WWE History: The 10 Worst Romance Angles of All Time

With the influx of soap writers in WWE in recent years (the latest being Tom Casiello, former scribe for The Young and the Restless), it's no surprise we've seen an increase in cheesy romance angles on Raw, SmackDown and the now defunct ECW.

Unsurprisingly, most of them have been awful and are often detested by young male fans, who find them girlish, badly acted and corny, and would much rather get the focus onto the in-ring action. 

Besides, a pro wrestling show is hardly they place to script and explore a fully believable romantic relationship is it? Certainly, if you want a show that focuses on romance, you're better off watching Desperate Housewives or Mike and Molly, not WWE SmackDown. Come on: who wants dating tips from Vince McMahon?!

With this in mind, here is a list of what we think are the top 10 worst romance angles that have blighted the screen throughout WWE history. Romeo and Juliet, they ain't...

Ted Dibiase and Maryse

When WWE Diva Maryse was paired when Ted DiBiase Jr. in a Raw storyline last year it seemed like a smart move on the writing team's part. Critics had previously noted that the charismatic Maryse's real strength is as a personality and not as a wrestler, and that she should be used as a manager instead of a wrestler.

Meanwhile, the bland, wooden DiBiase is a very good wrestler, but has gaping flaws in the personality department and would greatly benefited from a manager. Indeed, many felt with the villainous gold-digger Maryse on his arm, DiBiase would surely find it easier to get over his obnoxious rich boy gimmick over with the fans and take the next step to WWE main events.

On paper, it seemed like a win-win situation. So what went wrong?

Well, for one thing, there was absolutely no chemistry between the two. Rather than looked besotted with each other, both simply looked bored. Fans weren't that into the relationship either, and Ted was greeted with as much apathy as he always had when he came out on Raw.

They also seemed reluctant to appear as a couple, barely touching or kissing each other during their segments. Some speculated that the awkwardness was due to both being in serious relationships with other people (Ted is married, Maryse has been dating The Miz for several years) and that explained why they seemed so uncomfortable with the storyline.

Whatever the reason, it wasn't working and the Ted/Maryse storyline was moved onto NXT were it quickly fizzled out, when Maryse got fed up of Ted's overbearing behaviour and after weeks of bickering turned on him. Nobody cared then, either.

Mark Henry and Mae Young

Yes, these two might be the least believable couple in wrestling history: the ancient May Young and weightlifter Mark Henry.

Not only was it unbelievable, this 1999 angle was extremely cringe worthy to watch, as poor, unsuspecting viewers were terrorized by candid bedroom shots, with an exhausted, post-coital Henry complaining about how the horny Mae had “worn him out.” Yuck. Worst still, it led to an unspeakably awful pregnancy storyline culminating in Young inexplicably giving birth to a hand.

That was so bad, even Vince McMahon, in a rare display of candour and humility, later admitted in interviews it had been a major mistake. That Mark Henry ever had a main event career 9and recently one the World Title on SmackDown) after this is a minor miracle itself.

Daniel Bryan and Gail Kim

Come on, did anyone buy this? 

These two were paired up as part of some convoluted romance angle with the Bella Twins. In the storyline, the twins had set out to seduce Bryan, only to discover he was in a serious relationship with Gail. Not only did this clunky storyline not go anywhere, but it was pretty clear that both were simply going along with the script and had no enthusiasm for the angle whatsoever (Gail quit the company shortly afterward). Heck, an awkward Bryan seemed as fond of Gail as he is of burgers.

Kelly Kelly and Balls Mahoney

This truly awful storyline in late 2007 involved former bikini model Kelly Kelly becoming infatuated the chubby, unkempt Balls Mahoney, greatly angering her boss, The Miz, and her Extreme Expose co-workers Layla and Brooke in the process and leading to Kelly leaving the group.

Okay, are we really supposed to believe a guy that looks like Mahoney can get a girl like Kelly? Even in wrestling, where viewers are often required to suspend their disbelief, this was a tough one to swallow.

