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.