12 Cursed Comparisons That DOOMED Promising Wrestlers
Too much pressure, too much hype, too many comparisons made far too soon.
The curse of comparison is an interesting mind-bender.
At first, comparing one wrestler to another who earned fanfare from audiences years before isn't the worst thing. In fact, it can be rather complimentary and often a sure sign that people (including those backstage making key decisions for massive companies like WWE) see a bright future for someone.
All too often, there's a bitter dose of realism lurking just beneath such observations though; and it's waiting like Edge/Adam Copeland in the corner to deliver a spear. In reality, referring to a promising wrestler as 'the next coming of...' can actually prove to be a creative noose that stifles their development rather than aiding it.
Can those afflicted with this curse come out on the other end with a smile? Of course they can, but not without spreading their wings and seeking ways to break free from pesky comparisons following them around like an unwanted shadow. Rather ironically, it's them who need to get out of someone else's shadow!
Various hopefuls on this list have been likened to heroes of yesteryear like The Undertaker, Goldberg, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero and even The Ultimate Warrior. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions from those gushing with praise, that didn't do the stars-to-be any long term favours.
Suddenly, and without warning, those they reminded fans/critics/management of became a cruel measuring stick nobody involved even asked for. 'Aw, it turns out they're not as good as this iconic wrestler I decided they're like after all'.
12. Shaniqua (Chyna)
Kicking off with an unexpected case study here.
Linda Miles was co-winner of the second Tough Enough season alongside Jackie Gayda. Looking back, neither woman was really ready for top tier WWE TV, but things were doubly unfair on Linda because she was immediately compared to Chyna because of her super strong physique.
Company announcers even mentioned that on-air from time to time. Linda's ascent and reimagining as dominatrix Shaniqua also fell just a few short years after Joanie Laurer left WWE, so management wanted to position her as an improvement. She wasn't just 'the next Chyna', Shaniqua was better than.
Except she wasn't - it wasn't even close. Nobody's gonna claim that Chyna was Chad Gable between the ropes, but she had more to offer than WWE fancied pretending she did in 2003-2004. Being brutally honest, the pressure of living up to her body proved to be too much for Miles.
The 'too much, too soon' bug walloped Linda as well. Reportedly, her ego got far too big and rubbed a few folks the wrong way backstage. Those in charge had quickly created a monster by acting like this genuine rookie was better than an iconic 'Attitude Era' favourite.
Shaniqua wasn't long for the biz. She wrestled her last match on the independent scene after leaving WWE behind in '04, then went on to give wrestling the middle finger. Looking back, higher-ups definitely got ahead of themselves by claiming she was Chyna 2.0.
She wasn't even Chyna 0.5, and that's the harsh reality.