10 Most Disappointing Wrestlers Of 2016

3. Damien Sandow

Aron Rex
Impact Wrestling

A number of big name wrestlers left WWE in 2016, but none were more disappointing than Damien Sandow. A huge hit as both the Intellectual Savior of the Masses and The Miz’s stunt double, Sandow had gotten himself over with the crowd naturally and organically, but WWE didn’t capitalise. Instead, they relegated Sandow back to jobbing duty despite being one of the company’s most popular faces as MizDow, and he was barely used in his final few months.

Long considered one of wrestling’s most misused talents, Sandow’s release should have been a blessing. Signing with TNA should have given him the chance to prove Vince McMahon wrong, and excel as a character of his own making. People were legitimately calling for a main event push during Sandow’s WWE peak, and it looked like they were finally getting their wish, albeit on a smaller stage.

Unfortunately, Aron Rex has been a failure. The former Sandow debuted as a generic babyface, and immediately dismissed the Savior gimmick that had made him so popular in the first place. Rex made the bold claim that his arrival would revolutionise the business, and it backfired: Rex has been drier than stale bread in TNA, insinuating that Vince might have been right about him all along.

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.