Wrestling is a very complicated business. It’s one packed with monstrous egos but that’s openly encouraged. If you don’t have the attitude to be the best, you shouldn’t be in the business in the first place. It’s tricky as you have to work the politics, make connections and, yes, suck up to the right people. Those who do so are able to succeed and win major respect. Of course, it can be tricky as this is a business where you can like a guy’s work but hate him personally. Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are tops in two guys respected for their star power but hated for their spotlight-hogging politics. Triple H isn’t far from that either and there are numerous other examples. Yet it’s surprising how guys fans tend to dislike are well respected backstage due to the unique vibe of workers.

But too many times, folks have lost respect majorly from their coworkers. It’s usually their egos, making themselves sound like massive deals and even openly lying about their power and influence. Other times, they make actions that hurt them from botches to fights and tends to make them look worse. A few already had bad reps and it got worse while others were once highly respected but then ruined it. From stupid comments to horrific actions, here are 15 wrestlers who lost the respect of their peers.

15 Ryback

Given that his entire act was basically a poor man’s Goldberg, maybe it’s not surprising Ryback got a similar ego. He had some drive early on but fans didn’t take to such a rip-off and thus his standing in WWE sank. This affected him a lot as he was soon bad-mouthing the company constantly as well as shots on workers. Thus, his firing came as a relief. But what’s really turned people off is Ryback’s attitude since he left.

He acts like he was an A-list talent held back by politics, but the fact is, his act just didn’t work and he has taken to telling some zany stories.

That includes claiming he was to face the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania XXX despite how WWE and Warrior’s widow claimed that was never even discussed. He also claims he was to be WWE Champion by the end of 2016; he was to squash AJ Styles at Mania 32; that he was outselling John Cena’s merchandise; that he came up with The Shield’s Triple Power Bomb; and that’s not mentioning shots on workers like “Kevin Owens needs to work out.” Few things tick folks off than a guy blatantly lying to make himself sound a bigger deal and why few appreciate Ryback today.

14 Goldberg

Goldberg had a great run in WCW, the company realizing quickly what they had and pushing him with his undefeated streak and title runs. But that same mega-push for a rookie soon led to a massive ego on Goldberg that caused him problems. Chris Jericho says Goldberg made the mistake of listening to the wrong people and thus used his clout to shoot down what could have been big programs and feuds. Granted, he wasn’t helped by how WCW turned into a mess but his own attitude rubbed people wrong.

That continued in his WWE run, walking in like he was owed something due to being a star in WCW.

His decision to just leave right after WrestleMania XX did not go down well, not to mention the constant slams of the company over the year.

His return was marked by that same attitude, everyone knowing he was there for just a few matches and a big payday and not caring if he put in more time. He even flaunted his big earnings in front of others and thus few in the business are sorry he’s gone again as the man became off too egotistical thanks to that mega push.

13 CM Punk

For a time, Punk was respected as the little guy fighting the big boss. Many felt he was saying what they all felt with his “pipe bomb” on Vince and ripping WWE for its idiotic ways. But Punk’s attitude has also rubbed folks the wrong way with his ego and rather jerk like behavior. Indeed, many see his “just keeping it real” line as a cover to just act as much a jerk as humanly possible. The stories of fans who have been coldly dismissed by Punk when asking for autographs are plentiful and that has angered wrestlers on how he’s ignoring the people who made him a star.

Not helping is how Punk has been seriously bad-mouthing WWE and while he may have a point, some think he goes too far in personal attacks on Triple H and even Stephanie.

That he acts like UFC is so much bigger than WWE doesn’t help so while some may respect Punk’s in-ring abilities, they hate how the man has turned into his own biggest fan and hurt his standing with wrestlers.

12 Mil Mascaras

The “Man of a Thousand Masks” was a breakthrough for luchadores. Long before that style was popular, Mascaras was bringing it to attention in the U.S. with his great high-flying attitude and moves. His multiple masks gave him more an aura of mystery and pushed him more. He didn’t get many titles in the U.S. but he was a great attraction. However, to many of his peers, Mascaras was also a ridiculous prima donna who refused to look bad at any time.

In his first book, Mick Foley mentions a 1990 battle with Mascaras where the guy refused to sell even the most basic moves and insisted looking great with his win. Likewise, Chris Jericho notes Mascaras having that same ego and demanding to go over wherever he went. Very few of today’s Mexican workers claim Mascaras was an influence as the man was too much about himself and while being a groundbreaker in many ways, his ego means he doesn’t have the respect he once did.

