10 WWE Wrestlers Who Were Legitimately Bullied Backstage
The Mountie
10. Chad Wicks & Tank Toland (The Dicks)
The tag team known as The Dicks endured some of the harshest backstage hazing WWE has ever seen. Veterans—most notably JBL—subjected Chad Wicks and Tank Toland to relentless humiliation, including forced binge drinking and having their ring gear deliberately sliced apart. Wicks was even dragged into wrestler’s court after being accused of being gay for taking Chip ’n Dale dance classes, despite that being part of their on-screen gimmick. The situation escalated when veterans forced the two to physically fight each other while money was wagered on the outcome. Wicks struck first with two cheap shots, but Toland responded with brutal punches that knocked Wicks unconscious, breaking his nose and driving his teeth through his lip. WWE released both men shortly afterward, citing the fight.
9. Palmer Cannon
Palmer Cannon entered WWE around the same period and faced similarly vicious treatment. He later revealed that JBL and Chris Benoit were central figures in the six months of nonstop torment he endured. The harassment became so overwhelming during a European tour that Cannon quit on the spot and paid his own way back home. Mike Bucci later described what Cannon went through as “too horrendous for words.” Although some roster members supported him, the damage was already done. Years later, JBL publicly admitted on a podcast that he was “responsible” for Cannon leaving WWE, blaming alcohol and what he described as an outdated locker room mentality.
8. Chris Masters
During his first Tribute to the Troops tour in 2005, Chris Masters found himself paired with JBL, an experience he later described as constant torture. As a young and inexperienced performer, Masters said he felt like he was walking on eggshells, afraid that any misstep would make things worse. He explained that veterans such as JBL and Bob Holly deliberately tried to emotionally break younger talent to see if they were tough enough to survive. A year or two later, Masters finally pushed back when JBL attempted to mess with him again. That confrontation ended the bullying permanently, as Masters made it clear he would no longer tolerate it.
7. Matt Striker
Matt Striker drew immediate backstage resentment after comparing a move from Raw to SmackDown as “going from college to high school.” While Chris Benoit privately showed him respect and guidance, JBL took the comment personally and made Striker’s life miserable. Striker recalled being yelled at, harassed weekly, and constantly demeaned. The breaking point came during a European tour when an intoxicated JBL publicly confronted him and demanded that he admit he was “a piece of shit.” Striker refused to back down, holding his ground until JBL finally walked away. The following day, The Undertaker praised Striker’s composure, and the harassment stopped completely.
6. The Miz
The Miz’s background as a reality-TV star immediately put him on the wrong side of the locker room hierarchy. JBL openly mocked him on commentary and went as far as saying he hoped Miz would be gone soon. Matters worsened when Chris Benoit kicked Miz out of the locker room for eating chicken over referee Scott Armstrong’s bag. The punishment lasted six months, forcing Miz to change in public restrooms. His exile ended only after he impressed The Undertaker during a SmackDown match, earning the veteran’s approval and permission to return to the locker room.
5. Justin Roberts
As a young ring announcer, Justin Roberts became an easy target. He later described enduring constant abuse from JBL and Chris Benoit, noting that non-wrestlers had little protection in the locker room. Simon Dean recalled an incident where Roberts was nearly forced out of his hotel room. During a 2005 European tour, Roberts’ passport was stolen, preventing him from boarding a flight; he has long believed JBL was involved. Upon returning to the U.S., Vince McMahon made a dismissive comment about the situation, suggesting management knew but chose not to intervene. In his book, Roberts detailed being reduced to tears after JBL insulted him, threw his belongings, and kicked him off the talent bus. JBL even reignited the hostility publicly on Twitter in 2017. According to multiple accounts, the locker room atmosphere only improved after JBL left WWE in 2009.
4. Joey Styles
A defining turning point in JBL’s backstage reputation occurred during a 2008 Iraq tour. JBL repeatedly harassed Joey Styles throughout the trip, including dumping a drink on him. On the flight home, a drunk JBL grabbed Styles physically, pushing the situation past words. Chad Gaspard later revealed that Styles responded by double-legging JBL from behind and knocking him out cold. Several wrestlers noted that after being laid out by Styles, JBL’s demeanor changed drastically, becoming quieter, more respectful, and far less aggressive.
3. Howard Finkel
Howard Finkel, despite being one of WWE’s most beloved figures, was frequently ridiculed because he wasn’t a wrestler. Lance Storm recounted a humiliating incident where Finkel was sent to wrestler’s court for flinching when a woman slapped him, an ordeal that ended with him in tears. Storm admitted he felt guilty for not defending Finkel but explained that speaking up—especially as a WCW outsider and non-drinker—could have jeopardized his own career.
2. Stevie Richards
When The Godfather was forced to abandon his wildly popular gimmick to join Right to Censor, the frustration boiled over backstage. Stevie Richards, the group’s leader, became the target. Godfather later admitted he was in a bad mental space and unfairly blamed Richards. During a taped segment, he openly warned Richards about what would happen if he crossed a line. Richards described the heat as cold, quiet, and deeply uncomfortable. While the tension hurt, Richards said he eventually understood the circumstances behind it, even though the situation made him hesitant to speak up.
1. Jacques Rougeau
The most brutal story involves Dynamite Kid, infamous for extreme hazing tactics, including defecating in coworkers’ luggage. Jacques Rougeau or more notably known as The Mountie became a frequent target and was not viewed as someone who could fight back. When Rougeau decided to report the abuse to Vince McMahon, Dynamite ambushed him backstage, knocking him off a chair and beating him with punches and kicks. Realizing he had to defend himself to survive, Rougeau retaliated by knocking Dynamite unconscious using a fistful of quarters. The power dynamic immediately shifted: the bully was now broken both physically and emotionally. Rougeau further ensured his safety by spreading rumors about mafia ties in his family, leading to Dynamite Kid quitting WWE and selling his house shortly afterward.
