History Main / ScrewTheRulesTheyBrokeThemFirst

* In ''Film/StarTrek2009'', when Kirk gets accused of cheating on [[UnwinnableTrainingSimulation the Kobayashi Maru Test]], reprogramming the simulation so that he could win, he argues that "[[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard The test itself is a cheat]]" since it makes highly improbable no-win situations, so it was reasonable for him to cheat his way into a winnable situation. Spock however counters that this proves that Kirk didn't just cheat, but failed to understand the point of the test in the first place. No-win scenarios ''do'' exist, and the point of the test is to judge how you will react in such situations.

* {{Discussed}} in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''. In a minor departure from the book, King Théoden of Rohan questions why he should answer Gondor's call if their ally activates the alliance, since Rohan received no aid from Gondor when they were under attack by Saruman in the previous film. However, when GondorCallsForAid later, Théoden honors it.

* ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'': The fight between [[Franchise/StreetFighter Balrog]] and [[VideoGame/KillerInstinct TJ Combo]] starts off as a championship boxing match, but given this is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Death Battle]], somebody was going to break the rules and go for the killer blow. [[spoiler:Balrog is the one who breaks them first, with a grab, headbutt, stomp, and sucker-punch, followed by incapacitating or possibly ''murdering'' the referee who tries to disqualify him for it; TJ proceeds to use suplexes and kicks in the ensuing fight, ending with him taking victory over Balrog by [[OffWithHisHead decapitation]].]]

[[folder: Theater]]

** Also played straight in the sequel, ''Film/SpaceJamANewBeginning'': [[BigBad Al-G]] keeps adding to the rules of the basketball game [[ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem (which he set up)]] as it goes along to try to bend the odds in the Goon Squad's favor. When the Goon Squad starts to falter and Dom abandons him, [[VillainousBreakdown Al-G decides to directly sabotage the Tune Squad]] by taking away their points and breaking past UsefulNotes/LeBronJames, Dom's father. In response, Dom learns that the only way to beat Al-G is for [=LeBron=] to glitch out, as he had done in Dom's video game earlier, but at the cost of being erased. [=LeBron=] agrees to take the risk, but WesternAnimation/BugsBunny steps in to [[HeroicSacrifice do the move himself]]. As [=LeBron=] is about to score the winning point, Al-G tries to physically stop [=LeBron=], only for Dom to toss his father a jump pad so he can score. Al-G helplessly screams, [[{{Hypocrite}} "THAT'S CHEATING!"]], conveniently ignoring the fact that ''he'' cheated first.

* On the first possession of the Ultimate Game in ''Film/SpaceJam'', WesternAnimation/BugsBunny starts dribbling the ball upcourt until Pound smacks him hard enough to send the rabbit skidding the width of the court. No foul is called, and UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan gives a "woof" at just how rough the game is going to be. The Monstars continue to play nasty while the Tunesquad plays nice, until the second half. Then the Franchise/LooneyTunes bring in explosives, firearms, livestock and WesternAnimation/PepeLePew's [[SmellySkunk horrendous stench]], all of which begins to even the score. No foul of any kind is called, ever.

* In ''FanWorks/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality'', some curses are easier to cast "when they bind yourself and others alike", such that if one party breaks it the other party ceases to be bound by it.

* On the first possession of the Ultimate Game in ''Film/SpaceJam'', WesternAnimation/BugsBunny starts dribbling the ball upcourt until Pound smacks him hard enough to send the rabbit skidding the width of the court. No foul is called, and UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan gives a "woof" at just how rough the game is going to be. The Monstars continue to play nasty while the Tunesquad plays nice, until the second half. Then the Franchise/LooneyTunes bring in explosives and firearms and livestock, which begins to even the score. No foul of any kind is called, ever.

* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Realizing that the Wolfbats are cheating in Pro-Bending finals and bribed the referee into ignoring it, Korra suggests her team do the same, but Mako shuts the idea down, saying the Wolfbats bribed the ref to turn a blind eye to ''them'' cheating, [[DoubleStandard but any rule-breaking done by the Fire Ferrets will result in them being disqualified]]. Though the Wolfbats do wind up winning handily thanks to their cheating, [[LaserGuidedKarma karma soon strikes them hard when Amon and the Equalists attack the stadium and remove their bending powers, ensuring that this ill-gained victory will be their last]].

* Defied in one ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHologramsIDW'' comic. After [[LoonyFan Clash]] tried to ''kill'' Jem at one of her concerts (only for Aja to push her out of the way and get mildly injured herself), Kimber recognized her as the culprit and engaged in a food fight between her group and the Misfits. Unfortunately, the judges of the Battle of the Bands were disgusted by their unprofessionalism and disqualified them, a move that angered ''both'' bands.[[note]]as the Misfits were angry that they were unable to compete against their main rivals[[/note]] As the Holograms decried the decision, citing how one of the Misits' fans tried to kill them, the judges were still within their rights to do so since [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome not only were the Misfits sponsoring the contest themselves and the Holograms were tied to the rules/clauses of the contest, but technically speaking, the women had no actual proof that Clash was responsible.]]

* ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'': In Ash's Indigo Conference match with Joshua Martin, he reflexively punches out Joshua's Fearow when it flies too close to him for comfort. Joshua insists that what he did broke the rules against trainers directly interfering in the battle. The Ref disagrees with his judgment, saying that even if what Ash did was against the rules, it was still a justified response since Joshua had obviously instructed his Fearow to get too close to the opposing trainer with the intent of keeping them from concentrating on the battle, which is considered cheating. As a result, [[LaserGuidedKarma Joshua is disqualified and forced to vacate the event's premises within 24 hours]].

-->''"Funny thing aboot tha law...Nothin' left ta bind ye means nothin' left ta hide behind."''
--->-- '''Sigdi Thundershield''', ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''

* When al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a CIA drone strike in Kabul, the Taliban protested that the killing was a violation of the Doha Agreement they negotiated with America. A White House spokesperson responded by pointing out that the Taliban had promised to stop harboring terrorists as part of the deal, so they had no justification to claim the moral high ground.

* When al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a CIA drone strike in Kabul, the Taliban protested that the killing was a violation of the Doha Agreement they negotiated with America]. A White House spokesperson responded by pointing out that the Taliban had promised to stop harboring terrorists as part of the deal, so they had no justification to claim the moral high ground.

* When al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a CIA drone strike in Kabul, the Taliban protested that the killing was a violation of the Doha Agreement they negotiated with America[[note]]In 2021 U.S. troops left Afghanistan. The Taliban overran the U.S.-backed government ''within hours'' and are now back in control of the country, rendering the ''entire 20 year long War in Afghanistan completely pointless'' (remember that Osama Bin Laden wasn't even '''in''' Afghanistan)[[/note]]. A White House spokesperson responded by pointing out that the Taliban had promised to stop harboring terrorists as part of the deal, so they had no justification to claim the moral high ground.

* When al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a CIA drone strike in Kabul, the Taliban protested that the killing was a violation of the Doha Agreement they negotiated with America. A White House spokesperson responded by pointing out that the Taliban had promised to stop harboring terrorists as part of the deal, so they had no justification to claim the moral high ground.

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10895506/15/Thunder-in-Kanto Thunder in Kanto]]'' Napalm's reaction to beign banned from Celadon Gym - something that is condsidered violation of rules for gym leader? He beats the crap out of Celadon Gym staff, forces his way in and takes Rainbow Badge from frightened Erika. There was not even Pokemon battle, but there sure was a one-sided fight.

* On the first possession of the Ultimate Game in ''Film/SpaceJam'', WesternAnimation/BugsBunny starts dribbling the ball upcourt until Pound smacks him hard enough to send the rabbit skidding the width of the court. No foul is called, and Michael Jordan gives a "woof" at just how rough the game is going to be. The Monstars continue to play nasty while the Tunesquad plays nice, until the second half. Then the Franchise/LooneyTunes bring in explosives and firearms and livestock, which begins to even the score. No foul of any kind is called, ever.

* ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'': The fight between [[Franchise/StreetFighter Balrog]] and [[VideoGame/KillerInstinct TJ Combo]] starts off as a championship boxing match, but given this is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Death Battle]], somebody was going to break the rules and go for the killer blow. [[spoiler:Balrog is the one who breaks them first, with a grab, headbutt, stomp, and sucker-punch, followed by incapacitating or possibly ''murdering'' the referee who tries to disqualify him for it; TJ proceeds to use suplexes and kicks in the ensuing fight, and proceeding to take victory by [[OffWithHisHead decapitation]].]]

* A fairly common joke in ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' cartoons is for the KarmicTrickster to answer a cheater by cheating ''better.'' One example is a cartoon where Bugs play blackjack with Black Jacques Shellaque. Black Jacques draws a 10 of Spades, and pulls a second 10 of Spades out of his sleeve. [[FiveAcesCheater Bugs beats him with a 21 of Hearts.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' ep, "Jack vs Aku". The two decide to settle things through a simple hand-to-hand combat, with Aku claiming he won't use his powers while Jack can't use his sword. It starts out even at first, but not surprisingly, Aku starts going back on his word during the match and eventually it's revealed it was all a ploy to get Jack's sword. But Jack pulls an IKnowYouKnowIKnow on him by planting fake swords around the area. Eventually Jack retrieves his real sword, fights him as usual and Aku flees with things [[StatusQuoIsGod pretty much back to normal]].
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' had Megatron propose that the Autobot/Decepticon feud be settled by a one-on-one duel between him and Optimus Prime... after he had augmented his own weapons systems with parts taken from other Decepticons in violation of Cybertronian duelling law. He wins, but once the Autobots realize that Megatron had cheated by analyzing Optimus' wounds, they conclude that since the Decepticons cheated, the Autobots are not bound to honor the terms of the duel and admit defeat. They then drive the Decepticons off in the rematch.

* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Realizing that the Wolfbats are cheating in Pro-Bending finals and bribed the referee to ignoring it, Korra suggests her team do the same, but Mako shuts the idea down, saying the Wolfbats bribed the ref to turn a blind eye to ''them'' cheating, [[DoubleStandard but any rule-breaking done by the Fire Ferrets will result in them being disqualified]]. Though the Wolfbats do wind up winning handily thanks to their cheating, karma soon strikes them hard when Amon and the Equalists attack the stadium and remove their bending powers, ensuring that this ill-gained victory will be their last.

* In ''WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic's'' scathing review of ''Film/PatchAdams'' he balks when Patch's LoveInterest is murdered, realizing it would be morally wrong to disrespect the memory of a murder victim and even contemplates quitting the review right then and there. Then he does research on the spot and learns the real murder victim was a ''male colleague'' of Dr. Adams and that said LoveInterest was a complete work of fiction that completely bastardizes the man the character was based on for drama:

* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Realizing that the Wolfbats are cheating in Pro-Bending finals and bribed the referee to ignoring it, Korra suggests her team do the same, but Mako shuts the idea down, saying the Wolfbats bribed the ref to turn a blind eye to ''them'' cheating, but any rule-breaking done by the Fire Ferrets will result in them being disqualified. Though the Wolfbats do wind up winning handily thanks to their cheating, karma soon strikes them hard when Amon and the Equalists attack the stadium and remove their bending powers, ensuring that this ill-gained victory will be their last.

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10895506/15/Thunder-in-Kanto Thunder in Kanto]]'' Napalm's reaction to beign banned from Celadon Gym - something that is condsidered violation of rules for gym leader? He beats the crap out of Celadon Gym staff, forces his way in and takes Rainbow Badge from frightened Erika. There was not even Pokemon battle, but there sure was a (totally one-sided) fight.

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10895506/15/Thunder-in-Kanto Thunder in Kanto]]'' Napalm's reaction to beign banned from Celadon Gym - something that is condsidered violation of rules for gym leader? He beats the crap out of Celadon Gym staff, forces his way in and takes Rainbow Badge from frightened Erika. There is not even Pokemon battle, but there sure is a fight.

* In ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' Shang Tsung leads a group of Outworlders to assassinate Earthrealm's champions before the tournament begins, and when Raiden calls him on this violation he points out that the Elder Gods, [[TheGodsMustBeLazy as standard for the franchise]], have done nothing to enforce their rules. Raiden takes this to heart and intervenes to teleport his remaining champions to safety, then teleports each of them out to face down an isolated Outworld opponent. They also plan to gang up on Outworld's most powerful champion.

* Defied in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Realizing that the Wolfbats are cheating in Pro-Bending finals and bribed the referee to ignoring it, Korra suggests her team do the same, but Mako shuts the idea down, saying the Wolfbats bribed the ref to turn a blind eye to ''them'' cheating, but any rule-breaking done by the Fire Ferrets will result in them being disqualified.

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': In "Fun for the Whole Family" an important vote, one which had powerful runic protections that would strike and petrify anyone that broke Dwarven law within the location (including vandalism and assault), is interrupted and declared over with no result. [[spoiler:The Exarch, a vampire]] that had been trying to rig the vote, attempts to assault Sigdi (one of those responsible for the interruption) stating nothing prevented him from murdering her; Sigdi answers that since the rules applied both ways, nothing really stopped her ''or'' her massive extended family that was also there [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1174.html from returning the favor]]. [[spoiler:He's promptly [[KarmicDeath dragged into the sun and held down until he burns to ash.]]]]

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': In "Fun for the Whole Family" an important vote, one which had powerful runic protections that would strike and petrify anyone that broke Dwarven law within the location (including vandalism and assault), is interrupted and declared over with no result. [[spoiler:The Exarch, a vampire]] that had been trying to rig the vote, attempts to assault Sigdi (one of those responsible for the interruption) stating nothing prevented him from murdering her; Sigdi answers that since the rules applied both ways, nothing really stopped her ''or'' her massive extended family that was also there [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1174.html from returning the favor]]. [[spoiler:He's promptly [[KarmicDeath dragged into the sun and held down until he burns

--->-- '''Sigdi Thundershield''', ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' to ash.]]]]

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick:'' The page quote comes from a moment where an important vote, one which had powerful runic protections that would strike and petrify anyone that broke Dwarven law within the location (including vandalism and assault), is interrupted and declared over with no result. [[spoiler:The Exarch, a vampire]] that had been trying to rig the vote, attempts to assault Sigdi (one of those responsible for the interruption) stating nothing prevented him from murdering her; Sigdi answers that since the rules applied both ways, nothing really stopped her ''or'' her massive extended family that was also there [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1174.html from returning the favor]]. [[spoiler:He's promptly [[KarmicDeath dragged into the sun and held down until he burns to ash.]]]]