10 Next Big Things In Wrestling That Totally Flopped

WWE had such high hopes for these aspiring stars, but then the bell rang.

By Jamie Kennedy /

WWE knew they were taking a risk when they dubbed Brock Lesnar the 'Next Big Thing' in 2002. No, it wasn't much of one, because Brock was a can't miss prospect with clear potential to become a federation focal point, but pinning a promotion's future on any wrestler is always uncertain.

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Brock worked out - everyone here...didn't.

OK, so there's still time for a couple included. They could turn things around and prove to be success stories in the end, but right now? Right now, they're main event busts that didn't pan out the way everyone behind the scenes hoped. Then, there are the outright flops from yesteryear. They were lessons learned for creative, and hopefully Triple H was paying attention.

There's room for one AEW star too. He seemed to have a rocket strapped to him, and fans were responding in kind, but then Tony Khan got in his own way and fumbled the ball big time. There's probably no going back. "Probably" doesn't mean never, but things don't look good.

Wrestling fans have watched some number of next big things come and go. Here are the worst examples of misplaced confidence!

10. Austin Theory

It hurts a wee bit to put Austin Theory here, but he belongs.

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WWE surely thought Theory would be a multi-time World Champion and wildly successful main event heel by now. That seemed to be the plan when Austin was hanging around with Vince McMahon on-screen, winning Money In The Bank and bragging to anyone who'd listen that he beat John Cena.

Things went south post-Cena though. In truth, they'd threatened to do so for a while before that; probs stretching back to Theory's MITB experience. It didn't quite springboard him into the headline mix permanently, shall we say. Today, he's in a heel tag-team with Grayson Waller that'll maybe lead to an unlikely breakout babyface run.

Nothing is guaranteed though. So, yes it hurts to put Theory here (and he's on the list so early because the dude still has a chance), but it's also difficult to deny that he flopped in a featured spot. Perhaps it came too soon for the ex-Evolve blue chipper.

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