10 Failed WWE Wrestlers Who Became Cult Classics
R-Truth Will Set You Free.
It's never been hard to be universally loved in pro wrestling than right now.
In the social media-obsessed landscape that makes up the modern age, wrestlers are as likely to log in to Twitter to find notifications loaded with hate as they are love regardless of their babyface/heel alignment. Fantasy roleplaying accounts 'shipping them with other faves, dummy fake account set up to slander them and other brand new scenarios impossible to receive, the shrinking world has created a growing number of ways the performers can view their support, but reduced they way to understand what the f*ck it actually means.
There used to be a divide between megastars and cult favourites, but it's getting harder than ever to spot the difference. The IIconics have an astonishing amount of support for their hilarious antics online, but those cheerleaders are likely to clash heads with fans still furious over WrestleMania match that sent Sasha Banks potentially heading for the exit. Becky Lynch gained hundreds of thousands of followers online whilst being painted by the product as the ousted outcast. The "CM Punk" chants may never stop, even though clamours for his return have gradually begin to subside.
'The Voice Of The Voiceless' was at least a mammoth success during his time atop the industry. None of the below ever achieved such status, but have the honour of amber preservations amongst their by fiercely loyal fans.
10. Hakushi
Another superworker from the period WWE doesn't shine enough spotlight on, WhatCulture.com's Benjamin Richardson rather astutely noted that Hakushi's in-ring work was as ahead of the time as the character was behind it.
Watched with frustration in the present day, WWE's cloy "americanising" of the character after a babyface turn missed the point entirely. He'd earned cheers because his matches were too magnificent to boo - battles with Bret Hart, The 1-2-3 Kid and others on a supremely gifted and hardworking roster were routinely the best of the time, with audiences far more sophisticated than an out-of-touch Vince McMahon gave them credit for.
The Hakushi run represents a western sweet spot for Jinsei Shinsaki too. The man behind the painted tattoos thrilled in Japan for decades but only made occasional appearances for ECW et al during the rest of his time in America.
In WWE less than two years total, his back catalogue became a must-watch for fans playing catch-up with the era years later, not least thanks to clashes such as this firecracker with Hart being put over by 'The Hitman' himself as a personal favourite.