The Wildest TV Moments in WWE History

WWE, the world's premier professional wrestling promotion, has been broadcasting wrestling since the 1950s. The inaugural WWE show, known as Heavyweight Wrestling, was produced under the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded by Jess McMahon and Vince McMahon Sr.

Vince McMahon later transformed wrestling into the global phenomenon it is today. This transformation included some truly unforgettable moments on TV, and here are a few of them.

Pillman’s Got a Gun
In an effort to counter WCW's rising popularity, WWE began to push the envelope with edgier content. This era saw the emergence of Stone Cold Steve Austin. In 1996, during a feud with his former tag team partner Brian Pillman, who had recently joined WWE after stints with WCW and ECW, an extraordinary TV segment was planned. Following a car accident that injured his ankle, Pillman was unable to wrestle, so WWE orchestrated a home interview. During this segment, Steve Austin was scripted to break into Pillman's house and be attacked. The segment escalated when Pillman brandished a firearm, leading to a black screen and gunshot sounds. The scene ended with Pillman dragging Austin out, though no one was actually shot. This controversial segment was so realistic that it prompted calls to the police from concerned neighbors and viewers.

The Montreal Screwjob
The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart is one of wrestling's most storied. Their different styles and personas both on and off the camera brought an intense dynamic to their feud. This rivalry culminated at Survivor Series 1997, during a match for Hart's WWE Championship. In a shocking turn of events, referee Earl Hebner called for the bell as Michaels applied the sharpshooter on Hart, despite Hart not submitting – an incident famously known as the Montreal Screwjob. Hart left WWE following this incident, and Vince McMahon's role in orchestrating it made him one of wrestling's most notorious heels.

Hulk Hogan Turns Heel
In one of wrestling's most pivotal moments, Hulk Hogan, who joined WCW in 1994, turned heel at the Bash at the Beach pay-per-view. He aligned with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, known as the Outsiders, marking his first heel turn in over 25 years. The audience's shock was palpable, with fans expressing their disbelief by throwing trash into the ring.

Scott Hall's WCW Debut on Nitro
Scott Hall's appearance on the May 27, 1996, episode of Monday Night Nitro was a watershed moment in wrestling history. His sudden emergence among the audience and subsequent promo in the ring signified a new era. Hall's arrival set the stage for the creation of the New World Order and intensified the wrestling wars between WCW and WWE.

Miss Kitty Exposes Herself
During the late '90s and early 2000s, women's wrestling often lacked the respect it deserved. A prime example of this was the 1999 Armageddon pay-per-view, where Miss Kitty competed in an Evening Gown pool match for the Women's Championship. After winning the match, Miss Kitty shockingly removed her evening gown, revealing her undergarments, before briefly exposing herself, only to be quickly covered up.

Sid's Leg Injury
Sycho Sid, a wrestler who worked for both WCW and WWE, suffered a gruesome leg injury during a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match against Scott Steiner. Advised by WCW management to perform a high-risk move, Sid attempted a Big Boot from the second rope but landed disastrously, breaking his leg in a visibly painful and career-impacting moment.