10 Failed WWE Stars Who Re-Invented Themselves In Japan

10. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin had all the potential to be a main-eventer in WWE, but a few bad backstage decisions led to him being pushed down the card and eventually released from WWE in 2010. Some say it was all due to one incident where he criticized a WWE legend (who worked as a road agent), and that was enough to forever tarnish him in the eyes of many WWE higher-ups. But that didn€™t keep the skilled Benjamin down, and he signed with NJPW in 2013. Determined to highlight the athleticism that made Benjamin a star in WWE, NJPW allowed the newly-christened €˜Shelton X Benjamin€™ to perform in the style he found most comfortable. That has since led to a large number of great matches and entertaining moments, as Benjamin hasn€™t needed to cut many promos (which is a known weakness of his). Though he has yet to win any major championships in Japan, he has managed to reverse the negative momentum he has experienced since 2006 almost completely. Nowadays, fans recognize him for his skills and agility, and not for the cheesy gimmicks and stop/start pushes he had to suffer through while working for WWE.