Do you know there are certain things you don’t know about WWE even as a die-hard fan?
Doubt me? Keep reading and you will discover some mind-blowing facts about WWE that you didn’t know before.
1. The Undertaker’s Original Character Was Almost an Egg-Based Gimmick
In late 1990, WWE (then WWF) launched one of its most mysterious marketing campaigns. For weeks, they hyped up a giant egg that would hatch at Survivor Series.
Many fans don’t know that the original plan wasn’t for the infamous Gobbledy Gooker to emerge – it was supposed to be The Undertaker.
Vince McMahon had envisioned an egg-based character for Mark Calaway, complete with a different gimmick and costume.
Thankfully, Calaway convinced the creative team to go with his “Dead Man” persona instead. During his meeting with McMahon, he pitched the dark, supernatural character we all know today, drawing inspiration from western undertakers and horror movies.
The egg storyline still went ahead, but with Hector Guerrero (Eddie’s brother) inside the costume instead, becoming the ill-fated Gobbledy Gooker.
The character was immediately rejected by fans and is now remembered as one of wrestling’s biggest flops.
Meanwhile, The Undertaker went on to become one of the most iconic characters in professional wrestling history, with a legendary career spanning three decades.
2. Andre the Giant’s Legendary Undefeated Streak
From 1973 to 1987, Andre the Giant accomplished something that modern wrestling fans might find hard to believe.
The Eighth Wonder of the World maintained an undefeated streak that would make Roman Reigns’ recent run look modest by comparison.
Over these 15 years, Andre competed in more than 1,000 matches without suffering a single pinfall or submission loss.
The Real Story Behind the Streak
While WWE heavily promoted this undefeated streak, the reality was even more fascinating.
Andre did actually lose a few matches during this period, primarily in Japan, but WWE never acknowledged these defeats in their territory.
The promotion carefully protected Andre’s aura of invincibility, using creative booking strategies like count-outs, disqualifications, and tag team matches to keep his streak intact while still allowing for competitive matches.
The streak finally came to its official end at WrestleMania III, when Hulk Hogan not only defeated Andre but did so in spectacular fashion, body-slamming the 520-pound giant in front of 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome.
This moment became so legendary that many forget Andre had actually been slammed before – just never on such a grand stage.
3. The Rock vs. John Cena’s “Once in a Lifetime” Deception
When WWE marketed The Rock versus John Cena as “Once in a Lifetime” at WrestleMania 28, they were already planning their rematch for the following year.
This revelation shocked fans who felt betrayed by the marketing, but it actually represented one of WWE’s most ambitious long-term booking strategies.
Behind the Scenes
The entire two-year program was meticulously planned out before the first match even took place.
Every major angle, from their initial confrontation to the final bell at WrestleMania 29, was mapped out in advance.
This included Rock’s return to WWE, his hosting gig at WrestleMania 27, the year-long build to their first match, and the eventual rematch for the WWE Championship.
The planning was so detailed that both performers knew who would win each match before they even started the program.
This level of long-term storytelling is rarely seen in professional wrestling, where plans often change weekly due to injuries, crowd reactions, or creative differences.
4. Kane’s Mask: A Horror Movie Legend’s Creation
The original mask, contrary to popular belief, wasn’t made of metal but of high-grade leather, carefully crafted and painted to achieve its distinctive look.
Costing over $5,000 to produce, it remains the most expensive mask ever created for a WWE superstar. Throughout Kane’s career, the mask went through numerous iterations, each telling part of his character’s story.
Each version of the mask had its own unique features and practical considerations. The original design included working mechanisms for Kane’s entrance pyro and hidden air holes for better breathing.
The mask also had specialized padding to prevent injury. Later versions would incorporate different materials and designs, but none ever matched the intricate craftsmanship of the original.
5. WWE’s Bizarre Wrestling Ban
In 2006, Vince McMahon implemented one of his most controversial internal policies: banning the word “wrestling” from WWE television and promotional materials.
This wasn’t just a casual suggestion – it was a strictly enforced rule that affected every aspect of the company’s presentation.
The Impact on Production
Commentators had to carefully navigate their way through broadcasts without using terms like “wrestling” or “wrestler.” Instead, they were instructed to use phrases like “sports entertainment” and “WWE Superstar.”
