagues was Sasha Banks.

He actually said something so stupid and atrocious that it won’t be retyped here. Thankfully Tony Kahn suspended him, and he was able to get counseling to understand why he shouldn’t have ever said what he did. He has since made amends with both the fans and The Boss.

3 Hulk Hogan For Comments

Strange circumstances led to the world learning that Hulk Hogan said some less-than-pleasant things about his daughter Brooke’s then-boyfriend.

But he still said them and a hidden camera revealed that he did. He apologized for his comments, but his career and icon status were forever tarnished.

2 Raven Crucifies Sandman

ECW was all about pushing every button and boundary that there was to be pushed, good taste and ethics be damned. On one such House Show in Pittsburgh, Raven and members of The Flock beat down Raven’s mortal enemy, The Sandman.

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It wasn’t enough for Raven though as he had Stevie and The Blue Meanie actually crucify the Sandman! The move was so shocking that the raucous ECW faithful were stunned silent. Raven later in the evening, walked back out as Scott Levy and apologized if he offended anyone.

1 Vince McMahon For Benoit Tribute

The events surrounding June 22 to 24, 2007 nearly crippled the wrestling industry. Details were sketchy at the time Raw had to hit the airwaves.

The company thought quickly and went with the typical Tribute Show that the company does when one of its own passes away. As more and more details came to light, the WWE realized they made a mistake. One night later, before ECW got started, Vince apologized on behalf of the company and said his name would never be mentioned on WWE TV again.