5 massive fines WWE Superstars were forced to pay

WWE can be an incredible place to work, and for many superstars, it is a dream come true.

After toiling away for years on the independent scene or elsewhere, you've finally made it to the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, and are able to make some serious money.

Unfortunately, this money can often come and go very quickly, if you end up breaking a rule backstage, and having to face a fine.

These fines have hit tons of superstars, and though many were able to pay them without concern, they probably weren't happy about it at all.

Here are five (more) massive fines the company forced WWE Superstars to pay.

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#5 Animal and Bundy get threatened for their pants

Both Animal and Bundy were threatened with a fine

Not Batista (this time), this fine nearly ruined Road Warrior Animal and King Kong Bundy, all over their choice of pants.

When the two were traveling together in the early 90s, the Powerhouses obviously wanted to dress comfortably when on the road, with Animal wearing jeans on a flight, and Bundy making the scandalous decision to wear shorts.

By now you should know what’s coming. McMahon was outraged over the clothing choices, and threatened both men with fines, though it’s unclear if any money changed hands.

Remember that this was back in the early 90s, long before the official company dress code which got superstars like Rey Mysterio and Johnny ‘The Bull’ in trouble, making this seem extra unfair.

Perhaps this controlling nature of Vince is why so many past superstars issued a lawsuit against the chairman, which cited long-term concussion issues that McMahon allegedly allowed, though the case was dropped in September 2018.

Thankfully this is the last incident of the dress-code on this list, but it goes to show in the WWE, always dress to impress.

#4 Bryan and Orton use a chair

Bryan and Orton faced heavy fines after their 2013 street fight

In June 2013, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton battled on RAW, in one hellacious Street Fight.

Throughout the barbaric bout, both World Champions used a steel chair, hoping to add some intensity to the match.

Despite Michael Cole immediately saying this was legal due to the match stipulation, the chair shots did not go down well with the boss, as McMahon fined both men very publicly, with the punishment being announced on WWE.com.

We have to agree with Vince on this one, as whilst the chair shots certainly made the match more interesting, the long-term effects of chair shots to the head can be devastating.

Although they were once seen as harmless, the long-term effects of chair shots to the head have been made clearer in recent years.

Whilst the exact amount of the fine was never given by the company, Randy Orton told WWE.com how much it was, saying - “trust me, it was enough.”

#3 Johnny ‘The Bull’ Stamboli wears a hat

Stamboli appeared in both WCW and WWE

For any of you who may not remember Johnny Stamboli, the Italian-American Stereotype had some success near the end of WCW, before being signed to the WWE once WCW finally died.

Appearing with Nunzio and Chuck Palumbo in 2003, The Bull had some small feuds on SmackDown, appearing as a classic mobster, complete with a bowler hat.

Funnily enough, it was that same hat that got Stamboli in a lot of trouble, as he was fined US$500 for wearing it on a bus at three in the morning.

In their defense, the WWE had only just instrumented a very strict dress-code on its superstars, which Stamboli clearly wasn’t aware of.

Perhaps the WWE would rather he just carry the hat in his hands, though this won’t be the last time we see someone on this list fined for wearing clothes.

Maybe the mobster parody should just be grateful he wasn’t left sleeping with the fishes after the ordeal.

#2 Batista bleeds inside the cage

The Animal 'Batista' was heavily fined after this 2008 cage match against Chris Jericho

WWE has often had a strange relationship with blood, and though at times it was allowed, the bodily fluid has been banned ever since the company turned PG.

Despite this, the Animal knowingly bladed during a Steel Cage World Title match against Chris Jericho, which saw the Marvel star hit with a US$100,000 fine.

Despite acting alone, Jericho, the referee, and the match producer were also fined smaller amounts, though the Animal paid for them too, realizing his mistake.

According to interviews with the Animal, Batista was absolutely crushed to be fined six figures and realized his career was coming to an end.

Just over a year later, Batista retired in 2010, and despite a brief return in 2014 and 2019, has only wrestled a handful of matches since.

#1 Titus O’Neil should keep his hands to himself

The Boss faced severe backlash from fans after he suspended and fined Titus O'Neil in 2016

When Daniel Bryan retired in 2016, everyone was emotional. Being applauded by the entire WWE roster, the send-off was meant to be a feel-good ending to RAW.

All this changed though when Titus O’Neil attempted to touch the boss, perhaps in a hug, something that Vince was outraged by.

Despite it being barely seen on TV, McMahon was furious the former tag champion would touch him, hitting O’Neil with a 90-day suspension.

After mass outrage from fans, the suspension was cut to 60-days, though this still meant the Florida Superstar was unable to earn money for several weeks.

As if 60-days out of work wasn’t bad enough, Jim Ross later revealed O’Neil was fined US$5,000 for the tiny infraction, adding insult to financial injury.