10 Incredible Transformations From Jobbers To WWE Champions
7. Mankind
It took Jim Ross' best sales patter to convince ardent critic Vince McMahon that Mick Foley was worth the money and time in 1996, but The Chairman should have just re-watched a match he called a decade earlier if he needed proof of 'The Hardcore Legend's commitment to the cause.
A young "Jack Foley" got such a vicious beating from the British Bulldogs during a Superstars taping that he would have been forgiven for walking away from the industry entirely, rather than spending half of a legendary career absorbing blows just as brutal. Davey Boy Smith nearly sent him through the canvas with his running powerslam, while Dynamite Kid dislodged his jaw with a clothesline from somewhere lower than whatever corner of Hell JBL frequents.
As Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love, Foley was almost all things to all fans during a legendary run, but he thankfully never paid any of this bullying bullsh*t forward. As selfless a performer as there was to reach the pinnacle of the industry, McMahon ended up fortunate to have him as his Champion after years of resisting the urge. His son-in-law was a made man forever in its wake.