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Wrestling personas tend to be over the top, larger than life affairs. From street thugs to aristocrats, the characters in sports entertainment portray archetypes performing ritual drama. So, naturally many of them are going to be a bit strange.
But what about those wrestling gimmicks which revolve, specifically, around insanity? What conditions do they have that influence their bizarre behaviour? We take a look at some of the "Craziest" wrestlers to ever grace the squared circle
Please note we are not diagnosing the athletes themselves but rather the characters they portray.
#10 The Undertaker, Cotard's Syndrome
The Undertaker has built a career on the belief that he is not a mortal man, but a member of the walking dead. With his zombie-esque resistance to pain and more comebacks than the Rolling Stones, he has instilled shock and awe in his opponents for more than two decades.
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If one diagnoses 'Taker, the character, one comes to the inevitable conclusion that he suffers from Cotard's Syndrome. A person with this disease believes that they have already died and are nothing more than an animated corpse. Even when provided with evidence to the contrary (the person still breathes, eats, and doesn't look rotten) they will persist in their belief that they are undead.
One can imagine a scenario where the sinister Paul Bearer discovers the Undertaker suffering from this condition, then pushes him further down the road to madness in order to exploit his talents in the ring.
Treatment:
Cotard's Syndrome is not actually an official 'diagnostic entity' in the world of psychology. However, many patients are still treated for Cotard's, up to a thousand a year in the US alone. While some psychiatrists insist Cotard's is just a specific manifestation of Schizophrenia, there are specific treatment plans for those suffering from Walking Dead syndrome.
Doctors usually treat Cotard's with anti-depressants and psychotherapy. In rare cases, electroshock treatments are used. Most sufferers of Cotard's have a good prognosis for recovery.
#9 Bray Wyatt, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
Back in 1976, a TV movie called Sybil introduced the western world to Dissociative Identity Disorder, also sometimes called Multiple Personalities. While the patient portrayed in the movie had over 13 different personas, most patients with DID only manifest one or two extra personalities beyond their 'main' one.
It is easy to see how Bray Wyatt could suffer from this condition. His constant referrals to Sister Abigail as a separate person from himself are, in fact, quite in line with what DID sufferers experience in real life. In fact, oftentimes the different personas are unaware of each other. The alternate personas are sometimes of a differing gender or age than the patient's own.
Imagine Bray Wyatt trying to please a sister who exists only in his mind. It might explain why he seems so out of touch with societal perceptions of reality.
Treatment:
There is no known cure for DID, but long-term psychotherapy helps the individual deal with their symptoms. Since personality switches are often triggered by stress or anxiety, anti-depressants have been shown to be effective.
DID is extremely rare, so rare it is even considered to be iatrogenic, which means the patient's symptoms are brought on by the therapist's own suggestions. Bray Wyatt is not the type of man to trust modern medicine, so he may be a hopeless case.
#8 Rowdy Roddy Piper, Bipolar Disorder
Smiling and laughing one moment, smashing out someone's brains with a coconut the next, Roddy Piper is a near-perfect example of Bipolar Disorder.
People with BPD are likely to suffer from sudden shifts in mood, often with no regard to outside stimulus. They can find it hard to hold down jobs or interact with normal society due to their unpredictability.
Piper certainly had some tension with other wrestlers and was known for his sudden shifts in temperament. Check out this classic interview where he smashes a bottle over his own head to show the Sheepherders just how crazy he is.
Treatment:
There are different causes of BPD, resulting in differing treatments. If the BPD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, then drugs will be effective. If, however, the condition was brought on by trauma, then psychotherapy might be the best option.
When doctors decide when or how to treat Bipolar disorder, they often look at how it affects the life of the patient. Since Piper's manic episodes seem to work out to his advantage most of the time, he may not even require treatment.
#7 "Glorious" Bobby Roode, Grandiose Delusions/God Complex
There is no bigger fan of Bobby Roode than Bobby Roode himself, a key characteristic of those suffering from a God Complex. The God Complex is a subset of the Grandiose Delusions syndrome, a form of dementia where the patient is convinced they are some sort of great figure.
Some believe they are the reincarnation of a famous person, while others think they are actually a deity. Roode belongs to the latter category, seeing himself as a saviour-figure who will elevate his flock by his mere presence.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of the GDS, there are several options available, including drugs and psychotherapy. However, sufferers of Grandiose Delusions are some of the hardest mental patients to treat.
This is because of their belief that they are smarter and better than everyone else, so they certainly aren't going to listen to a doctor. Like many with the illness, Roode seems to be helped more than hindered by his condition, giving him great confidence and self-esteem. It is likely he would not be treated or would refuse treatment if offered.
#6 Bastion Booger, Compulsive Overeating Disorder
Lately, the United States has suffered a 'crisis' of overeating disorder, with one in six Americans thought to be suffering from the condition. Only occurring in societies where food is plentiful -- there were no diagnoses in Somalia, for example -- Compulsive Overeating Disorder is characterized by food binges, without the follow up self-induced vomiting of Bulimia, another eating disorder.
Bastion Booger, also known as Friar Ferguson until the Catholic Church threatened legal action, certainly loved to eat. Just watch him on 'commentary' with Vince McMahon on this old episode of Raw.
Treatment:
There are many different treatments for the condition, as there are many differing causes. If the Compulsive Overeating is a reaction to stress, psychotherapy or antidepressants may be required. On the other hand, if the patient has low levels of serotonin, then hormone therapy might be the best pursuit.