Lita and Kane

A pro wrestling angle that included rape, DNA testing, a miscarriage, two botched weddings, spousal abuse and rampant infidelity on Lita’s part (when she betrayed Kane ran off with Edge)...yes, this cringe-worthy storyline was something else when it played out to WWE audiences in 2004 and 2005.

It did not help that Lita and Matt Hardy (who featured heavily in the angle before going down to a knee injury in late 2004) had truly rotten acting ability and couldn’t even hope to pull off making this angle dramatic or gripping.

Trish Stratus and Vince McMahon

The WWE owner getting it on with the divas on-screen is nothing new. Over the years viewers have got used to old man Vince ogling scantily clad women half his age. But Vince’s 2001 romance storyline with Trish Stratus set new standards for tastelessness.  

Following Linda’s nervous breakdown (in late 2000 Vince had cruelly announced to her on television he was filing for divorce, sending a devastated Linda into a catatonic state) Vince outrageous made out with the gorgeous Trish all the time, even once in from of his sick wife.

Things got even worse when Vince sided with his daughter Stephanie during her feud with Trish, and took to embarrassing and humiliating his new girlfriend. In fact one of the most degrading and offensive WWE angles in history took place in February 2001 when a manic Vince forced a weeping Trish to strip to get down on her knees and bark like a dog for him and the screaming fans in attendance (many of whom were cheering Vince on as he yelled at Trish and ordered her around). This was a segment that had everyone wondering if Vince had truly lost his mind.  

Thankfully, Stratus on turned her boorish sugar daddy during his WrestleMania 17 match with his son Shane by slapping him, getting into a fight with Stephanie and storming off. The angle was dropped soon after.

Perry Saturn and Terri

Let's be honest: Saturn and the mop was easier to believe as a loving couple than these two.

Dawn Marie and Al Wilson

OK, let's explain this: In 2003 Torrie Wilson father, the kindly Al, is established as a character on WWE television. Then after meeting him backstage at an event, the despicable Dawn Marie seduces him and marries the gullible old man, much to Torrie's chagrin.

You see, Dawn Marie is actually romantically interested in Torrie, and using Al to blackmail her into a twisted lesbian relationship. Then, poor Al gets so over-exicted on the wedding night he has a heart attack. An enraged Torrie, blaming her wicked stepmother for his death, attacks Dawn Marie at the funeral and the two have a long-drawn out feud on SmackDown.

Er, far-fetched much? Weirder still, this racy storyline took place on SmackDown, which was at the time considered the tamer and more kid-friendly of WWE's two main shows. 

We're fairly sure the only person who got anything out of this awful angle was old Al (and, yes, he was Torrie's real life dad), who got a whole bunch of raunchy scenes with the busty, gorgeous Dawn Marie. Bet he was bragging about that to all his pals at Bingo.

Joy Giovanni and the Big Show

Diva Search cast-off Joy Giovanni had a brief run in the company in 2005 after her stint on the show, mainly memorable (for all the wrong reasons) for her wacky romance storyline with The Big Show. Oh, yes, Joy couldn't resist the lardy wrestler and the feeling was mutual.

Indeed, as the unlikely relationship between the tiny diva and the giant blossomed, Joy regrettably become a focal point of Show's storyline with Kurt Angle and JBL, with her enraged boyfriend even jumping to defend Joy's honor after Kurt accidentally caught a glimpse of her naked coming out the shower. Yes, this was, for a time, SmackDown's main angle.

Drew McIntyre and Kelly Kelly

In a storyline earlier this year, SmackDown heel Drew became enamoured with Kelly and tried to convince the babyface Kelly that he had changed his evil ways and was now a nice guy, good enough for her to have a relationship with.

To cut a long story short, she didn't buy it and the angle went absolutely nowhere. Which may have been a good thing considering in their their segments together the two demonstrated some truly rotten acting skills (even by wrestling standards). I mean, seriously, these two made Linda McMahon look like an award-winning thespian.

Interestingly, at the time, Drew's wife Tiffany (they're now separated) claimed WWE had created the angle to make her jealous. Needless to say, she wasn't a fan of the storyline. Neither was anyone else.