Achieving success in wrestling is notoriously tough. Even some of the sport’s legends have spent decades trying to carve out what fans consider a prosperous career, often barely scratching the surface. The harsh reality is that despite doing everything right and having a strong fan following, some wrestlers end up with less notable careers than expected.
Many wrestlers followed directions, thrilled audiences, and performed well. While injuries are frequently cited as a major obstacle, other factors also diminish the potential of some great stars.
Chris Kanyon – An Underrated Talent WWE Didn’t Utilize Properly
Chris Kanyon was a cherished wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), especially for his alliances with Raven and Diamond Dallas Page (DDP). Together with DDP, he won the WCW World Tag Team Championship before transitioning to WWE during the invasion storyline. In WWE, Kanyon secured the WWE World Tag Team and WCW US Championships, but his momentum stalled after an injury and a stint in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Fans may remember his notable segment with SmackDown’s Undertaker, but shortly after, he was released. Kanyon was also open about his struggles with his sexual identity and drug addiction before his tragic passing in 2010.
Mr. Kennedy – A Promising Star Amidst Controversy
Kennedy arrived in WWE as a promising talent, poised for stardom. An injury sidelined him for six months, yet he returned to claim the WWE US Championship. He famously won the Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania 23 but had to relinquish it due to another injury. Unfortunately, a reputation for being tough to work with led to his release. He later found success in TNA, winning their World Championship, though many felt he never quite fulfilled the original promise he showed in WWE.
Mike Awesome – Undermined by Poor Gimmicks
Mike Awesome was a formidable force in ECW and Japan, but financial issues prompted him to sign with WCW while still holding the ECW World Title. Despite a strong start, WCW saddled him with ill-fitting gimmicks like the "fat chick stirrer" and "that 70s guy," which hindered his career. After WCW’s closure, he appeared in ECW’s One Night Stand event in 2005, but lingering criticism about past decisions haunted his legacy.
Chris Masters – Rushed to the Spotlight Too Soon
Starting his career in 2002, Chris Masters quickly rose to headline pay-per-views and even challenge for the WWE Championship by 2005. Despite comparisons to fast-rising stars like Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, Masters lacked adequate development and training at the time, leading to underperformance. His signature move, the Master Lock Challenge, was eventually dropped, and he was released, returning briefly to WWE before moving on to the independent circuit and NWA.
Kharma/Awesome Kong – A Talent Let Go Too Quickly
Known for a strong run in TNA, Awesome Kong entered WWE with high hopes to bolster the women’s division. However, after a brief absence due to pregnancy, she made her official WWE ring debut in the 2012 Royal Rumble match but was soon released without further television exposure. Kong later returned to TNA and the independent scene, although she never regained the momentum of her earlier career.
Muhammad Hassan – Victim of Unfortunate Timing in Popular Culture
Marc Copani had success in WWE’s developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling before being introduced to the main roster as Muhammad Hassan, an Arab-American character. The gimmick highlighted the discrimination faced post-9/11 due to Middle Eastern stereotypes. Following a controversial angle with The Undertaker at The Great American Bash, Hassan was removed from TV shortly after the London bombing incident, as WWE faced intense media scrutiny and public backlash.
Fan Take: This rundown highlights how even immense talent can be hindered by injuries, poor creative decisions, or unfortunate timing in wrestling. For WWE fans, it underscores the importance of thoughtful character development and supportive environments for wrestlers, reminding us that the sport’s future depends on learning from past missteps to better nurture potential stars.
