When WWE Superstars Became the Bad Guys – Without Even Trying!
From Batista getting hated for not being Daniel Bryan to The Rock stealing Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania moment, some of WWE’s biggest stars have faced unexpected backlash from fans.
Why did it happen? Was it their fault? Or did WWE mess up?
In this article, we’ll reveal the shocking moments when fans turned against Brock Lesnar, Charlotte Flair, John Cena, Hulk Hogan, and more—even when they didn’t deserve it!
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Big Mistakes
Wrestling is full of exciting moments, but sometimes, things go wrong.
Wrestlers can make mistakes, or WWE might make decisions that fans don’t like.
When this happens, fans can turn against even the biggest stars.
Today, we’ll look at some of the biggest mistakes that made WWE fans boo their favorite wrestlers—even when it wasn’t always their fault.
Batista
Batista was once one of WWE’s most beloved stars. But in 2014, fans turned against him in a big way.
Why? Because he wasn’t Daniel Bryan, the most popular wrestler at the time.
What Went Wrong?
- Batista returned to WWE in 2014 after filming Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Fans expected Daniel Bryan to win the Royal Rumble, but Batista won instead.
- The crowd booed Batista so much that WWE had to turn him into a villain (heel).
- Fans even mocked him for wearing blue wrestling gear, calling him “Bluetista.”
How It Was Fixed
WWE listened to the fans and added Daniel Bryan to the WrestleMania 30 main event, where he won the championship.
Batista later returned in 2019 as a fan favourite.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is one of the most dominant wrestlers in WWE history.
But fans have turned on him multiple times.
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Why Fans Got Tired of Him
- 2004: Fans booed him at WrestleMania 20 because they knew he was leaving WWE.
- 2014-2020: WWE kept pushing him as an unstoppable champion, but his matches became too predictable (just German suplexes over and over).
- Long Absences: He would disappear for months while holding the title, making fans frustrated.
- Controversies: Some fans turned against him due to real-life issues.
How It Was Fixed
In 2021, Lesnar returned as a fun, smiling character, and fans loved him again.
Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is one of the best female wrestlers ever.
But fans started disliking her because WWE kept giving her too many title reigns.
Why Fans Turned on Her
- She has won 14 Women’s Championships (matching her dad Ric Flair’s 16 World Titles).
- Fans felt she always won, even when other wrestlers (like Becky Lynch) deserved it more.
- Some thought she had a bad attitude, like when she threw a title belt on the floor during a segment with Becky Lynch.
Is She Still Hated?
Some fans still get annoyed when she wins too much, but most respect her incredible talent.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan was the biggest star in wrestling, but in 1993, fans had had enough of him.
What Went Wrong?
- At WrestleMania 9, Hogan stole the spotlight from Bret Hart.
- Bret had just lost to Yokozuna, but Hogan came out and won the title in seconds, making fans angry.
- Many believed Hogan did this because he was leaving WWE soon and wanted one last title run.
The Aftermath
This led to WWE moving away from Hogan and starting the “New Generation” era with younger stars like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.
John Cena
John Cena was WWE’s top hero for years, but fans eventually got tired of him always winning.
Why Fans Booed Him
- He kept beating fan favourites like Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and CM Punk.
- At SummerSlam 2010, he single-handedly defeated The Nexus (a popular villain group), which fans hated.
- The phrase “Cena Wins LOL” became a joke because his victories felt too easy.
How Fans Changed Their Minds
Over time, Cena started wrestling less, and fans began to respect his legacy. Now, he gets huge cheers whenever he returns.
The Rock
The Rock is one of the most beloved wrestlers ever, but in 2024, fans turned on him for a while.
What Happened?
- Cody Rhodes was supposed to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, but The Rock took his spot.
- Fans were furious and started the #WeWantCody movement.
- The Rock responded by becoming a villain (heel) and calling himself “The Final Boss.”
Did It Work?
Yes! The Rock’s heel turn made the story more exciting, and fans loved the drama. But some still worry he might take over WWE too much in the future.
Final Thoughts
Even the biggest WWE stars can make mistakes—or have WWE make bad decisions for them.
Sometimes, fans forgive them (like Batista and The Rock). Other times, the hate lasts longer (like with Hulk Hogan in 1993).
The lesson? In wrestling, fans have the power. If they don’t like something, WWE has to listen—or risk losing their support.
What do you think? Which WWE superstar do you think got unfair hate from fans? Let us know in the comments!