10 Post-WWE Runs That Were Nothing Like We Expected

CJ Parker's hippy persona played out like a babyface jobber version of Daniel Bryan's acclaimed Planet's Champion run. Presented as an eco-friendly eccentric, Parker ate losses left, right and centre before bowing out of the promotion entirely.

Starting all over again with his old Juice Robinson name, he joined the gruelling New Japan Dojo and was retrained in the art of strong style. Free of the goofy antics that anchored him in NXT, Robinson quickly became a lovable underdog. On the mic, he continues to go from strength to strength as a sympathetic fighter trying to claw his way up the card.

The US title never felt more important than during Robinson's reigns. Despite major names such as Kenny Omega, Jay White and Jon Moxley holding the red strap, it was Robinson who presented the belt as the most important thing in his life. When he lost the belt to Moxley in 2019, Robinson appeared genuinely devastated by the setback with the kind of passion and realism modern wrestling often severely lacks. Currently on Impact with tag partner David Finlay, the promotion could benefit greatly from pushing Robinson in singles action this year.