10 Most Shocking 2023 Wrestler Transformations

8. Cameron Grimes

Toni Storm Transformation
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Cameron Grimes was a joy in the death rattle days of pre-2.0 NXT - a literal light in the dark of the off-putting, intense pit that was the Capitol Wrestling Center.

He radiated a massively endearing, hyperactive goofball charisma. He was funny as a heel, and - in contrast to the boneyard of cringe elsewhere - actually retained his wit and charm when he turned babyface. In WWE, that tends to be impossible.

As silly as his output often was - a lot of it got over in spite of lightweight material through the sheer force of his personality - there was a certain heart to his act. If someone of Cameron's size and offbeat appeal was never going to the moon on the main roster, he was still a writer's dream. His versatile, fun character was destined to be a perennial fixture. It was fun to watch him lose and warming to watch him win.

Incredibly, he was beyond dull on the main roster - an almost complete nonentity on SmackDown. He got himself into excellent physical shape, which actually detracted from his act. Gone was the deluded "chancer" of old, and the charisma was sucked out of him entirely.

It was as if he didn't come through in PWG after all, but rather John Laurinaitis-era developmental.

 
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Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!