5 WWE Superstars who benefitted from another wrestler's backstage issues

In the WWE, there has never been any shortage of issues backstage.

In the 80s and early 90s, it was the flagrant use of steroids, that nearly saw chairman Vince McMahon end up in jail.

Whilst in the mid-90s, it was egos that run rampant, as top stars became desparate to keep themselves on top of the food chain, often at the expense of other stars.

And though nowadays, the company seems to be much more respectful, there are still issues happening backstage.

Some of these issues have been so big, that it has forced the WWE to change some of their plans, as months of preparation and storytelling goes up in smoke.

Here are five WWE Superstars whose career's soared from another wrestler's issues backstage.

---

#5: Ziggler cashes in on Swagger's arrest

Ziggler won the World Heavyweight Championship from Alberto Del Rio the night after WrestleMania 29.

When Jack Swagger returned to WWE after months away in early 2013, things were very different.

Once a jobber, Swagger came back with a mean streak and an ultra-conservative, tea party character that put him at odds with the face World Champion Alberto Del Rio.

Meeting at WrestleMania 29, it seemed Swagger was going to reclaim the title he briefly held in 2010, until an arrest for possession of drugs through everything into disarray.

Instead of winning, Swagger was handily defeated by Del Rio, and didn't even get an entrance at the show of shows.

With the company still wanting to end the Mexican Aristocrat's reign, the decision was made to have Dolph Ziggler cash in the next night on RAW, in one of the most shocking title changes in recent Monday Night RAW history because of Swagger's arrest.

#4: Jinder hinders himself

After a shocking title reign, Mahal lost the WWE Championship to AJ Styles.

In one of the most unpredictable title changes of all time, Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to capture the WWE Championship at Backlash 2017.

Not only was this switch shocking as it the Viper had won the gold weeks ago at WrestleMania, but no-one expected the former jobber, who had been released three years ago, to win.

However, the reign, in many fans eyes' fell flat, as the WWE Universe simply weren't interested in seeing the former 3MB star as champion.

As plans circulated on what the company would do next, Mahal essentially ended his own reign, after making comments on the English skills of Shinsuke Nakamura, playing off Japanese stereotypes.

Seen by many as offensive, Mahal quickly lost the title to AJ Styles in November, who would hold the title for over a year.

#3: Summer Rae dances over her competition

Fandango would work with Summer Rae instead of Eva Marie.

There have been villains in the annals of WWE history, but none have ever quite been so universally loathed in recent years than Eva Marie.

Seen by many as a model just using wrestling to elevate her star, Marie joined WWE in early 2013, as a member of Total Divas.

In an early episode, Marie claimed to have a dancing background, and the WWE thought she'd make an excellent partner for the debuting Fandango.

When it came to the tryout though, the truth came out, that Eva had lied about her dancing ability, annoying everyone involved, especially the former Johnny Curtis, who spent time out of preparing for his debut against Chris Jericho to rehearse.

Clearly infuriated by her lies, the WWE did not pick Marie, and the role instead went to the much more talented Summer Rae.

#2: The Bad Guy does good for himself

Michaels and Ramon battled in the first Ladder match in WrestleMania history.

Though 2019 Shawn Michaels may be a kind, God-fearing soul; in the 1990s, by Shawn's own admission, he was a complete wreck.

Despite putting on phenomenal matches in 1993, and riding high as Intercontinental Champion, Michaels' backstage issues led him down a bad road.

After being suspended for drug abuse (though Michaels claimed he was just partying), HBK was stripped of the title live on TV, with Jack Tunney claiming it was because he had skipped too many title defenses.

A tournament was set up to crown a new champion, which culminated in the Bad Guy Razor Ramon winning the coveted title.

Meeting at WrestleMania X, the two would square off in the first Ladder match in Mania history, which saw Ramon capture both belts, as the Undisputed Intercontinental Champion.

#1: Austin 3:16 says it's your own fault!

After the MSG Incident, Triple H was replaced as the 1996 winner with Stone Cold Steve Austin.

In 1996, a young Triple H was making a name for himself.

Already a former Intercontinental Champion, Helmsley was impressing everyone with his work ethic and skills, and was set to receive a big push as the winner of the 1996 King of the Ring.

Then, the MSG Incident happened.

After finding out his Kliq buddies Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were leaving, the future COO hugged his friends goodbye in the world's most famous arena, alongside Shawn Michaels.

Shattering kayfabe, a punishment had to be dealt, and with the Showstopper untouchable as WWF Champion, and Hall and Nash gone, the blame fell on the Game.

Instead of winning the tournament (which he'd win a year later), Steve Austin became King, and delivered his infamous Austin 3:16 promo, changing wrestling forever.