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Controversial finishes in pro wrestling are as typical as any today. While some may have a finish that is tied to a wrestler such as the 'Dusty finish' that isn't to say some are unconventional. However, in some cases, some finishes in wrestling are often so shocking and surprising that the result didn't typically know about by all parties involved.
In some instances, there were referees, promoters, and even wrestlers that didn't fair as well or reputation that preceded them. While some have come to be common knowledge of these controversial finishes, others are not.
In fact, some of these controversial finishes date back well over a hundred years. Throughout wrestling's lore there has been a great deal of discussion behind why they have taken place. Here are a few controversial wrestling finishes fans may have heard about and a few they likely have not through wrestling's history.
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#5 Controversial Finishes You May Know About: Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels - 1997
In 1997, the wrestling world was turned on its proverbial ear as we witnessed one of the most controversial finishes of the 20th century. At the 1997 Survivor Series, Shawn Michaels faced Bret Hart for the then WWF Heavyweight Championship. As the story has often been told time and time again, the lead into the match was the decision to have Hart lose the title.
However, with the belief that Hart wouldn't 'do business' a decision was made for there to be a moment in which Michaels would win the title one way or another.
“It was a pretty close-knit group who knew about the screw job. Vince, Triple H, and Shawn were the three who planned it, and they got Jerry Brisco to come up with a plan when to execute the finish." - Bret Hart via SI.com
The result at the Molson Centre from Montreal, Quebec Canada came about with a finish that is still talked about to this day. With Hart tied up in his own finisher the sharpshooter by Shawn Michaels referee Earl Hebner called for the bell even though Bret Hart never submitted or tapped out.
The decision to have the match end in this way is what gives it a 'screwjob' moniker. However, the controversial finish didn't go unpunished. Once the match came to an end, Hart was visibly irrate at the proceedings, destroyed moniters and items at ringside. It has become one of the most recognized controversial finishes wrestling history in the last century.
#4 Controversial Finishes You May Not Know About: Frank Gotch vs George Hackenschmidt - 1911
Another of the controversial finishes that fans likely didn't hear about took place around the turn of the century. Two of the true trailblazers in wrestling history consist of Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt.
The history behind their controversial finish consist a bounty that was tied to the winner. These two were no strangers to one another. In fact, it was a few years earlier when Frank Gotch handed Hackenschmidt a loss. This match however was different. It was advertised not just as a championship match but a 'rematch of the century'. There are conflicting reports on Hackenschimdit's injury leading up to one of history's controversial finishes.
As it has been reported in the past, the book Hooker, The Authentic Wrestler's Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling (Wrestling Channel Press, 1995-2000), p. 67 then training partner of Hackenschmidt Ad Santel was awarded $5000 to injury George prior to his match.
However, Hackenschimdt has said that it was injured while with his sparring partner Dr. Roller. Whether or not Gotch knew about the injury, Hackenschimidt wanted to make amends for what happened in 1908's loss. It is one of histories controversial finishes that is still baffling.
"When I met Gotch before, I was a sick man and in no condition to wrestle.This time I will be a different man, and I will show the wrestling public that I not only have improved in my wrestling, but that I am a better man at the mat game than Gotch." - George Hackenschimdit's comments before his rematch with Frank Gotch.
How it took place wasn't documented but the fact that he was injured going into his match with Gotch was something the promoters of the event didn't want to be made known to those in attendance. Gotch dominated the injured Hackenschmidt, winning in two straight falls. This is among the first documented controversial finishes in wrestling history.
#3 Controversial Finishes You May Know About: Spiderwoman Screw - Wendi Richter vs. Spider Lady (Fabulous Moolah) 1985
One of the most notable controversial finishes that came about involved two long-time rivals. When Wendi Richter battled the Fabulous Moolah, it typically was billed about a changing of the guard.
On one side there was the longstanding champion known for her history in the sport. On the other side was the up-and-coming female talent that was believed to be the future of the women's division. Richter was tied to musician Cyndi Lauper for a period of time. However, after winning the title from Moolah something strange took place.