The ban was so strict that writers would receive financial penalties if wrestling-related terms appeared in their scripts.
This led to some awkward moments on television, with announcers and performers clearly struggling to avoid using the most natural words to describe what they were doing.
The policy extended to promotional materials, merchandise, and even wrestler contracts, where the term “sports entertainer” replaced “professional wrestler.”
6. Triple H’s Forgotten French Persona
Triple H was supposed to debut as Reginald DuPont Helmsley, a name that thankfully never made it to television.
The French aristocrat gimmick lasted only a few weeks before being modified into the Connecticut blueblood character, Terra Ryzing, which eventually evolved into Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
This early misstep actually helped shape Triple H’s career trajectory.
Frustrated with the limitations of his character, he began studying the business side of wrestling more seriously, leading to his eventual position as one of WWE’s most influential figures both in and out of the ring.
7. Stone Cold’s Career-Defining Moment Almost Didn’t Happen
The “Austin 3:16” promo, widely credited with launching the Attitude Era and Stone Cold’s meteoric rise to superstardom, came dangerously close to never happening.
After winning the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, producers were ready to cut Austin’s interview time because the show was running long.
The Snake’s Intervention
Ironically, it was Jake “The Snake” Roberts, the man Austin had just defeated, who convinced producers to let him speak.
Roberts, understanding the importance of post-match interviews, argued that Austin needed the mic time to capitalize on his victory.
This three-minute segment would go on to launch the most financially successful period in professional wrestling history.
The promo itself was largely improvised, with Austin drawing inspiration from Roberts’ born-again Christian character and recent biblical references.
The line “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass” wasn’t planned but became an instant catchphrase, leading to millions in merchandise sales and defining the Attitude Era’s tone.
8. Warrior’s Ultimate Commitment to Character
In 1993, James Hellwig took character commitment to an unprecedented level by legally changing his name to “Warrior.”
This wasn’t a publicity stunt or temporary measure – it was a permanent legal change that affected every aspect of his life and his family’s documentation.
The Legal Legacy
This decision had far-reaching implications. His children’s birth certificates list their father’s name simply as “Warrior.”
When he married, his marriage license had to be issued to “Warrior.” The change was partially motivated by ongoing trademark disputes with WWE, but it represented something deeper – a complete merger of the man and the character.
This level of commitment to a wrestling persona remains unmatched in the industry.
While other wrestlers have changed their names to their ring names (like Edge legally becoming Adam Copeland), none have gone to the extent of adopting a single-word legal name based on their character.
9. Vince McMahon’s Legendary Double Quad Tear
At the 2005 Royal Rumble, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon suffered what would be a career-ending injury for most people.
He tore both quad muscles simultaneously while attempting to slide into the ring during the controversial finish between Batista and John Cena.
Leading by Example
Instead of being carried out on a stretcher, McMahon demonstrated the kind of toughness he expected from his performers.
He remained seated in the ring, continuing to give orders and direct the segment while sitting cross-legged, acting as if nothing was wrong.
The moment became legendary among wrestling fans and a testament to McMahon’s dedication to the show.
The incident required multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation, but McMahon was back on television within a few months, maintaining his physically demanding on-screen character despite the serious injury.
10. The Championship Belt That Became a Life Saver
In 2007, during a WWE house show in South America, Chris Jericho experienced one of the most dangerous moments of his career.
A deranged fan managed to rush the ring armed with a knife, attempting to attack the then-Intercontinental Champion.
The Golden Shield
In what could only be described as divine intervention, the attacker’s blade struck the metal plates of the championship belt Jericho was wearing.
The impact left a significant dent in the historic title belt but potentially saved Jericho’s life.
This incident led to increased security measures at WWE events worldwide and added a new chapter to the Intercontinental Championship’s storied history.
The belt itself was preserved and is occasionally displayed at WWE Axxess events, serving as a reminder of how real the dangers of professional wrestling can be.
The Real Stories Behind the Curtain
These incredible facts remind us that professional wrestling’s real stories are often more fascinating than the scripted ones we see on television.
From near-misses with tragedy to career-defining moments that rarely happened, these behind-the-scenes revelations show just how many moving parts go into creating the spectacle we know as WWE.
Next time you’re debating wrestling history with fellow fans, drop one of these knowledge bombs – just be ready to back up these seemingly unbelievable tales with the true stories behind them.
