10 Most Disappointing Wrestlers Of 2016

5. TJ Perkins

TJ Perkins
WWE.com

The Cruiserweight Classic was one of WWE’s biggest success stories in 2016, and TJ Perkins emerged as its breakout star. He didn’t always dazzle on the same level as Kota Ibushi, but TJP produced great matches with the former NJPW man and Gran Metalik en route to winning the tournament. He was crowned WWE Cruiserweight Champion, and all signs pointed towards megastardom.

Then Perkins arrived on the main roster, and things took a nasty turn. He wasn’t even part of the Cruiserweight Division’s Raw debut, and soon inherited an awful gamer gimmick that ran his credibility into the ground. Perkins got some 8-bit entrance music, started using teams like “extra life” and “hit the reset button” in actual, real-life conversations, and fell from his pedestal just as quickly as he’d ascended.

Now, Perkins is a third fiddle act at best. Rich Swann and Neville are 205 Live’s biggest stars, and the former champion’s momentum has been run into the ground. There was always a danger this would happen on the main roster, and CWC fans’ worst fears have come to pass. Perkins remains a tremendously talented in-ring technician, but his main roster transition has been atrocious, and instead of becoming the Cruiserweight Division’s figurehead, TJP is just another guy.

Channel Manager
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.