WWE had arguably its most hectic decade in the 2010s with various massive changes. The importance of social media lasted all ten years with fans now having a closer look at the product and the behind the scenes aspect of wrestling. NXT launched under Triple H’s guidance and the WWE Network provided a new outlet for the company’s changes.
Backstage moments continued to grow more fascinating with stories leaking or even being shown on camera. The shocking moments showed just how different the times were with wrestling completely unlike the past. WWE entered a new era with many of the biggest memories coming off camera.
10 Big Show trying to stop Kofi Kingston from joining New Day
New Day became one of the most successful acts of the 2010s with Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods bringing their chemistry to the on-screen product. There were a few skeptics since Big E and Woods had yet to achieve much success in WWE.
Big Show tried to talk Kingston out of this idea with fears that it would ruin his career. New Day joked about how Big Show buried Woods and Big E a few feet away from them when trying to warn Kofi of this harming his chances at moving up the card. Big Show was more than content to admit how wrong he was when discussing it with the trio these days.
9 Dean Ambrose being told to mock Roman's cancer battle
The heartbreaking moment of Roman Reigns announcing he was leaving WWE during his battle with leukemia changed the landscape. Dean Ambrose betrayed Seth Rollins later that night for a vicious heel turn to end The Shield again.
WWE made Ambrose throw a few insults towards Roman, but it was planned to be much worse. Ambrose told all after leaving WWE by claiming that he refused to say something too disrespectful about his friend that would have lost the company sponsors.
8 Kevin Nash was the original plan for Anonymous Raw GM
One of the most drawn-out storylines featured the anonymous Raw General Manager running the show via emails read by Michael Cole. Fans had high expectations based on how long the storyline lasted with assumptions of a huge name as the reveal.
Former WWE writers revealed that Kevin Nash was the name planned to be the GM when his TNA contract ended. The idea never played out and WWE completely gave up on the idea. Hornswoggle was revealed as the GM months later after it ended as a comedic moment.
7 Vince banned Styles Clash without knowing the move
Vince McMahon is a strict boss when it comes to enforcing rules that he believes in for WWE. AJ Styles joining the company was a huge addition that many fans hoped to see for over a decade before it happened.
However, Vince elected to ban the Styles Clash finisher based on others informing him of past injuries with the move. Chris Jericho revealed that McMahon had never even watched the move before banning it. Once the move was described by Jericho wanting to take it, Vince approved it and AJ was allowed to use it moving forward.
6 Enzo getting kicked off tour bus
Enzo Amore was one of the most controversial wrestlers for WWE in the 2010s. The actions backstage of never having a filter and often crossing the line caused the locker room to turn on him during his short main roster run.
Roman Reigns specifically made a stand as a locker room leader by kicking Enzo off a tour bus in the United Kingdom. The aftermath saw Enzo dressing outside of the WWE locker room and being moved to the cruiserweight division before his eventual release.
5 CM Punk telling off Triple H
CM Punk was never shy about expressing his opinion even when it gave him problems backstage. Triple H and Punk never got along with rumors of backstage heat going all the way back to Punk’s time in developmental.
The controversial moment of Triple H beating Punk during Punk’s hottest run in 2011 made fans wonder if it was an intentional burying. Punk brought it up in his final WWE meeting, insulting Triple H to his face before telling Vince McMahon he was gone.
4 Big E almost received the Roman push
Big E recently confirmed prior reports that he was on the shortlist of prospects viewed as future world champions by Vince McMahon. The early careers of Roman Reigns and Big E put them both on the same tier before their eventual main roster runs.
McMahon was reportedly higher on Big E and that played a role in his NXT Championship reign to gain relevant experience. Triple H believed Roman was the right person for the future spot and Vince eventually soured on Big E to agree.
3 Brie Bella not allowed to be part Bryan's WM 30 celebration
Daniel Bryan revealed he had one regret about his iconic WrestleMania 30 main event title win and celebration. WWE prevented his wife Brie Bella from making her way to the ringside area to celebrate with him and his family.
No reason was given for the decision, but WWE felt it was right to keep her backstage. Bryan instead celebrated with his sister and young niece as confetti rained into the ring to end the historic night. The decision was odd given how much WWE pushed their relationship in prior and future angles.
2 Sika upset after Roman loses WM 31 main
WWE completely changed the plans of WrestleMania 31 due to fan rejection of Roman Reigns’ push. Seth Rollins cashed in Money in the Bank to win the WWE Championship by pinning Roman to end Brock Lesnar’s reign.
Reigns’ father Sika was reportedly livid backstage and verbally expressing his feelings about the company changing plans. The future was still bright for Roman as he eventually moved into the role as one of the faces of the company.
1 Shane McMahon wanting to fight Brock Lesnar
Another controversial WrestleMania show featuring Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns almost led to a fight backstage. WWE once again changed plans at WrestleMania 34 by having Lesnar retain the title instead of the big Roman win.
Brock was the one upset since fans heckled the entire match and showed little investment into the main event. WWE 24 cameras showed the moment of Lesnar throwing the Universal Championship at Vince McMahon in frustration. The aftermath was hidden by WWE as Shane reportedly confronted Brock before they were separated. Shane was more than ready to take a beating to defend his father.