In 1985, Richter was scheduled to defend her title against someone known as the Spider Lady. The Spider Lady was unfamiliar to anyone there and on that fateful night, Richter saw Moolah backstage. When Moolah was confronted she didn't say she was there to compete. What was to come was one of wrestling's most controversial finishes ever.
When Richter stood across the ring from the Spider Lady it was clear who was under that mask. After a few minutes into the match, the Spider Lady rolled up Richter into small package.
However, despite having her shoulder up on the count of one the referee continued to count her shoulder for a three count. After the match, Richter pulled off Spider Lady's mask to reveal it was Moolah under the mask. Richter withheld the title from the company never to return it. This ended her time with the WWF. It is considered one of the most controversial finishes in wrestling history.
"I was so angry that I just walked right out of the building right in my wrestling suit, wrestling boots," Richter said. "I grabbed my bag, went out and hailed a cab – and it was cold; it was in November – and went to the airport in my wrestling outfit and got my ticket. And then I went in the bathroom and put my clothes on at the airport." - Wendi Richter on the Spider Lady matchup
One of wrestling's controversial finishes that is still talked about today.
#2 Controversial Finishes Didn't Know About: 1950 - Don Eagle vs Gorgeous George
Another of wrestling's controversial finishes took place at the turn of the 1950s. In the book Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped the World of Wrestling by Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hebert, shared how Eagle was slated to win the match but the finish didn't go as planned.
Before the match, much had been made about Eagle as he was a champion and defending it outside of Boston in Chicago. Much like years later when the referee in the Hart/Michaels matchup played a part in the matches finish, the same could be said here.
It took place in a match between Gorgeous George and Don Eagle.
"While Eagle only had one shoulder pinned to the mat, referee Earl Mollohan counted to three quickly and declared Gorgeous George the winner. The crowd, who noticed that Eagle had only one shoulder pinned began throwing things and started a riot. Furious at what happened Eagle chased Mollohan down the hallway after he left the ring and hit him hard between the shoulders"...
Eagle was later suspended by the Illinois Athletic commission for attacking the referee after the bout. This is likely one of the most controversial finishes in wrestling history.
#1 Controversial Finishes May Know About: NWA Title Tournament Finals 1994
Fans will recall that during the 1990s three separate promotions dominated wrestling. One of the controversial finishes in these matches involved the creation of one of those promotions. Tod Gordon who wanted to resurrect the NWA at the time owned Eastern Championship Wrestling was operated by Paul Heyman (Paul E. Dangerously). At the end of the tournament, a new champion was to be crowned.
The final match was between Shane Douglas and 2 Cold Scorpio for the championship. However, the decision was controversial because Gordon and Heyman threw down the NWA title and picked up the newly christened Extreme Championship Wrestling title while then NWA President Dennis Coraluzzo watched on in disbelief.
One of wrestling's controversial finishes was typical of ECW and seemed only fitting that they were borne out of a set of circumstances that were neither agreed upon nor predetermined before the event. It set the stage for what some have called a wrestling revolution.
ECW ushered in a more radical means of competition that became tied to an entire wrestling generation. Below are Paul Heyman's thoughts of one of wrestling's most controversial finishes ever.
"As all of this was happening, there was all of this petty bickering going on, involving the NWA-affiliated promotion in New Jersey. The time came to crown Shane Douglas as our “Franchise player” and our Extreme World Heavyweight Champion. With the New Jersey promotion kicking and screaming around every turn regarding the way we were going to crown a champion, the decision was made on our end to do everything in one fell swoop: smack down the NWA promotion in New Jersey because of the games they were playing with us; throw down the past – both physically and metaphorically – by having Shane Douglas toss the NWA Title to the mat; and most importantly, brand ECW under the name of “Extreme” and launch ourselves into the position to claim that there was WWE, WCW and now there’s ECW". - Paul Heyman on the birth of ECW
This still stands as one of wrestling's most controversial finishes to date.
