WWE/Twitter: Batista, Michael Cole and the Biggest Twitter Offenders of 2011

In the me-first world of pro wrestling, Twitter is a homestead for public displays of joy, self-promotion, frustration and, of course, slurs.

Social media is basically defined by its ubiquity, and there is no end in sight.  Kayfabe was dead before the onslaught of popular networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, and the rise of these social media tools effectively buried it deeper. 

With the great power of social media networking on the grandest of stages comes great responsibility—responsibility which is unfortunately discarded on routine to the point of unintentional hilarity. 

Some of the biggest names in professional wrestling have abused their rights to tweet on behalf of national wrestling promotions and, for that matter, on behalf of themselves. 

One of the bigger subplots in pro wrestling during the year 2011 is the frequent use and misuse of websites like Twitter and the ensuing consequences.  In the endless pursuit of self-promotion for the independent contractors of pro wrestling, some have become more notorious than others.

Michael Cole

Michael Cole does not tweet as frequent as some of the other members of the list, and with good reason.  As the WWE's everywhere man, Michael Cole's early campaign on Twitter came to a screeching halt when the self-proclaimed voice of the WWE uttered a gay slur in vein while bantering with colleague Josh Mathews.

Cole quickly deleted his ill-advised remark and blurted an apology just as nonchalantly as he had used his aforementioned slur. 

Cole was basically slapped on the wrist for his offense, although he was subject to a training session with activist group GLAAD. 

Michael Cole's Twitter:  @MichaelCole. 

Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy's slow, tragic meltdown could be followed on Twitter, and given Hardy's affinity for his social media network, this almost seemed to be by design. 

With every head-shaking run-in with the law and stint in rehab, Hardy is always prepared to address the situation through his Twitter account with a rather transparent excuse. 

After an apparent suspension by TNA for his indiscretions, Hardy put a strong spin on the situation with this beauty:

"

Between dates, injuries, & outside issues, I'm gonna have a few week off & I'm ecstatic! The Matt Hardy Movement is going into full effect!

"

A failed drug test that led to a DWI charge on Hardy's populated criminal record produced another in a string of deceptive tweets native to the Matt Hardy brand:

"

I took a breathalyzer immediately on the spot and it read clean, zero, nothing. Think about peeps! There's more to this story than meets the eye. MATTHEW.. It's time for me to get back to a healthy, happy place, the transformation his now started for me, for us-(New Chapter Will begin new).

"

Hardy's real life/social media meltdown eventually lead to his firing from TNA and, effectively, the national wrestling scene. 

Matt Hardy's Twitter: @Matthardybrand

Goldust

Goldust's erratic behavior on Twitter has landed him in hot water with WWE officials in the past, and he seems to be heading right down that road once again. 

The second-generation star was temporarily banned from Twitter for publicly blocking fans for little to no discernible reason.

Things seemed to go swimmingly following the former Intercontinental Champion's reinstatement; however, Dust has regressed to his exclusive ways, as he recently posted a puzzling tweet demonstrating religious intolerance, seemingly out of nowhere: 

"

I believe in christ and if u dont i block you so go walk with the devil.

"

With Goldust seemingly foreseeing history repeating itself, and obviously after some harsh words from his wife, he quickly apologized for his actions.  At last word, Goldust's Twitter privileges are still intact.

Goldust's Twitter: @WWEGoldust

Batista

Those who follow Batista do so at their own risk, as a potential side effect is a substantial loss in IQ points.  The man formerly known as "the Animal" shows us why through his use and abuse of the English language as well as his Twitter account.

Batista recently caused a stir on his Twitter account with an unflattering remark regarding Danial Bryan's recent World Heavyweight Title win at WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs:

"

excuse me! did i hear that right? Daniel Bryan World Heavyweight Champ. ummmmmmm…..ok.