11 Sexy Star

For a brief time, there was talk of maybe getting Dulce Maria García Rivas into NXT. It’s easy to see why as she was a gorgeous lady even with that mask, a terrific high flyer and sensational worker. She was carving out a good bit in Mexico and Lucha Underground, her great look and style building up a fanbase. Sure, she had a reputation for being stiff but that just added to her appeal. But one match was enough to ruin that.

At Triplemania XXV, she faced Rosemary and successful defended her title by making her submit to an armbar. However, it soon got out that the armbar was far too brutal and Rosemary didn’t know it was going to be that way, leading to Rosemary having a dislocated shoulder.

Instantly, various workers slammed Star for this, a breaking of trust and too far injuring a co-worker. It’s unlikely she gets a mainstream job as even many in Mexico are musing about having her blacklisted. Too bad such a hot lady had to commit such an ugly act.

10 Vader

When Vader broke out in the early 1990s, he was a fantastic force. A huge man who could take off the ropes, he dominated in Japan well. His power bomb actually broke a guy’s back and was intense and foreboding. WCW managed to make him work as champion and while he had a rough attitude, he still had respect. That was until 1995 when Vader’s temper caused him to snap in a backstage altercation with Paul Orndorff.

Despite the fact he was older, semi-retired and smaller, Orndorff proceeded to beat the snot out of Vader…while wearing flip-flops.

That cost Vader a ton of respect, ruining his “tough guy” vibe. In WWE, he was lowered by bad booking and famously arrested overseas for beating up a talk show host. Harley Race openly said Vader was always his own worst enemy, a terrible attitude that turned him from a monster to a joke that few of his co-workers respected as more than a bully.

9 Baron Corbin

There are few wrestling writers more admired and respected than Dave Meltzer. Long before the internet, his Observer was dishing out the backstage goings-on to fans to bring attention to the business. He also pioneered the star rating system and fans still enjoy his writing as his word carries weight. In August of 2017, Meltzer did a piece on how Baron Corbin wasn’t ready to be WWE Champion despite some promise, just not skilled enough to carry it. It’s hardly the first time he’s dismissed someone like this and most are able to ignore it.

Instead, Corbin took to Twitter to slam Meltzer, including openly saying he had no right to judge wrestling as he didn’t do it himself. That’s like saying Roger Ebert had no standing as a film critic because he never acted. Instantly, the heat was on Corbin due to the massive respect Meltzer has in the business. That affected his push, his US title reign lasting just two months and since then, he has been stuck in the midcard.

8 Kevin Nash

Many claim that in person, Kevin Nash is a pretty cool guy to hang with. However, he’s also made more than his share of enemies thanks to his selfish attitude. In WWE, he was the champ during a horrible year of business and while it can’t all be blamed on him, his frankly lazy wrestling style didn’t help.

In WCW, he was big business but when he got the book, he made it all about him, ruining Goldberg’s winning streak, forcing Rey Mysterio to unmask and more, including slamming the highly talented Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko as “vanilla midgets.”

That’s carried over into WWE and TNA, Nash acting like it’s still 1996 and he’s this great cool guy, ignoring his age and battered body. That’s not helped by his various shoot interviews trashing people, including guys a lot more talented than he is. Sadly, Nash’s legacy is undone by his big mouth and going out of his way to tick off the folks who helped get him where he is.

7 Eva Marie

For the most part, the Women’s Revolution in WWE has been fantastic. Thanks to NXT and a serious push, female wrestlers are treated far better than the “Diva” antics of the past. But they’re not perfect and Eva Marie proves that. She looked utterly gorgeous with her lush red hair and knockout body, given a great ring entrance theme and pushed pretty well. However, it became clear she was terrible, her non-stop botches in the ring and on the mic soon becoming You Tube fodder.

What really drove co-workers off was the realization that Eva didn’t really care too much about learning the basics.

She seemed to think it was still the mid-2000s and all she had to do was look hot, do “Total Divas” and she’d be fine. That refusal to learn more about how to be a good worker meant she had few friends backstage and thus when she was cut, it was to happiness. She had the looks to make it but her refusal to be more than a pretty face lost her respect fast.

6 Alberto Del Rio

There had always been some concerns about Del Rio in WWE. He was given a massive push as an arrogant rich heel but he played the character too much in real life for clashes with others. They also weren’t happy over pushes like winning the Royal Rumble and getting a World title run as well.

