5 spectacularly botched entrances

Wrestling entrances for quite some time have been over the top, elaborate and larger than life. They have become part of the sports entertainment extravaganza and in some ways are as important to the show as the matches themselves. Given that superstars are required to be entertainers as well as wrestlers, they must hook the crowd from the moment they step onto the stage. However, they can go spectacularly wrong.

The problem with live TV is that any botch will be seen around the world. Titus O'Neil found this out at the Greatest Royal Rumble, as his spectacular fall under the ring during his entrance in the 50-man Royal Rumble, quickly went viral.

Wrestlers know there is a chance they can get hurt in the ring, but they never expect to get to risk injury during their entrance. Sometimes these instances are more embarrassing for the superstar then anything else and given they perform in front of a live audience, there is no chance of a retake if they mess up.

Sometimes these botches are due to technical glitches or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Here are 5 entrances that were spectacularly botched.

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#1 JBL

When John Bradshaw Layfield was doing commentary for WWE, before live shows he would normally come out to his usual longhorn theme and perform his trademark Texas two-step down the entrance way. However, on this occasion, as JBL was performing the dance, a cameraman obstructed the former WWE champion and he took a fall on the entrance way.

JBL was unhurt and playfully hit the cameraman with his cowboy hat afterward, before making his way to the announcers' table to call the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

Layfield is probably the last person you want to cross, however accidental it may have been. It is uncertain why the cameraman was so up close to him in the first place, but I think it's safe to say camera crew probably stopped getting too close to JBL during his jig down the ramp after this incident.

#2 Matt Hardy

Before Matt Hardy was "broken," he was almost broken in half after falling out of the ring in a hilarious entrance botch.

Matt teamed up with Justin Gabriel in the UK during this 2010 episode of Smackdown at the O2 arena in London. During his normal routine, Matt would straddle the ropes and hold up three fingers, but on this occasion, Gabriel stood on the bottom rope simultaneously and Hardy flipped over the ropes to the floor.

Nevertheless, Matt managed somehow to land on his feet, get back in the ring and redo his routine without interruption. Matt clearly saw the funny side, gesturing to Gabriel afterward as he prepared to take on Carlito.

Although a humorous moment, it could have been much worse for Hardy, but thankfully he just fell over the rope rather than being flung over.

#3 Kalisto

Kalisto is known for his spectacular athleticism and high flying in-ring ability. He is one of the most spectacular wrestlers on the WWE roster and his entrances are a reflection of this. His high energy and enthusiasm are reflected in him springboarding off a trampoline on the outside of the ring (although the cameras try to conceal this) to the inside, before doing a front roll. The king of flight's ring entrance always looks impressive, however, on this occasion, it didn't exactly go according to plan.

As Kalisto went to springboard over the top rope, he did not get enough elevation on his leap and ended up straddling the top rope. Thankfully for the high-flyer, he styled it out well and entered the ring in his usual manner.

As with any entrance of this type, the margins for error are quite high. It is fairly possible to risk injury through an awkward landing or, as in this case, landing on the ropes. This was thankfully no worse other than being slightly embarrassing for Kalisto.

#4 Titus O'Neil

It was the moment everyone remembered from the Greatest Royal Rumble ever. During the 50-man Royal Rumble match, as the buzzer went for entrance number 39, Titus O'Neil from Titus Worldwide made his way to the ring. But instead of sliding into the ring, Titus fell at the last moment and slid under the ring.

The moment was replayed a number of times, much to the laughter of Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. It was a memorable moment and thankfully Titus was not hurt, as there is no telling what could have been under the ring.

Vince McMahon is reported to have found the botch hysterical, hence the multiple replays of the incident.

WWE are, of course, milking this as much as possible. Titus has since brought out merchandise with 'rumble, stumble or slide.. Do it worldwide' emblazoned on it. On Raw, members of the Titus brand helped O'Neil to the ring, in order to safeguard against another slip. Titus would eventually fall on the ring frame which helped to distract Baron Corbin, helping No Way Jose to secure the victory.

#5 The Shockmaster

Not a ring entrance, but the Shockmaster's debut on WCW television is remembered for being one of the most hilarious botches in the history of Wrestling.

It was at Clash of Champions XXIV on Ric Flair's interview segment called "Flair for the Gold" when Sting and Davey Boy Smith were confronted by Sid Vicious and Harlem Heat, who demanded to know the identity of their tag team partner. Sting would unveil their fourth man, "all I have to say is, our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than the Shockmaster!" The camera then zoomed in on a wall which was lit up with a small explosion and then a man in a stormtrooper helmet came crashing through. The man fell to the floor, causing his helmet to fall off, he then quickly scrambled to put the helmet back on to conceal his identity.

This moment is memorable for the Shockmaster's entrance as well as Kole and Davey Boy Smith's audible cussing in the background. It was a mess from start to finish and is infamous for all the wrong reasons.