The WWF had big plans for Ahmed Johnson. He was a former NFL player, built like a brick s***house and had a strange charisma about him. He had the look and it was assumed that he could make a connection with the crowd and become the next Hulk Hogan. That's what Vince though, anyway. The company signed the six year pro to a lucrative contract in 1995 and immediately began pushing him. He was presented as Shawn Michaels' best friend on television in order to give him the rub and he would easily dismantle opponents in televised matches. The good news was that it worked. For a time, at least. As popular as Johnson was, the fact remained that he was a pretty terrible worker. He had no stamina and thus couldn't be relied on to work long matches. Worse still, he had the nasty habit of injuring himself and his opponents. He was too enthusiastic and full-on. For a guy his size, that is understandably dangerous. Oh, he was an absolutely awful promo, too. One of the worst ever. Johnson did have some decent matches with the eccentric Goldust (a true ring general) and he became the first black Intercontinental Champion in history. Yes, the WWF still had faith in him. Things were going good for Ahmed but he got injured yet again, derailing his momentum. He turned heel by joining the Nation of Domination and was at one point scheduled to feud with The Undertaker. Not only that, but he was supposed to beat 'The Dead Man' for the WWF Title at Canadian Stampede. Imagine that: Ahmed Johnson beating The Undertaker for the WWF Championship. Johnson, ever the liability, got injured again and was replaced by Vader. The WWF really dodged a bullet there.
