5 real-life wrestling love stories that turned into nightmares

With the old adage of “don’t mix business with pleasure” being passed, it isn’t uncommon for wrestlers to date fellow Superstars. When you’re on the road with the same person for over 200 days in a year, it makes sense to get into a relationship with them, instead of going home to someone, whom you’d see not more than twice a week.

Dating a colleague can be a tricky proposition, and the same rule applies to the wrestlers. One needs to tread the line carefully, as any problem in their personal lives would affect their relationship in a professional setting. While we’ve seen several instances where the relationship between Superstars blossomed, we’ve also been privy to few love stories imploding behind the scenes.

Today, we take a look at five real-life wrestling love stories, which turned into nightmares.

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#5 Tiffany and Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre and Tiffany tied the knot in 2010

It is truly difficult to get a second chance in WWE. While we’ve seen redemption stories play out before, Drew McIntyre nearly sabotaged his own career. From being labeled as “The Chosen One”, to being relegated to dark matches, jobbing to the likes of Zack Ryder, Drew’s stock rapidly diminished in the company during his first run.

Back in 2009, McIntyre had the world at his feet. After getting the stamp of approval from the head honcho himself, Drew was on the fast track to the top. It was also at this point that he fell in love with WWE Diva, Tiffany. Both the Superstars got married soon after, and that, for whatever reason coincided with McIntyre’s fall from grace.

The marriage didn’t last long.Tiffany was arrested for domestic assault and was soon given the boot from the promotion. Drew’s career took a major hit as well, with him sliding down the pecking order, eventually being made to job to lower mid-carders on pre-shows and dark matches. Tiffany and Drew decided to part ways in May 2011.

Considering what transpired, McIntyre would be a relieved man to have been handed a second chance by WWE.

#4 Debra and Steve Austin

Debra and Steve Austin began appearing together on - screen until 2002

Debra Marshall made a splash in WWE in ’98, as she aided Jeff Jarrett and later, Owen Hart during their matches. However, Debra soon fell for arguably the biggest name in the history of professional wrestling — and certainly the biggest name in WWE at the time, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The duo got married in 2000, and Debra soon began appearing with Austin during his promos, and in his corner.

Debra left WWE with Steve Austin in 2002, with The Rattlesnake taking exception to WWE’s request, to have his job to Brock Lesnar. At around the same time, Debra called the cops on Austin, alleging that Austin had assaulted her, resulting in the Texas Rattlesnake being slapped with a one-year probation, and 80 hours of community service.

Austin filed for divorce in July 2002, with it being finalised in February 2003.

#3 Chyna and Triple H

Triple H reportedly cheated on Chyna with Stephanie McMahon

Billed as ‘The Ninth Wonder of the World’, Chyna broke the glass ceiling for women in professional wrestling. The terms ‘trailblazer’ and ‘trendsetter’ did not do her justice or encapsulate her contributions to women’s wrestling.

Chyna became the only woman to hold the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and also became the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match, as well as in the King of the Ring tournament.

Being a unique physical specimen, Chyna was introduced as an enforcer for Triple H and Shawn Michaels. It was during this time that she dated her colleague, Triple H, and the pair was inseparable. However, when Triple H was put in a storyline with Stephanie McMahon, with the duo playing the role of an on-screen couple, that was when Chyna’s world started crumbling around her.

Triple H and Stephanie started seeing each other off camera, leading to Chyna and Triple H breaking up. Chyna was released from the company in 2001, which served as a catalyst to her mental breakdown.

While Triple H has since achieved great success in the company, Chyna couldn’t get her life back on track. She sadly passed away in 2016, with a cocktail of drugs found in her system.

#2 Lita and Matt Hardy’s

Team Xtreme was one of the most popular factions in WWE, which comprised of The Hardy Boyz and Lita. Matt and Lita were soon paired on - screen, while in reality, the duo had started dating even before Lita debuted in the company. After the Brand Extension, Matt Hardy was sent to SmackDown while Lita stayed on RAW, and was involved in a storyline with Kane and Trish Stratus.

However, in early 2005, Lita cheated on Matt with Edge, and Matt Hardy decided to make the matter public. WWE released Matt from the promotion, and paired Lita with Edge on - screen. Soon, things turned ugly, with Hardy taking to social media to air his grievances before he was resigned by the company.

Upon his return, Matt got into a feud with Edge and Lita, and the trio has since put their differences behind them. However, for as long as it lasted, it was awkward, with the company using the bad blood between the three Superstars to further their feud on-screen.

#1 Woman and Chris Benoit

Professional wrestling’s darkest day came in June 2007, when it was revealed that Chris Benoit had murdered his son and wife, before committing suicide. The business was once again severely scrutinised, and WWE went through a PR nightmare, trying to curb the snowballing negativity directed towards the company and the industry in general.

Nancy and Chris were paired on-screen as part of a storyline, but the two hit it off, with Nancy divorcing Kevin Sullivan, and subsequently marrying Chris Benoit. Their relationship was far from perfect; Nancy filed for divorce in 2003, and alleged Chris had physically assaulted her. However, the duo managed to work things out, but that was just a precursor to the far more sinister events that followed.

In June 2007, the wrestling world came to a standstill, when it was reported that the Benoit family were found dead in their home. Upon investigating the crime scene and putting the pieces of the puzzle together, it was revealed that Chris had murdered his wife and son, before taking his own life.