Every once in a while we see WWE pushing a new superstar to the top of the roster. Sometimes the promotion gets successful with the push of a specific superstar but a few times they feel miserable. In the PG Era, we saw Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, and Charlotte Flair enjoying a successful push. But there are several superstars that the company will regret pushing to the top. So let’s take a look at the list of superstars that WWE thought can be the face of the company but that was not actually possible.
Top 7 failed pushes by WWE
7. Kharma
The whole WWE universe was really excited about the push of Kharma. She was signed by WWE after her dominant run in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Kharma was also a top star in the Knockouts Division of TNA. But due to outside problems and issues, the former TNA star failed to rise in the ranks. During her time with WWE, she got pregnant and then lost her baby. Kharma never had a proper run with the promotion and she wrestled in only one match.
6. Fandango
Fandango’s promo was filled with fancy moves and eye-catching graphics. He made a lot of appearances on Monday night RAW initially but he never wrestled. Just because the announcer was not able to pronounce his name properly. Interestingly, Fandango got to make his debut at WrestleMania 29, where he defeated pro wrestling legend, Chris Jericho. Fandango’s song also became a major hit around the world. But that didn’t help him for long, he eventually ended up at NXT.
5. Wade Barrett
Wada Barrett’s push was really insane. He won the original season of NXT when it used to be a game show. After the win, he was quickly pushed to the main roster by the company. He was introduced to the main roster as the leader of Nexus. Following that, he also became the first British-born world champion in WWE. But as the group got disbanded, the audience lost a connection with the Brit. Wade Barrett also won the king of the Ring tournament in 2015. But it was too late as, after the end of Nexus, WWE already lost their faith in the Brit.
4. Lord Tensai
Well, it all ended as a joke. It is really evident that WWE loves a monster heel. For example, Mark Henry, The Big Show, Braun Strowman and more have enjoyed a push by the company during their time. Basically, it is easy to push someone as a heel because the storyline rights itself in the scenario. After a dominant display in Japan, WWE brought Matt Bloom back into the business. Initially got a chance on John Cena but the audience was not able to connect with him. He eventually ended up in a comedic tag team with Brodus Clay.
3. Ezekiel Jackson
WWE thought that Ezekiel Jackson is the complete superstar that they were looking for to be the face of the company. His physicality and strength were his strong points. The company also crowned him as the final-ever ECW Champion. Jackson’s signature move Torture Rack was also a then-big thing in the promotion. But the former International Champion later ended up as another forgotten man in the business.
2. Vladimir Kozlov
Vladimir Kozlov got a majestic push when he arrived in WWE. Following his entrance into the promotion, Kozlov found himself in the title picture alongside Triple H and the Undertaker. He even defeated the Deadman at the Friday night SmackDown. But the lack of interest and connection with the audience made WWE lose interest in him. Eventually, he became the second half of the comedic tag team with Santino Marella. However, he became the tag team champion.
1. Ryback
This is a controversial one. Ryback was destined to be a top-level star. He had everything that is required to be a champion. He was physically strong as well as connective to the audience. Everything was fine, but his push didn’t work at all. Ryback got an early push and he found himself battling against CM Punk and John Cena. But he was not a safe superstar to fight with. That eventually ended him as a mid-card superstar. Although, Ryback has been in news for a while following a controversy.
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