Infamously known as the “plane ride from hell,” this altercation took place on a private jet returning WWE management and wrestlers to the States from their European tour. Amongst other drunk and disorderly chaos that took place on that 7-hour flight, like the sexual harassment of flight attendants and one wrestler waking up with his long, blonde ponytail chopped off by an inebriated prankster, Brock Lesner poked Curt Hennig about his amateur wrestling skills. This erupted into a playful wrestling match with the two uncontrollably rolling around the jet, at one point, nearly bouncing into the emergency escape exit door as the competition became more and more raucous.
At least this is what was said to have happened. Brock Lesnar claims he doesn’t recall the incident as he was too drunk and stoned on Vicodin to remember. Curt Hennig was fired immediately for starting the boisterous wrestling match and for past drunkenness issues. Sadly, he died a year later of an overdose.
Dave “Batista” Bautista vs. Booker T
This unscheduled smack down took place at a beautiful Encino mansion. It was 2006 during the SummerSlam season and a group of pro wrestler stars met at the mansion to do a promo shoot. Outside by the pool, Batista and Booker T began to air their mutual hostilities toward each other, and, of course, it came to a head. Booker T told Batista he didn’t like him. He said they’d never be friends, but that they had to work together. They didn’t. Booker T and Batista beat each other to a swollen bloody mess which took at least five hulking superstars to rip them apart.
One of those referees was superstar Fin Finlay, who told RF Video, “I don’t know what started it but they were rolling on the floor. They will say that Booker T got to Dave, but that’s not how it was. Dave was on top of Booker T, you know? Booker T had a swollen eye.” Fin Finlay went on to say that’s when they pulled the fighters apart and stood them up. The two were glad to resolve their hostilities and bury the hatchet. By now, they’re even good friends.
Brock Lesnar vs. Chris Jericho
This scuffle started at the 2016 SummerSlam event. This particular wrestling match was between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, but Chris Jericho (Y2K) got involved. It played out as rehearsed, except that the final blow to Randy Orton’s head drew more blood than Brock Lesnar intended. Randy Orton’s friend, Y2K, took offense. In WWE bloody wounds are staged. The showmen target the head because head wounds bleed profusely.
During the act, the wrestler hides a sharp object to initiate the dramatic effect. Sometimes bags of fake blood are used. Not so this time. Chris Jericho saw the blood, thought the wound that required ten staples to close was intentional and excessive, and he confronted Brock Lesnar about it. They got into it, nose to nose, at very close proximity, and that’s where Chris Jericho chose to leave it.
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett
Kurt Angle was dragged into this story line after his wife divorced him and married fellow wrestler and promoter, Jeff Jarrett. To make things worse, Jeff Jarrett was Kurt Angle’s boss at the time while he worked for TNA. His wife, also involved in wrestling productions, joined in the storyline, at one point allowing her children to refer to her new husband as “Daddy Jeff” on television.
This obviously hit a nerve with Kurt Angle, whose emotions pulled him off script. He shared a few harsh words about how no one will ever replace him as father of his kids, and made clear he’s not taking part in their act. Understandable.
Brutus Beefcake vs. Haku
This one started after Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake whined about Haku slapping him too hard during a scheduled match. Once Haku caught wind that this accusation had been filed with WWF management against him by Brutus Beefcake, he took matters into his own hands. In a fit of rage, Haku went into the locker rooms, tracked down Brutus Beefcake in the showers, and went after him. Haku grabbed his throat and lifted him off the ground.
Hulk Hogan was called in as he was the only person who could calm Haku down. The rest of the crew shuddered in fear. The ferocious Haku had a formidable reputation. Brutus Beefcake said in an interview with KC that Haku once bit someone’s nose right off his face, and then spit it back out at him. Yikes! Following the shower incident, Brutus stayed on Haku’s good side!