When Del Rio returned, he was still strutting around with a big attitude and then came a Wellness Policy violation that led to his firing.

What’s really turned folks off is how Del Rio has bad-mouthed WWE constantly, acting like he was held back when he was given numerous opportunities to succeed.

He even acts like he’s “showing up” WWE by being in Impact despite how it’s a massive step down and this combines into a rep of a guy who acts like he’s robbed when he was spoiled rotten.

5 Muhammad Hassan

When you’re given a huge shot in WWE, it’s smart to win over your fellow workers. Muhammad Hassan never got that memo. From day one in WWE, he seemed to go out of his way to tick off everyone else in the locker room. Granted, WWE didn’t do him favors with his cliché “evil Arab” act but Hassan just made it worse. He boldly told Eddie Guerrero that he had to stop using the Camel Clutch because that was “Hassan’s move.” Eddie replied that his father had invented the hold in the first place. Hassan was soon out of control with his ego and antics and clashing with guys constantly backstage.

He tried to make amends during a tour by buying drinks for the SmackDown roster in a bar. Instead, they all glared before pouring the drinks onto the floor. Hassan was fired when an angle of attacking Taker with masked men aired the same night as terrorist attacks in London but no one stepped up to defend him on this. That speaks volumes as the man’s career since has been a mess and how he was his own worst enemy in WWE.

4 Batista

At first, Batista did have some respect of his peers. You have to give props to a guy getting into wrestling late but taking to it well. The Undertaker was always ready to give him some respect and folks appreciated their great feud. But Batista’s ego was soon rubbing guys the wrong way and plenty of backstage clashes. It got worse over the years as he was hampered by injury but as soon as he came back, expected to be treated as the top dog in the locker room. Throw in some affairs with Divas and other antics and folks didn’t enjoy having him around.

It got worse when he returned in 2014, with many upset that he was instantly given a WrestleMania push after being away for four years.

And when it became clear that Daniel Bryan was the one fans wanted more, Batista just acted up and was soon gone. He’s now a Hollywood star and few in WWE are sorry to see him go as what respect he may have had is gone thanks to his massive ego issues.

3 Enzo Amore

A breakout star in NXT, Enzo soon took off with fans thanks to his nutty style and fantastic promos. He and Cass were a good tag team but far more over with their great ring entrance mic work that got them onto the main roster. Enzo was hurt by a concussion and it seemed plans were to make Cass the real star when they finally split. However, an injury to Cass put Enzo in the spotlight as he won the Cruiserweight title and seemed ready to rise up more.

Of course, Enzo had rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way with his ego and openly boasting of his huge paydays. However, that was nothing when reports came of him assaulting a woman, a no-no at any time but especially in the current cultural mood. Maybe he thought he was safe as champ and face of 205 Live. But WWE proved him wrong by firing him and vacating the title. Already in poor standing, Enzo’s stock has taken a nose dive, fellow workers despising him for his actions and few are sorry to see him go.

2 Lio Rush

Rising up in CZW and then ROH, Lio Rush had a good vibe with a fun look and skills. He seemed to be doing well, even challenging Jay Lethal for the ROH title and real promise. Signed to NXT, he was starting to click with his high-flying actions and some promising promos. He was still a bit green but that’s what NXT is for, to elevate guys and he seemed ready with others talking of his promise.

In October of 2017, Rush decided it’d be smart to tweet a joke about Emma being released.

Given how Emma was a popular figure and her firing a shock, this was a very bad move. Soon, word came of Rush being slammed by fellow NXT workers and some on the main roster and he was forced to apologize. He was off TV for a while, a recent return but his heat is down as kicking a lady when she’s down isn’t a good way to win friends in WWE.

1 Chris Benoit

There are still a few who defend him on the “separate the performer from the man” idea. But the problem is Chris Benoit was his character so much which included taking so many chair shots to the head. He was one of the best technical workers of his time, a man capable of putting a four star match with most anyone. Many held him as all that was right about wrestling which is why what he’s done is so horrible. You can forgive a lot of poor things in someone’s life but killing your wife and son obviously erases any goodwill he brought to the business.

That Benoit could turn into such a monster is shocking even though the signs were all there. It’s just impossible to see his career the same way as you can feel the head shots that contributed to the end. It’s a horrible act that turned him into a pariah in wrestling and impossible for anyone to respect him, great ring worker or not, knowing what a horror he would turn into.