5 Weirdest Challenges WWE Superstars Have Taken Part In During Feuds

Perhaps inspired by the dearth of NBA action due to the pandemic (or maybe by the popularity of the Michael Jordan 10-part documentary The Last Dance), WWE decided to stick The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits against each other in a game of hoops on Monday Night Raw. If that wasn't enough, the two duos met once more the following week in an "axe-throwing" contest.

In a sense, it's kinda hard to blame WWE for going to this well of non-wrestling games - it does break up the monotony of lifeless wrestling shows inside of a very sparsely-populated training center. But even before we all had to get used to empty venues for wrestling, WWE has been all too happy to let heated rivals settle the score not in wrestling matches, but in other competitions that may not always be suited to the performers' personal skill sets. You know, for comedy's sake.

Chances are, the entries ahead are bound to conjure up a memory or two. Because WWE sure loves to get silly.

Perhaps inspired by the dearth of NBA action due to the pandemic (or maybe by the popularity of the Michael Jordan 10-part documentary The Last Dance), WWE decided to stick The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits against each other in a game of hoops on Monday Night Raw. If that wasn't enough, the two duos met once more the following week in an "axe-throwing" contest.

In a sense, it's kinda hard to blame WWE for going to this well of non-wrestling games - it does break up the monotony of lifeless wrestling shows inside of a very sparsely-populated training center. But even before we all had to get used to empty venues for wrestling, WWE has been all too happy to let heated rivals settle the score not in wrestling matches, but in other competitions that may not always be suited to the performers' personal skill sets. You know, for comedy's sake.

Chances are, the entries ahead are bound to conjure up a memory or two. Because WWE sure loves to get silly.

5. Eating Contests

It's quite simple: pit two mortal enemies against each other, provide them with a specific type of easily-gorgable food (pizza, pies, long-stale ICOPRO supplements), start the clock, and see who can devour the most snackage in the allotted frame.

What's incredible is the sheer number of times that a heel has won the contest, and then, with their arms raised in a gloating pose, they get puked on by their nauseated rival. The ensuing laughter from the Gorilla position is enough to make the arena shake.

4. Dance Contests

Generally speaking, it's a requirement to have at least one contestant completely lack any semblance of rhythm or coordination. You know how your drunkenest relatives behave at weddings? Imagine that, minus the alcohol or the overall feelgood stupor.

Sometimes they even run dance contests where *neither* entrant has any dance skills whatsoever, such was the case when poor Jim Ross was shoehorned in there with Michael Cole, and the two took turns paying homage to Mean Gene's "performance" with the Gobbledy Gooker.

3. Rap Battles

Pro wrestling is predicated on physical conflict, and while slinging hurtful rhymes at the other person doesn't constitute violence, such wordsmithery sure can *spur* violence. All it requires is hitting the right nerve with a bit of creative spite.

Clearly, The Usos vs. The New Day is the best example of this, followed by, uh, I guess JR and Cole around 2011? Okay, maybe not. You can also tack on "battles of the bands" with this entry, much like the one we almost got between John Cena and Chris Jericho and 2005.

2. Arm Wrestling

Really, it's not the same without some precocious brat yelling, "Over the top, dad!", but arm wrestling has been a minor staple of the biz for generations now. WCW actually ran an arm wrestling tournament (no, really), but mostly, it's just a simple plot device.

Scott Steiner and Triple H incorporated arm wrestling in their regrettable 2003 feud, as did Vince McMahon and Hul--er, Mr. America. Oftentimes, the heel jumps the babyface just before his hand hits the podium, making the contest as fruitless as, say, contract signings.

1. A Redneck Triathalon

In 2003 (which appears to be the spiritual home of wacky games in lieu of actual wrestling), Stone Cold Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff engaged in a medley of time-wasters at the Bad Blood pay-per-view. Since Austin could no longer wrestle, this was the next best(?) thing.

It began with a badly dubbed belching contest, followed by a pie-eating contest (the mere visual of which is equivalent to watching that video in The Ring). This was followed by a singing contest, which was changed to a "pigpen" contest that Austin won. Damn bait and switch.