10 Biggest Missed Opportunities In WWE History

3. The Nexus

ECW locker room 2006
WWE.com

For a brief period of time, The Nexus were WWE’s hottest ticket. Their debut was shocking. 8 young wrestlers appeared during John Cena’s main event clash with CM Punk, destroying Cena, staff, and literally tearing the ringside area apart. It was an instant shot to the arm, and a much-needed jolt of energy for WWE’s stagnating product.

The leader, Wade Barrett, was a ready-made superstar. Charismatic, skilled in the ring, and with a look ideally suited for WWE main events, Barrett and his Nexus stablemates should’ve become megastars. They were young, hungry, focused, and they weren’t going to wait for opportunities. They were going to make their own.

But WWE cut them off at the knees. John Cena refused to put them over, and instead of conquering WWE, The Nexus died a quiet death by Cena’s hand. The group’s formation should’ve made several marketable superstar but, instead, it all but killed any chance of Barrett ever reaching main event level, and only 3 of the group’s 8 original competitors remain on the active roster today.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.