5 times WWE stars were forced to fight for real

WWE Superstars are well-known for their in-ring wrestling matches. While these matchups are scripted, there are times when the competitors need to throw down for real.

Many wrestlers have legitimate fighting backgrounds and know how to handle themselves in physical combat. They are often challenged to fights by members of the public wanting to test the toughness of these 'fake' fighters.

From professional MMA bouts and boxing matches to wild bar brawls, check out the 5 times WWE superstars were forced to fight for real.

List of real fights involving WWE superstars

#5 Bart Gunn vs Butterbean (Brawl for All)

Bart Gunn competing in the Brawl for All

The infamous 'Brawl for All' tournament was created in 1998 by Raw Head Writer Vince Russo. The idea was to find out who was the toughest guy in WWE by having real fights live on Monday Night Raw.

16 WWE superstars took part, including Bradshaw, The Godfather, Marc Mero, Steve Blackman, Bob Holly, Savio Vega and Dan Severn. Unfortunately, these real fights ended up injuring many of the contestants. One of the favorites to win, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, was upset by Bart Gunn in the second round. He tore his hamstring and was knocked out in the fight which led to him being off TV for several months.

The Brawl for All was eventually won by Bart Gunn (formerly of the Smoking Guns tag team) who knocked out Bradshaw in the final on Raw in August 1998.

Gunn received $75,000 in prize money and was then matched against the famous professional boxer, Butterbean, at Wrestlemania 15. In what turned out to be a mismatch, Gunn was knocked out in just 35 seconds and fired by the WWE not long after.

Some have said that the Butterbean fight was a punishment for Gunn winning the Brawl for All and ruining Vince McMahon’s future matchmaking plans.

#4 Batista vs Vince Lucero (MMA Fight)

Batista celebrating another victory in the WWE

Before Dave Batista became a Hollywood movie star, he followed in the footsteps of WWE superstars Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley into the world of MMA.

"The Animal" had always wanted to test himself in the cage after training for MMA for many years.

Unlike CM Punk, Batista didn’t sign with a major MMA promotion like UFC. He instead took a fight on a CES MMA show in Rhode Island, where he was matched up against MMA journeyman Vince Lucero.

The fight started with the chubby Lucero charging at the WWE superstar throwing big right hands that had Batista rocked against the cage. Batista was able to weather the storm as the out-of-shape Lucero tired. He was then able to take down Lucero in the middle of the cage. Once he had his opponent down, Batista reigned down big punches from the top and the fight was stopped with one minute left in the first round.

Credit to the 43-year-old Batista for stepping into the cage, fighting and winning. But it was yet another example of how different the world of MMA is compared to WWE.

#3 Haku vs 5 (unfortunate) guys

Haku was feared inside and outside of the ring

Tonga Fifita, aka the "Haku/King Haku" in WWE or "Meng" in WCW, was known as one of the toughest professional wrestlers both inside and outside of the ring.

Many WWE superstars have told stories about the big Tongan Haku destroying people both backstage and in bar fights. One of the most famous fights occurred at a hotel bar at the Baltimore Airport in March 1989.

Haku and some fellow wrestlers were drinking at the hotel bar when a group of five guys started to throw insults in their direction. One of the guys approached Haku and started asking him if he was “one of those fake wrestlers?”. Like many WWE superstars, Haku does not appreciate it when people describe professional wrestling as ‘fake’.

As the story goes Haku bit the guy's nose (nearly off), knocked him out then proceeded to beat up his four friends while the rest of the bar looked on. This explains why WWE Hall of Farmer Bobby Heenan referred to Haku as the toughest man he had ever seen.

#2 British Bulldog vs Bar patron (Calgary Bar)

The British Bulldog was famous for his strength

‘The British Bulldog’ Davey Boy Smith was one of the biggest stars in WWE throughout the 1980s and ’90s. He was a former WWE Tag Team, Intercontinental, and European Champion.

Smith was famous for his immense strength and ability to deliver power moves in the ring. On July 25th, 1993 the WWE superstar found himself using his power in a real-life fight.

Davey Boy and his wife Diana Hart (sister to WWE stars Bret and Owen) were in a Calgary bar when a patron approached Diana asking her to dance. After she refused, Davey asked the man to walk away. The man refused and a fight broke out.

The patron accused Smith of assault and he was fired from WCW. Davey Boy was forced to testify in court that wrestling was indeed ‘fake’ and he said he was simply defending himself and his wife.

The judge agreed with his side of the story, and "The British Bulldog" was found innocent and released.

#1 Sid vs Arn Anderson (Blackburn Hotel Room)

Sid has had some infamous altercations outside of the ring

One of the most infamous fights involving WWE superstars was between ‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson and ‘Pyscho’ Sid. It happened on October 27th, 1993 at a Blackburn Hotel in England. WCW was on a European tour and a few of the wrestlers were enjoying some drinks in the hotel bar.

Apparently, Anderson overheard Sid insulting his longtime friend Ric Flair and the two exchanged some heated words. After returning to his hotel room Sid decided he wanted to settle the argument with Arn.

A brutal brawl between WWE superstars

He banged on Anderson’s hotel room door armed with a chair leg in hand. Arn opened the door armed with a pair of scissors and the two brawled in the hotel hallway. This brutal fight resulted in some serious injuries for the pair.

Anderson suffered twenty-four stab wounds to his chest and abdomen while Sid was stabbed four times. They both ended up in the hospital and were sent back to the United States the next day. Sid was fired from WCW after many wrestlers complained about his behavior.