Over the years, many wrestlers have found success in WWE by winning over the fans. This can happen through consistent hard work and opportunities both inside and outside WWE programming, or sometimes through unexpected bursts of momentum that capture the fans’ attention and affection.
Karrion Kross is a recent example of a wrestler who ignited excitement in the WWE scene despite limited TV exposure. Initially overlooked in storylines and character development from 2022 to 2024, Kross gradually gained fan support, especially after some minor tweaks to his persona and notable performances in dark matches and main events. His online promos further fueled his rise, making him a popular heel figure today.
Tatanka was well-liked during his initial WWE tenure but never reached major heights before leaving the company. His surprise return on Raw in 2005 to face Eugene was met with great enthusiasm, leading to a WWE rehiring. However, this resurgence was brief, and he eventually faded out again after a couple of years.
Damien Sandow struggled as a jobber with weak gimmicks until he found success as The Miz’s stunt double, “Mizdow.” His dedication to this comedic role made him a standout on WWE television, peaking with notable appearances like WrestleMania 31’s kickoff show. Unfortunately, once he dropped the stunt double persona, both WWE and fans lost interest in him.
Tamina spent many years at the lower end of the card but gained traction starting in 2020. Fans began showing more appreciation for her, especially during the pandemic, and she had opportunities to win the SmackDown Women’s Title at WrestleMania 36 and Money in the Bank, though she fell short. At WrestleMania 37, she and Natalya received positive crowd support chasing the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, eventually winning them shortly after. Despite this, her popularity waned, and she returned to a lower card role without much fanfare.
Fan Take: These stories showcase how unpredictable and dynamic fan reactions can shape WWE careers, often turning underwhelming pushes into breakout moments. For WWE fans, this means there’s always potential for surprise stars to emerge, keeping the sport exciting and full of fresh narratives.
