5 WWE Superstars who broke the fourth wall live on TV

WWE is a drama, and there are certain rules that everyone must obey. On screen, a Superstars needs to be trustworthy, as they very literally hold their opponent's life in their hands.

In fact, the entire company is based on trust, as even backstage, Superstars are expected to conduct themselves in a trusting, orderly manner. But sometimes, tensions will boil over, and a Superstar will go against the script, often resulting in shocking and memorable consequences.

These WWE Superstars may have felt the wrath or an irate boss down the line but weren't afraid to break the fourth wall. Here are five WWE Superstars who took matters into their own hands, and broke the fourth wall live on air.

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#5: Matt Hardy and Edge

Edge has described feuding with Hardy as the most stressful point in his career.

For many years, the relationship of Matt Hardy and Lita was one of the wholesome things in wrestling. Sweethearts for years, the pair were a couple both on and off-screen, after working together in Team Xtreme.

In 2005 though, things took a sour turn, as it was revealed that Lita had cheated on Hardy with another longtime friend of Matt's, Edge.

Being fired from the company during the midst of all this, Hardy took matters into his own actions, jumping the barricade of Monday Night RAW, threatening to kill Edge who he referred to by real name Adam (Copeland).

Hardy would eventually be re-hired by the company and had a lengthy feud with the duo, which saw Edge get the better of the Carolina native.

Coming up short in a 'Loser leaves RAW' match, Hardy moved to SmackDown in late 2005, probably for the best as there was still plenty of tension between the three Superstars.

#4: Joey Styles quits

After quitting WWE, Styles would re-emerge weeks later as a commentator on the new ECW.

Joey Styles may not have wrestled a single match in WWE, but his legacy lives on as one of the company's most popular commentators. Brought in to replace the legendary Jim Ross on RAW, the voice fo ECW called the action alongside Jerry Lawler and the Coach in late 2005-early 2006.

After being replaced by JR at WrestleMania 22, and at the following Backlash, the final straw was when Styles was mocked by the Spirit Squad and the King for lacking 'spirit'.

In a shocking 'shoot' from Styles, the former ECW commentator brought up several real issues fans had with the company, including the tasteless angle which saw Vince McMahon mock God.

'Quitting' the show, Styles would be gone for several weeks before return as part of the re-vamped ECW in July 2006.

#3: Hey Colt Cabana, how you doing?

Punk admitted to breaking the fourth wall during his Pipebomb.

Perhaps the most famous fourth wall breaking in recent history, this one involves one of the company's most controversial stars: CM Punk. After becoming number 1 contender for the WWE Championship, Punk would cut the promo of a lifetime on the June 27, 2011 edition of RAW, to a prone John Cena.

Saying that the company was a parade of "shameless a** kissers" Punk vowed to leave the company in three weeks, as champion.

The most shocking moment of his monologue is when Punk name-dropped New Japan Pro Wrestling, at a time where the word wrestling was banned in WWE, nevermind mentioning another company.

Punk also gave a mention to Ring of Honor, and longtime friend Colt Cabana, who appeared at the Money in the Bank pay per view, and saw his best friend win.

#2: Jarrett lies down

Jarrett laid down at Bash at the Beach 2000, four years after Hogan would form the nWo.

WCW may have a mixed history in the annals of the WWE archive, but in 2000, the company was doing bad.

A series of bad booking, egos, and unnecessary gimmick matches had made even the most loyal of fans realise that unless something changed, this company wasn't going to last.

At Bash at the Beach 2000, WCW World Champion Jeff Jarrett met Hulk Hogan, in what many hoped would be an entertaining match. Instead, under the orders of WCW, Jarrett laid down, and a reluctant Hogan 'pinned' him, before complaining about the state of the company.

Things were made worse when Vince Russo appeared, and after talking in length about the Hulkster's ego, swore to God that Hogan would never again appear in WCW.

Within a year, the company was dead, surprising nobody.

#1: The Montreal Screwjob

The 1997 Montreal Screwjob changed the face of wrestling forever.

Never, has there been a bigger instance of breaking the fourth than the Montreal Screwjob. In case you've been living under a rock for the past 22 years, let me fill you in.

As Bret Hart was approaching the end of his contract, the Hitman's real-life beef with Shawn Michaels made things difficult. As they approached their WWF Title match, Hart did not want to lose the gold to HBK in Canada, and the plan was for Hart to retain, and vacate the gold the next night.

Instead, Vince McMahon ordered referee Earl Hebner to ring the bell when Michaels locked Hart in the Hitman's own sharpshooter. A shocking moment that changed wrestling forever, it will go down in history as the most infamous moment of fourth wall breaking, as Superstars knew to never cross the boss.