5 WWE Superstars who have had public disagreements with the fans

The ring, check. Lighting rig, check. Titantron, check. Pyrotechnics, check. Announcer’s table, check. Superstars, check...but are we good to go? Not quite.

As narcissistic as this may sound, I think we can all agree that there is still no WWE show without the fans.

Unlike in many other sport/sport entertainment industries where fans play a pivotal but peripheral role, it isn’t even a stretch to contend that pro-wrestling is completely centered around them.

If a Superstar is labeled as a babyface, it’s because he generally evokes feelings of sympathy for agonizingly falling short of his goal (Sami Zayn), empathy for championing the cause of a common man (Daniel Bryan) or vicarious satisfaction when you one-up the boss (Stone Cold) – from the fans.

And of course, the heels employ nefarious means so that the babyfaces can get “over” – again, with the fans.

In an industry that so revolves around its fan base, one would then almost expect the performers to be implicitly thankful and fan-friendly, right? Think again.

Some WWE Superstars have made it apparent with their actions over the years, that they hold no such favour towards the people that line their pockets. What’s more – should you read on – you would be pretty convinced that they can sometimes be downright nasty and repellent towards them too.

Here then, are 5 WWE Superstars who’ve somehow managed to convince us that they hate the fans.

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Batista

Batista had one of the most forgettable return acts in contemporary WWE history when he decided to come back in January of 2014, after nearly 4 years away from the industry.

The fans viewed Batista as another one of Triple H’s cronies who’d usurped the spot that they wanted to see Daniel Bryan in, and the fact that the Animal was sloppy, affected by ring-rust and terrible at receiving criticism also compounded the situation.

In an infamous gesture, he once flipped the bird at a crowd that was booing him and his bristly social media interactions with the fans did little to mend their opinion of him too. So much so that despite having returned as a babyface, the WWE were forced to have him align with Triple H’s heel authority faction purely because of the acrimonious relationship between him and the fans.

Oh, and shoving down a fan who was ringside during a live event in Manitoba didn’t exactly help redeem the public perception of him either. Only, in this case, it seemed like the distaste was truly mutual.

Brock Lesnar

PC: MMAnews.com

When Brock Lesnar grabbed the microphone off Paul Heyman, who’s basically paid to alleviate him of oratorical duties so that he can focus solely on being a tour guide to Suplex City, the audience in attendance knew that a poignant moment was afoot.

The Beast doesn’t usually say much, you see. But when he does, it sticks. And the man who was caught in the crosshairs this time was Heath Slater, desperate to earn himself a contract on Raw by taking out the Beast. (What were you thinking, Heath?)

So, when Lesnar looked him square in the eye and told him that doesn’t care two hoots for his kids, it was a moment that elicited a drawn out “ooohh” from the audience. As much for the gravity of the proclamation as for the underlying truth it held.

It comes as surprise that a Superstar who, in equal measure, is glorified for his freakish talents and condemned for his mercenary-like attitude towards the business, wouldn’t feel the need to understand another man’s desire to put food on the table for his children. Especially when you make an absolute killing just working a handful of dates a year by pitting the WWE and UFC against one another.

There is, however, one striking similarity between Brock Lesnar's conduct in both organizations...he couldn't care less for the fans of either.

All Brock Lesnar cares about, is Brock Lesnar.

Scott Steiner

Big Poppa Pump’s loose cannon gimmick in WCW that shot him into prominence, often blurred the boundary between reality and kayfabe...and ironically, is also why fans resonated greatly with his character. His size-belying athleticism in his earlier days didn’t hurt either.

But somewhere along the line, Steiner’s shoot promos started getting too real; fans in attendance were often abused and many times, the insults were too freely forthcoming and way below the belt in nature.

His inability in controlling his temper coupled with his balloon-ey physique often led to rumours that his outbursts were, in fact, an indication of roid rage. That he has been quite willing to physically attack fans at the slightest sign of provocation has done nothing to allay those aspersions either.

Steiner’s potential as a major main event player has been well documented, but unfortunately for him, so has the loathsome attitude that he adopts towards the fans.

CM Punk

Isn’t it a tad ironic how fans of the WWE have made a habit out of baying for CM Punk during shows, when the man himself doesn’t really care for them? The closest Punk has come to addressing them has been when The Rock threw Vinnie Mac’s rulebook out of the window and dialed his number during a dark segment after Raw recently.

And even then, it was his voicemail recording that echoed across the arena, leaving an expectant audience floored in disappointment.

But is it really surprising that CM Punk’s profile in the pro-wrestling industry has been virtually non-existant since he left the WWE? The man often rubbed the company’s brass the wrong way and when it actually boiled down to it, he didn’t exactly embrace the fans either.

While we remember him fondly for being the closest thing to Stone Cold’s second coming as far as standing up to Authority is concerned, fans have often felt the brunt of his holier-than-thou persona on social media too.

And a few unlucky ones, like the unsuspecting soul in the video above, have been on the receiving end of Punk’s ire, face to face. He later apologized for his reaction, but the damage had already been done.

Vince McMahon

Who else could it be at the head of this list?

The eternal villain, the devious instigator and the evil genius behind the WWE, Vince McMahon has been standing on the opposite side of the battlefield to the fans ever since – well – since the fans chose to put him there.

The internet era has heralded in an understanding of the industry that was absent in years past, and with it, an inherent motivation on the part of the fans to try and shape the WWE product to their liking.

And thus began a tug of war between the fans and the WWE supremo that has since seen him being branded public enemy number one. Every time John Cena goes over a mid-carder with the slightest trace of potential, or when Roman Reigns legitimately earns a title shot, we feel like Vince McMahon has sent a personal "F*ck you" card to us all.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as everyone does recognize that he’s the single most important reason why the WWE is the global juggernaut that it is today. But that still doesn’t detract from the fact that Roman Reigns defeated the Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 to effectively end his career, does it?

I’m sorry Vince. We’re sure that you hate us.