10 Superstars Failed By The WWE System
For when the glass ceiling is bulletproof.
When Bray Wyatt finally ascended to WWE's promised land with his Elimination Chamber victory, it wasn't just joy many of his supporters felt, it was marked relief.
Because as successful as WWE can be at churning out the wrestling industry's biggest stars, all too often the sprawling organisation neglects a potential talent to such a degree that virtually no rescue mission can salvage the remains.
Even in the 'New Era', where Triple H's NXT system routinely churns out ready-made superstars fresh onto the main roster, there are still casualties. And unjust talent failures within Vince McMahon's empire even date back further than the mid-2000s, where an entire generation was lost to poor talent development and integration.
A wasteland of potential superstars have been left in the aftermath of these failings, with WWE systematically letting down performers who may have had the the aura of a World Champion, developed a unique character, been excellent in the ring, on the microphone, or even a combination of all the above.
With a diverse collection stemming from the never-was to the near-miss, here are 10 Superstars Failed By The WWE System.
10. Derrick Bateman
One of several blunders from the disastrous original iteration of NXT, Derrick Bateman was a physically impressive standout in the equally flawed Florida Championship Wrestling territory, teaming successfully with Johnny 'Fandango' Curtis.
Finishing third in his season of the bungled developmental show, Bateman returned for NXT Redemption, the fifth season of the show that allowed prior losers a second chance.
He would inadvertently find cult success on this version of the show, when the 'Redemption' format was completely dropped, leaving Bateman and the rest of the roster competing in stasis on what had effectively become an inconsequential third brand.
Working again with Curtis and WWE divas Maxine and Kaitlyn, Bateman's personality shone through in months of tongue-in-cheek segments that also drew in Tyler Reks, Curt Hawkins and NXT authority figures Matt Striker and William Regal.
However, as the show migrated to the successful Full Sail University incarnation, Bateman was curiously neglected.
Despite minor inclusion in the very early days of filming, Bateman's stock fell below numerous new faces that emerged on the show, and less than a year later, he was released.
Mere months after, he became a rare TNA success story as Ethan Carter III, and would now be a welcome addition to WWE's ranks.