For over 30 years, shock jock radio star Howard Stern has made his living essentially practicing Eric Bischoff’s philosophy - “controversy creates cash.” He has interviewed all kinds of people from all walks of life and has gotten them to open up about a litany of some of the most (usually) closely guarded items of a person’s life.
Some of the wrestlers have been no different when they show up to talk to Howard. His ability to make anyone he interviews feel so comfortable to let down their guard is one of the many reasons he’s been so successful - and some of these reveals have been headline making.
8 John Cena's Escapades With Women
Despite WWE trending more towards PG, in 2006, The Ruthless Aggression Era was in full swing. That meant that the WWE Champion, John Cena - childhood superhero - was on the show, where he was supposed to hype The Marine. He also spent a good chunk of time getting graphic about a few experiences he had with groupies.
First was at a “ratty strip club” where he apparently took two ladies home. The NFSW interview got even deeper when The Face That Runs The Place detailed more of his fairly unprejudiced escapades.
7 Vince McMahon on his marriage
To be fair, any time Vince McMahon went on to any interview, a wild time was bound to ensue (re: Playboy Interview, Bob Costas). The Chairman came onto Howard’s show shortly before WrestleMania 17 and prior to WWE buying WCW - the calm before the storm.
But the rest of that “calm” involved McMahon speaking publicly about he had been faithful to Linda for the past six years and that he’d “take any woman with a skirt” to bed. In light of the recent allegations, this interview and most of McMahon’s got creepier.
6 Stephanie McMahon shares her preferences
If her own father could go on Howard and open up to The King Of All Media, so could The Billion Dollar Princess. As insiders have said over the years that Stephanie is a lot like Vince, she too seems to relish in walking the tightrope between character and real life.
She spoke openly about how she and Triple H got together before answering fan questions - one of which involved where on her body she supposedly really likes in the bedroom, and that was the least innocuous question! Stephanie was even better than Vince at walking that fine line, and it was clear she was enjoying Howard’s questions.
5 Ric Flair insults Chris Kanyon
It might not have been very salacious what the Nature Boy Ric Flair said when he called into The Howard Stern Show. But it was pretty powerful too. Stern was talking to Chris Kanyon about a litany of topics. Naitch went into DEFCON1 during the conversation and called into the show on defense of WWE.
He essentially told Kanyon, one of the most innovative stars WCW ever produced was washed up and didn’t deserve a spot in WWE. He was a good wrestler but didn’t have enough charisma. Years later during Dark Side’s Kanyon episode, it was revealed these comments really cut Chris to the bone…
4 Kanyon Alleges Why He Was Released From WWE
One of the reasons that Ric Flair went into “defend WWE” mode while burying Chris Kanyon during his time on Stern, was that Kanyon had some strong words against the company.
The Innovator Of Offense made very strong allegations that the only reason he was let go from the company was because he had come out as a gay wrestler. He had claimed that he asked Stephanie for a chance to be the first "out" wrestler and was turned down.
3 Hulk Hogan on his first marriage
Certainly Hulk Hogan had the penchant to be an absolute train wreck when hanging out with supposed friend, Bubba The Love Sponge. But how far would the train veer off the tracks with Howard?
Hulk revealed sordid details about his fractured relationship with Bubba as well as his ex-wife Linda. He also spoke highly of his new wife and their love life together as well as what supplements Hogan takes to help him in that regard.
2 Trish and Lita open about pay gap
As usual, whenever two gorgeous ladies come onto the show, Howard can hardly contain himself. Us wrestling fans can’t blame him either when it comes to Team Bestie - WWE hall of famers Lita and Trish Stratus. The duo came to the show to discuss a topic Howard was very interested in - their tag team bra and panties match against Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson at Invasion.
The fun started right away during their pre-interview interview, explaining to the producer that they weren’t wearing panties today, so Howard wouldn’t be able to convince them to strip. They were definitely ahead of the curve when briefly discussing the pay discrepancies of the roster. The conversation also led to how they were ladies with feminine physiques as opposed to Chyna’s more “beefy” frame, as well as the lesbian connotations of a Bra and Panties match.
1 Goldust on Terri Runnels
On the eve of WrestleMania 19, Goldust was enjoying a new lease on his career thanks to a partnership with Booker T and a mishap where via electrocution, he had suffered a neurological disease that presented like Tourette’s Syndrome. Naturally, that meant Howard and band of freaks loved Goldust and poking fun at his “affliction.”
Goldust came to the show in full gimmick and stuttered up a storm, including less than favorable comments about his ex-wife Terri and what happened on the plane ride from hell.