Lastly, sometimes the nerves in the belly that make a person feel 'full' don't work properly, and gastrointestinal surgery may be required. It's hard to imagine Bastion going in for any of those solutions since he seems quite content to put away massive quantities of food.
#5 Crazzy Steve, Smile Mask Syndrome
From his off-kilter ring entrances to his manic mannerisms -- all while wearing a broad smile--Crazzy Steve is likely to suffer from Smile Mask Syndrome. A relatively 'new' disorder, the condition was discovered by Japanese psychologists studying women working in the service industry. What they found was that prolonged, forced smiling can actually harm your mental health!
Crazzy Steve dresses in ragged clothing, wears patchwork clown makeup, and seems to be disoriented and disconnected from reality at times. Perhaps our society's lack of sympathy for the individual has driven him over the edge, where he perpetually wears a smile on his face to cover the broken, violent man within.
Treatment:
Currently, there are no drugs to treat the condition. Instead, the patient is often advised to avoid public interactions or jobs where they have to interact directly with clientele. As Smile Mask Syndrome research is still in its infancy, there are no definitively effective treatments available -- bad news for Crazzy Steve.
#4 Randy Orton, Schizophrenia
When Randy Orton made his debut, he was the cocky, handsome third-generation wrestler with a top-tier pedigree and the attitude to match. He blossomed into the "Legend Killer,' and earned the enmity of the fans.
Over time, Orton flipped from the heel/face roles repeatedly, and slowly his cocky swagger was replaced with an almost demonic need to inflict pain and punishment on his foes -- or their wives, as seen in this clip:
Clearly, Randy was no longer the "Legend Killer." Now, according to his theme music, he was "hearing voices," voices which compelled him to greater bouts of violence. This sounds a lot like Schizophrenia, a condition in which patients report different people speaking to them inside their head, among other symptoms.
Treatment:
Currently, Schizophrenia is uncurable. It can be managed, however, with the right regimen of psychoactive drugs. Unfortunately, the side effects of these medications can sometimes be as debilitating as the disease itself, meaning a pro athlete like Randy would likely not be willing to take them.
#3 Abyss, Sadomasochism
Let's face facts: When Abyss breaks out his trademark thumbtacks, fans watching know there's a high chance he will be the one to actually suffer their hundreds of jabbing points. Possessed of both a desire to hurt others and a willingness to put himself in dangerous, hardcore situations, Abyss most likely suffers from Sadomasochism.
Far from consensual bedroom play, the actual mental condition is characterized by a lack of sympathy for the suffering of others, or even taking pleasure in their suffering, while also feeling euphoric when they are caused pain.
Treatment:
Currently, the psychological profession is divided on the issue of Sadomasochism. While some believe it is a harmless pursuit when done consensually, others think that the condition is a sign of true mental illness. Treatment is often withheld unless the patient's life is severely affected by the illness.
When treatment is provided, it often takes the form of psychotherapy, though drugs are sometimes used. At over six and a half feet tall and three hundred pounds, no one is going to get Abyss to do anything he doesn't want to.
#2 Sandman, Alcoholism
In the world of professional athletes, there are a variety of pre-game methods to ensure a top-level performance. Some choose zen meditation as a way to centre themselves, while others might engage in some light cardio or sparring.
The Sandman has his own, unique pre-match ritual, which involves downing several beers--usually between drags off his cigarette. Watch every PTA's nightmare as he enters the ring in the old ECW:
The fact that Sandman has to down so many adult beverages before he engages in a profession he allegedly enjoys is a hallmark of alcoholism. Much more than binge or social drinking, Alcoholics must imbibe liquor in order to feel 'normal.'
Treatment:
As alcoholism has plagued mankind since the first fermentation, there are too many treatments to list in entirety. Most of the time, the patient will enter a program like Alcoholics Anonymous or commit themselves to a rehab clinic.
Staying in touch with family, friends, and therapists is essential for alcoholics, as there is constant temptation to return to the bottle. It's pretty hard to imagine Sandman sitting in a circle talking about his feelings... unless he's had a few cold ones.
#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin, Histrionic Personality Disorder
Stone Cold is a tough S.O.B., and he really doesn't give a damn what you think about that. Or does he? Would someone who 'really doesn't give a damn' constantly seek massive, public approval for his every action?
During his heydey as WWE champion, Austin seemed incapable of performing even the simplest action without getting the audience's approval first. This constant need for reassurance is characteristic of Histrionic Personality Disorder or HPD.
Patients with HPD often display 'excessive dramatics with exaggerated displays of emotion', which is another trait Austin certainly has, as in this clip:
Treatment:
Usually, people with HPD are difficult to treat. Part of the condition lends the delusion that they are not, in fact, sick at all, and others are just jealous of the attention they are getting. When one can get a patient with HPD to seek treatment, it usually takes the form of psychotherapy.
Teaching the patient to build self-esteem internally rather than by the approval of others is tantamount, but sometimes anti-anxiety drugs are used. Since Austin already self-medicates -- heavily --with 'Steveweisers', it seems unlikely he would, or could, get treatment. But one thing is for sure: The Texas Rattlesnake is the greatest professional wrestler of all time.
Ten of the craziest personas in wrestling, and ten diagnoses. Who said wrestling can't be educational?
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