Many wrestling promotions often book wrestlers who are being pushed, mainly performers in WWE who are seen as future stars. To build compelling storylines, these talents are frequently booked strongly, although some receive more intense pushes than others. However, figures like Vince McMahon and Triple H have been known to abruptly withdraw support from certain strong performers, leading to a decline in their booking and ultimately weakening their status. When companies abruptly change direction and devalue talent, it can severely damage their careers. For example, some towering wrestlers once portrayed as unstoppable eventually lost their momentum.
One such case is Big Show, who was signed in 1999 and became a prominent WWE figure for many years. Initially booked strongly, shifting from main event to top mid-card roles, his standing faded in the 2010s, especially with the arrival of newer giants like Braun Strowman and Big Cass. Similarly, Mabel, once crowned King of the Ring, experienced a significant downturn, shifting from a major star to a comedic act under the “world’s biggest love machine” gimmick after initial pushes in the mid-90s.
Alex Riley, once hailed as a top prospect and Miz’s protégé, saw his push collapse after reported conflicts with John Cena, losing important matches and his momentum altogether. A-train, also known by various names like Albert and Lord Tensai, had several pushes but was repeatedly dropped by WWE, eventually finding more success behind the scenes. Brakkus, discovered by Vince McMahon as a potential star due to his bodybuilding background, failed to develop his in-ring skills, leading to a quick loss of billing support.
Wade Barrett, initially the fierce leader of Nexus, experienced a sharp decline after losing to John Cena, transforming from a top-tier threat to a mid-card player frequently losing matches. Gene Snitsky, pushed multiple times as a terrifying heel, never quite lived up to expectations, with storylines often turning fans’ laughter instead of boos. Mark Henry enjoyed a lengthy career with multiple pushes, including a late-career world championship run, before transitioning to a role helping elevate other stars.
Vladimir Kozlov started with an impressive undefeated streak and top-tier matchups but saw his push end after defeats from prominent wrestlers, eventually turning to comedy roles. Lastly, The Great Khali was brought in as a dominant giant and compared to legends like Andre the Giant, yet his limitations in the ring and failure to improve his performance diminished his star power, leading to weaker booking and losing credibility by putting others over.
Fan Take: This rundown highlights how even the most promising talents in WWE can swiftly fall from grace when booking support wanes, underscoring the unpredictability of wrestling careers. For WWE fans, these stories serve as cautionary tales about how a combination of storytelling, backstage politics, and performer development can dramatically shape the sport’s landscape and its stars’ legacies.