"

Criticizing the wrestling Internet wrestling Jesus in the midst of his first coming earned Batista a crusade of angry tweets from fans, which he responded with an inept rant of his own:

"

so to clear up any misunderstanding about me hating on Daniel Bryan…actually i’ve been a supporter of his for years,unlike most of you Johnny come lately smart mark supporters. we actually had a hell of a match together that was originally supposed to be a squash match until this old broken down ex bodybuilder who never deserved to be champion and only had it handed to me because HHH was my boy…refused to job the kid out because i knew how good he was and wanted to have a ******* match with him before i left the company. and a hell of a match we had considering where our respective places in the company were at the time. so yes im aware of all of his accomplishments and hard work through out the years and i’m thrilled to death for him….but still…World Heavyweight champ???ummmmmmm…ok. opinions are like ********. my Twitter account,my opinion. and to all the bitch ass haters who just dogged me out and bitched about how horrible i was…..i’ve worked with HHH, the Undertaker,Rey Mysterio,Randy Orton Stone Cold,Edge,John Cena,Chris Benoit,Ric Fucking Flair!!etc.etc.. and they all respected me and my work. Eddie Guerrero respected my work. so don’t expect your little ******** remarks to actually carry any weight. in your ***** ass faces!!

"

Batista's Twitter (if you dare): @DaveBautista

Chavo Guerrero

Chavo Guerrero left the WWE in a tiff earlier this year, and he took his bitterness with him.  With his sights set on the pro wrestling hype machine's biggest star, John Cena, Guerrero fired off a string of mini-rants attacking Cena's work rate while taking credit for training Cena alongside his late, legendary uncle, Eddie Guerrero. 

Prior to Cena's uber-important showdown against CM Punk at WWE Money in the Bank, Guerrero tweeted a backhanded pep talk to Cena: 

"

Ok, don’t 'Fin' say that people will talk about this for years if you’re going to let Punk do all the work and not deliver at the PPV, Cena. I am tired and I know fans are tired of WWE Superstars talking big and not delivering.

We don’t want to see someone just in a fight. And frankly no one believes it anymore. If Miz can kick your ass then the clerk at the store can kick your ass, so please deliver if you say that.

People will remember this PPV. You know Punk will bring 'it.' I’ve been in the ring with both of you and Punk has 'it.' Cena you have mic skills yes but if you think people believe your BS lazy comeback that you do exactly the same every match then you are mistaken.

Eddie and I taught you different. We never said 'get lazy' and do the damn thing every night. We always said 'think out of the box' and give the fans what they deserve and not rely on the 'machine' to 'get you over.'

"

Guerrero's frustrations were indirectly shown up with an instant classic between Cena and Punk, although he continues to rant against John Cena once every blue moon to this day. 

Brodus Clay

Brodus Clay's Twitter offense seemed to be minor, yet the result cost him his career at the moment.  With his debut being built up on television, Clay had his impending arrival pushed back multiple times.  

On a night that coincided with the departure of John Morrison, Clay tweeted the following potential spoiler:

"

You know it's my debut & I'm not here to joke.You'd better be ready @Therealmorrison ! #SquashMatches.

"

A report by Wrestleheat.com revealed that Clay had tweeted his intentions to destroy Morrison upon making his debut.  The tweet was quickly deleted and Clay was nowhere to be seen on the ensuing RAW, a show that is always subject to last-minute rewrites. 

Clay has not been seen or heard from on television since.

Brodus Clay's Twitter: @BrodusClay

Vickie Guerrero

Vickie Guerrero has no filter on Twitter, often testing her untouchable nature with tweets that virtually pull back the invisible kayfabe curtain of the WWE.

Earlier this year, Guerrero recently dropped a tweet that jeopardized the perception of the last relic of kayfabe in the Undertaker saying:

"

just voted 'The Undertaker and Michelle Mcool' on 'Who is the best real life wwe couple.'

"

Curious Vickie Guerrero tweets were not limited to the Undertaker, but also the WWE's unnamed competition:

"

@KarenJarrett = @ExcuseMeWWE #TNAAwful.

"

A mini-retweeting war later broke out between the two wrestling WAGs before both women returned to their respective corners.

Vickie Guerrero's Twitter: @ExcuseMeWWE

Watch Big Nasty's review of TLC on B/R video, then follow him on Twitter @ThisIsNasty.