Wrestling is still a bloody sportPro wrestling is as much about story telling as it is about the moves executed in the ring. How else can the fans invest in a crowd if there isnt some deep rooted emotion attached to it??One thing, if used right, that guarantees the involvement of the fans in a segment/ match is seeing a wrestler getting busted open.It is the worst kept secret in wrestling that the blood that we see in the ring is due to the wrestler consciously blading himself, ie, using a sharp blade to produce a cut on the forehead.That phenomenal Bret Hart vs Stone Cold match and the double turn that ensued had a lot to do with the image of the Rattlesnake fighting valiantly in the Sharpshooter with blood pouring down his forehead.WWE outlawed blading a few years back to better cater to the viewing public hence we see less of blood in the matches now.But blading has always remained a tactful practice, with the wrestlers taking care not to let the public see them blading themselves. The blade is usually hidden inside the gloves, given by the referee or even hidden within the gums.We look at a list of blading incidents where wrestlers failed to blade discreetly and the evidence was left for everyone to see.
#1 Roman Reigns Caught bleeding on Raw
This week’s RAW started on an explosive note, with the prodigal son, Shane McMahon returning. And that wasn’t a lucky punch at all; Creative gave us a one-two when Shane-O revealed his agenda: he wanted control of RAW. So father dearest said ok son, it’s yours. If you can beat the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania.
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So the fans, suitably reimbursed for the average-at-best show that was Fastlane, rode the high through the rest of RAW that did alright in keeping us hooked with some good segments like Dean Ambrose-Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles-Chris Jericho.
The main event was a big let-down, with the WWE’s public enemy number one, Roman Reigns, taking on Sheamus. Until WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H turned up and gave the Samoan Superman an appetiser to what’s under the cloche at WrestleMania.
The segment got huge pops. which is an indicator of public sentiment towards the number one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. They cranked up the volume particularly when Roman Reigns was (cough, blood pill, cough) busted open. Don’t believe us? Take a look. At least the Big Dog was spared the blade. Wait, is that a good thing?
All credit to Jamez Wood, who recorded the video as he as in attendance at the event. Keep your eyes peeled at the 0:22 second mark, when Byron Saxton slips Reigns what is most probably a blood pill.
#2 Chris Jericho at No Way Out 2008
Another Elimination Chamber match and another blatant mistake. Chris Jericho had just eliminated JBL from the match with a Codebreaker and was waiting for the rest of the plan to unfold.
The script had JBL return to the ring and whack Y2J over the head with a steel chair which would see Jericho getting busted open – with the help of some discreet blading, of course.
Jericho did his part, though – but the WWE camera perfectly catches the referee handing a blade over to Jericho.Two seconds later, JBL gives Y2J the chair shot, Jericho falls to the mat and covers his head and blood starts pouring!!
#3 Ric Flair vs Randy Savage WrestleMania 8
Ric Flair always brought together great matches – not necessarily because of technical ability, but because of his gift at telling a story. ‘The Naitch’ used blading as an effective tool in his matches to elicit crowd reaction.
At WrestleMania 8, Flair met Randy Savage and for once Ric’s mastery at discreet blading fell flat. The match camera basically captures Flair on both knees and swiping across his forehead – seconds later and voila!! – The Nature Boy is busted open…. Hmmm!!!
#4 Randy Orton New Years Revolution
The stage was the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship in 2005 and two former Evolution members managed to screw up the spot.
Triple H was supposed to slingshot Orton in to the Chamber and Orton would hit head first and then immediately blade to accentuate the impact of the move. But Orton and Triple H decided that the Legend Killer would blade first just before taking the slingshot.
However, Orton had trouble getting the blade from his wrist and Triple H had to awkwardly delay the move so that the third generation superstar could do the blading first.
The spot is not at all saved by the blatantly obvious attempts by J.R and the King on commentary to explain the delay for HHH’s move either.
#5 CM Punk vs Jerry Lawler Raw
The steel cage match between CM Punk and Jerry Lawler during the latter stages of Punk’s record breaking WWE title run figures in this list not only because the blading was obvious, but also because it happened long after the WWE had banned blading.
The match would see Punk emerge victorious, but not before getting a self-inflicted gash on the head. The moment was caught on camera – in addition to the footage of Punk giving the blade to referee Charles Robinson after the deed was done.
#6 The Rock at WrestleMania 17 : Double botch
WrestleMania 17 would see a Stone Cold heel turn occurring in its main event. The WWE realized that the way to project Austin as a despicable heel was to ensure that the baby face WWE Champion The Rock got decimated with a crimson mask.
There were a couple of spots in the match where the Rock blatantly used a razor to cut himself. The first occurred just after Austin cracked the Rock’s skull with the ring bell – but not before the WWE Universe was treated to footage of the referee placing a razor in the Rock’s hand.
The soon-to-be Hollywood star must have felt that he didn’t blade properly the first time and he cut himself again a few minutes later, just before a T.V monitor shot by Austin gave him a reason to show his bleeding face