10 Failed WWE Wrestlers Who Became Cult Classics

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.