Had he not passed away long before his prime, there is no telling how crazy the legacy of Brian Pillman would have gotten - and it’s a pretty insane one, to begin with! Before he became The Loose Cannon that he became known for, Pillman was the most influential Cruiserweight in North American wrestling.

Related: 10 Wrestlers Others Wrestlers Feared

His matches with Jushin Thunder Liger helped put Liger on the map in mainstream America, and his run with Steve Austin as The Hollywood Blondes became one of the highlights of the pre-nWo WCW. There literally isn’t a phase of Pillman’s career that wasn’t memorable and influential, but it was his time as the Loose Cannon that was legendary.

9 We’re The Horsemen!

Pillman Horsemen

Brian Pillman was developing his deranged Loose Cannon character while he was still an integral part of The Four Horsemen. He was also engaged in a feud with Kevin Sullivan, who was leading The Dungeon Of Doom. The two factions were trying to forge an alliance to stop Hulk Hogan once and for all. But Pillman was too much of a wild card. During one promo while Arn Anderson tried to assuage the situation, Pillman wouldn’t stop antagonizing Sullivan until Double-A slapped him.

8 Pillage & Plunder

Pillman KOTR 96

On the same night as Stone Cold Steve Austin’s instantly iconic 3:16 promo, The Loose Cannon has hobbled to the ring to give the WWE Universe a piece of his mind.

Related: Edge & Every Other King Of The Ring Winner To Become World Champion

He began the interview commenting “no wonder Jeffrey Dahmer tried to consume the whole city” and descended farther into madness as he proclaimed while the WWE was going to crown a new king, Pillman had threatened to “rape, pillage, and plunder” the entire federation.

7 Rattled The Brain

Pillman ECW

Live TV was the perfect place for Pillman to perfect and hone his Loose Cannon persona. There was no way to edit or control him. Case in point - a Clash Of Champions XXXII match against Eddie Guerrero. On any other day, a match between these two light heavyweights would be remembered for being legendary. But instead, it’s more well known for being the time when Pillman retreated to the outside of the ring and unexpectedly grabbed commentator Bobby Heenan. The usually unflappable Heenan was certainly flapped and had cursed Pillman out live on the air.

6 I Respect You Bookerman

I Respect You Bookerman

Nowadays, so many wrestling fans know a lot about the inner workings of the pro wrestling industry. But in 1996, Kayfabe was still very much in play and that’s what helped The Loose Cannon character get over so well. Fans couldn’t tell if Pillman had legitimately snapped or not. To help sell it, Pillman’s feud with Kevin Sullivan led to a “Respect Strap Match” at Superbrawl. Instead of actually having a match, they had a super brawl which ended in Pillman mockingly telling Sullivan, “I respect you Bookerman,” referring to Sullivan's status as WCW booker. He then simply left the ring, leaving fellow Horsemen Arn Anderson to pick up the pieces.

5 Working The Boys

Pillman

It wasn’t found out until years later when his colleagues and friends began to tell the story of The Loose Cannon, but nearly everyone in the orbit of Pillman had virtually no idea that all of Brian’s antics were part of a new gimmick.

Related: 10 Promotions WWE Should Try And Work With

Even close friends like Jim Ross, Mick Foley, and Steve Austin didn’t want to ask him, afraid of the answer. Jim Ross finally reached out and even the Pillman left him hanging before letting Good Ol’ JR in on the gimmick.

4 The Loose Cannon In ECW

Brian Pillman

After convincing Eric Bischoff to grant him a legitimate release, Brian Pillman then showed up at the ECW Arena. For several moments, he was cheered like a conquering hero. All of that changed when he almost immediately heeled the crowd and invited a near riot when he threatened to...um...go to the bathroom live in the ring. Despite nothing actually happening and being shown, some of the fans in the audience that night swear they saw all of The Loose Cannon.

3 Fork The Fans

Pillman ECW 1

Walking into the rapid ECW Arena and purposely make yourself public enemy number one is not always an easy task. But The Loose Cannon was able to pull off this feat within mere seconds of his surprise debut. The crowd was already calling for the guy’s head as he was escorted out of the ring after threatening to urinate in the ring. Not satisfied with the amount of his chaos, Pillman snatched a fan from the front row and dragged him into the ring. He would then take out a fork and start wailing on the guy until Shane Douglas came in to make the save.

2 Brian Pillman’s XXX Files

Terri Runnels

While he was still Flyin,’ Bryan Pillman was dating Terri Boatright, aka Terri Runnels aka Marlena. That underlying real-life situation made it even easier for The Loose Cannon to get into the heads of both Marlena and Goldust.

Related: Every Version Of Dustin Rhodes, Ranked From Worst To Best

He would eventually win the right to have Marlena as his personal assistant for 30 days. Pillman’s demented mind featured Marlena remade in his image with slick-backed hair; tight leather, and a nose ring. Pillman would also film the XXX Files, which featured Pillman implying he crossed all kinds of lines with Marlena.

1 Pillman 9MM

Pillman 9mm

Steve Austin crippled Brian Pillman in the ring and while he was at home convalescing, The Texas Rattlesnake vowed to go to Brian’s house to finish the job. This was one of the first real instances of where the line was crossed and WWE crashing right through it. The Loose Cannon stared right at the camera and brandished a 9MM handgun, letting Austin know that he was more than ready for him. It instantly became and forever has been one of the most controversial pieces of TV WWE has ever produced. But also, thanks to Pillman, this was one of the most memorable moments of the early Attitude Era.

Next: The 10 Most Brutal Women's Rivalries In WWE History