In 2024, the backstage environment in WWE has transformed compared to just a few years ago, most with the elimination of “Wrestler’s Court.” Given the wrestling industry’s abundance of eccentric characters, there was a need for a system to maintain order in the locker room.
Wrestler’s Court was established to address backstage antics, but many viewed it as more of a means to mock individuals than to enforce discipline. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry clarified on the “Huge Pop” podcast that a common misconception about Wrestler’s Court is that it functioned as a bullying mechanism.
“It’s not about bullying; it’s designed to entertain,” Henry explained. “Those who felt genuinely bullied while participating in Wrestler’s Court could have simply purchased a bottle of Jack Daniels. The number one rule was that the judge could always be bought. For around 23 to 25 bucks, you could easily influence the proceedings just by placing a bottle on the counter.”
Numerous well-known WWE figures, including Matt Hardy, The Miz, and former writer Brian Gewirtz, faced charges in Wrestler’s Court and now reflect on those experiences with humor. Nevertheless, not everyone appreciated the practice, with CM Punk famously labeling it “the most insecure small dk energy average white man embarrassment to the wrestling business st of all time.”