10 Times WWE Failed To Replace A Major Star
Sometimes, the WWE star-making machine isn't all it's made out to be.
Wrestling is a cyclical business. The sport's nature means that rosters and talent pools are in a constant state of flux, and superstars can drift in and out of the spotlight in the blink of an eye.
Just look at Bill Goldberg: he had been out of wrestling for twelve years, but soon became WWE's top babyface after returning last year. His war with Brock Lesnar has since become wrestling's hottest feud.
When one star departs, another steps in and takes his place. Wrestling his always operated like this, and the sport's volatility and heavy physical toll means promotions rarely go a year without reshuffling their major stars.
Sometimes, it works. When Bret Hart left in 1997 and Shawn Michaels lost his smile (for real) the following year, Steve Austin and The Rock were ready to step-in and become immediate franchise players. It was a smooth, seamless transition, and one that passed without a hitch.
Things aren't always that easy, however. It takes great care and attention to build the next generation of wrestling legends, and WWE's inability to find adequate successors has caused them countless problems over the years...
10. Hawk With Heidenreich
From poetry recitals to one of the worst feuds of The Undertaker’s career, Jon Heidenreich was plagued by nonsensical creative decisions throughout his WWE career. He was never the most exciting wrestler in the world in the first place, but the way he was booked left him with zero chance of ever getting over, and his last few months with the company were some of his most questionable.
Heidenreich turned face in 2005, and found himself embroiled in a feud with MNM (Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro). He fell victim to a series of 2-on-1 assaults every single week until Road Warrior Animal returned to the company for the first time since Hawk’s passing two years prior. Animal and Heidenreich soon teamed-up, and they challenged for MNM’s WWE Tag Team Championships at The Great American Bash.
They were victorious, and Heidenreich had earned his spiked shoulder pads. Animal officially inducted him into the Legion of Doom, and Heidenreich donned the famous pads and face paint for the remainder of his run. The act was designed as a tribute, but it came-off as nothing more than a cheap imitation, particularly when Heidenreich styled his hair to look like Hawk’s trademark mohawk.
LoD are legendary, but you can’t recreate greatness with an inferior partner 15+ years after the team’s prime.