10 Major Signings That WWE Totally Wasted

7. Steve Williams

Sting Survivor Series
WWE.com

One of professional wrestling's foremost real-life "tough guys," 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams is best known for his work in Japan, where he became one of the most iconic gaijin wrestlers of all time. A former AJPW Triple Crown holder, he was extremely successful as both a singles wrestler and one half of the Miracle Violence Connection with Terry Gordy, with the bulk of his greatest accomplishments coming on that side of the Pacific.

Sadly, Williams' career unravelled as soon as he set foot in WWE. It's impossible to mention his name without bringing up the Brawl For All, and his fate goes hand-in-hand with that of the company's disastrously ill-conceived shoot fighting tournament.

The competition was, by all accounts, designed specifically for Williams to win. There were even reports that WWE were so confident in his success that they'd paid him the $100,000 winner's prize ahead of time, but 'Dr. Death' was ultimately embarrassed. He defeated Pierre Carl Ouellet in the first round, but suffered a torn hamstring against Bart Gunn in the second, and was promptly knocked out cold.

Williams' badass reputation was in the gutter. The injury kept him out for months, and while 'Dr. Death' did return to TV, his main event hopes were dashed, and his career was never the same again.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.