10 Forgotten TNA Wrestlers You Totally Don't Remember
9. Chris Melendez
Both men pictured with Chris Melendez above badly wanted to help him succeed. Mr. Anderson and Bully Ray were reportedly impressed by the former military man's work ethic, and they agreed to do everything to make him TNA's next success story. They didn't bank on Dixie Carter failing to meet them halfway.
Melendez needed something more than the ex-soldier gimmick anyway.
Wrestling fans had watched companies like WWE and WCW try to make military service one of the most impressive things going for decades, and it felt old hat by the time Chris showed up in 2014. The fact he was wearing a prosthetic leg after losing one of his limbs in Iraq didn't charm the fanbase either, no matter how much TNA tried.
Melendez worked a total of 22 matches during a 2014-2016 core stint with the promotion. They'd bring him back for a one off at 2019's Salute To The Troops special, but that was little more than a token gesture designed to capitalise on his real-life military work.