For many years, we’ve witnessed many WWE superstars trying to climb to the top. There are many who couldn’t reach their full potential or could have achieved more. In recent days, WWE lacks behind, and the company has some serious work to be done.
WWE needs to conjure up new talents to reach the top of the game. Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the WWE, is a well-known fact that raises anyone he sees fit. For years, many stars could have filled the roster and could have been big stars, but were just “given the cold shoulder.”
There are some wrestlers the fans believe were just robbed and wasted. It might be due to bad timing or lack of glamour. This list will look at ten such wrestlers who had the slight spark of stardom in WWE, only to be forgotten in a jiffy and left out in the cold.
10. WWE Hall of Famer – Sting
There are only a few icons in wrestling, and Sting was one of them. The rivalry between WCW and WWE (then WWF) in the Monday Night Wars was a reason for this. Sting survived this tussle and debuted in WWE at the age of 55.
His quality was there for everyone to see, even in such an unforgivable age. Despite this, there was no denying that his best years are already far behind him. He only spent a few years in WWE and got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
It left the fans wondering, what did WWE think before the man turned 55? Had he gotten in before that age, he might have been a real gem of the company and the shows.
9. WWE Cruiserweight – Frankie Kazarian
Wrestling world could not determine the level of his stardom. The successes “Kaz” had in Impact and ring of honor indicate what was to come, then WWE had lost a legend.
Kazarian was lovingly called “Kaz” by the fans. During his short stint with WWE, He appeared to be heading to the top with a very decent winning streak. Unfortunately, he only got released by the company.
Kaz said how he could not see any potential future with the company. Kaz had a very impressive in-ring psychology and presence and he was great on mic, but it all came to waste.
8. WWE Intercontinental Champion – Cody Rhodes
It is not only wasteful to have a genius and a born-leader in your itinerary but not utilize him.
The fact that AEW, the closest to a rivalry that WWE has after the fall of the WCW Empire is masterminded by one of the company’s very own, is something that is beyond comprehension.
Rhodes was repulsed and irritated in WWE. He went on to create his path and gave us AEW – the company going head to head with WWE in such a short time
WWE failed to utilize his potential and now they are competing with him.
7. Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze is like “a more charismatic Shawn Michaels”- the looks, the appeal, and abilities. What more could WWE ask of the man?
Furthermore, the man knew how to get reactions, even from the most relaxed fan, and he is a pure heel. But what did WWE decide to do with such a talent? They agreed that it was better to use him as comedy relief and as a jobber who hardly ever gets any in-ring time.
Does it ever cross the mind of WWE why was he compared to “Mr. Wrestlemania”? Breeze had potential but did not get appropriately utilized.
6. WWE Legend Owen Hart
Hart’s story is a very heart-rending tragedy on so many fronts. Aside from the fact that his unfortunate demise was horrible, he never achieved the recognition his character demanded.
It is hard to believe that Hart was not a Heavyweight Champion despite all his talent, charisma, and heavy training. He would have remained a mid-carder if he didn’t unexpectedly defeat his brother at WrestleMania X.
Owen was a fan favorite. He got a reaction no matter what role he played. Hart was popular in the locker room. He is one of the best heels in wrestling history.
Unfortunately, WWE didn’t consider him for the Heavyweight Championship.
5. Rusev
The guy famously called “The Bulgarian Brute” began his career and appeared as if he was heading for the skies. He had a successful fight with the top stars of WWE including the then Champion of United States, John Cena.
His appeal got boosted when he had “Ravishing Russian” Lana as his manager. Now it appears he’s crashing to the ground fast. Rumors had it that he was on his way out of the company.
Rusev has not appeared in a while. Since every day is “Rusev Day”, the big guy himself is nowhere to be seen. Whether this will change remains to be seen but it’s obvious WWE is wasting talent.
4. Mike Kanellis
The man, formerly known as “Miracle,” Mike Bennett, is a wasted talent from the beginning of his career. WWE mocked his manhood and gave him the worst theme song of all time. His abilities got broken down into pieces.
Aside from being an unofficial spokesman of 205 Live, his true worth was not visible. The man showed flashes of brilliance and proved that he has what it takes to become a top guy in the company.
That didn’t help his cause. Kanellis is generally known to be a great talent, and he is well-traveled too. Still, to WWE, he is just Mr. Maria Kanellis. He wasn’t treated well, and his ability failed to hit the top.
3. Sonya Deville
This list now features a gorgeous and fierce wrestler with an exciting sidekick in Mandy Rose. Formerly an MMA fighter, Sonya is the first openly lesbian professional wrestler.
She has many in-ring abilities and can give most of her contemporaries a run for their money, including her sidekick. Maybe, if she competed against the “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, she would get an equal opponent.
The little time she appeared on-screen, she was inconsistent and all over the place. Maybe she’ll get her well-deserved chances, but it is just not happening currently.
2. Robert Roode
Roode was a main eventer at both TNA Impact and NXT. The fans adored him. All WWE had to do was make a bigger frame for his growing image, mold him into a bigger star, and make a considerable fortune along the way.
Now, they have all but forgotten him. Aside from a short stint as a Tag Team Champion and a time-to-time usage as extra, he was not considered a serious competitor.
It is unfortunate, tragic, and wasteful to see such a fantastic talent going to waste, waiting for small roles. If he got adequate opportunities, Roode would have achieved a lot.
1. Ethan Carter III (EC3)
This man gets linked to John Cena, not in terms of fame but in Cena’s famous trademark theme song “You can’t see me” because EC2 can’t be seen for a while now.
His ill-treatment is disgraceful because the man is of headliner talent. He was comparable only to John Cena in the TNA/Impact brand. Also, He starred at NXT, garnering lots of loyal fans. Everyone was eager to see whether he would become the next “big thing.”
Instead, he got neglectful ring times and became lesser and lesser-visible on the television. The fact that he didn’t get booked in the dark matches, is more heartbreaking.
If being a wasted talent has a claim attached to it, EC2 could easily have the claim to be the most useless talent in WWE.
