8 Times WWE Turned Trash Into Treasure
Forget nWo 4 life, because Hulk still rules... brother!
Not every idea dreamed up by WWE's creative team can be a good one, and not every single performer to come along can be a winner - that's just a fact of life. For every 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, there are a million wrestlers on the undercard criminally misused by the folks writing this stuff.
The truth is though, even the mighty Austin had his struggles. Let's not forget that WWE's biggest ever box office draw was once known as 'The Ringmaster' and plodding along without much direction. It wasn't until Austin himself started injecting his on screen character with some attitude that fame followed.
'Austin 3:16' was not quite the overnight sensation WWE's propaganda machine would like fans to believe. It took time, effort, and some fresh thought to make Stone Cold a success story. For all their troubles creating new stars now, WWE have often followed Austin's lead since and made a habit out of turning rubbish situations into gold...
8. Naomi - Funkadactyl To Feel The Glow
Hindsight makes it clear that the Brodus Clay 'Funkasaurus' gimmick was an aberration. Dancing awkwardly alongside Naomi and Cameron - his 'Funkadactyls' - Clay was a low-card comedy act WWE tried to dress up as a genuine star. Along for the ride, Naomi has since traded dancing for wrestling and is now SmackDown Women's Champion.
The 'Feel The Glow' gimmick was Naomi's own idea, WWE (thankfully) listened and now she's a star in her own right. Free from the shackles of the backup dancer role, she's been able to show what she can do when it really matters. Through determination, Naomi has finally become an asset to WWE rather than a bit-part player.
That was never a guarantee even when she started wrestling more regularly. Naomi has managed The Usos and been part of the short-lived Team B.A.D with Sasha Banks and Tamina, but now she can stand on her own merits. It's about time.