10 Times TNA Succeeded Where WWE Failed
9. Monty Brown
In the early days of TNA, Monty Brown was one of the most colourful homegrown talents on the roster. A former professional footballer, Brown was no stranger to the spotlight, having competed in Super Bowl XXVIII for the Buffalo Bills.
With his leopard print outfit, his electric persona and his devastating finishing move - The Pounce - the man nicknamed “The Alpha Male” quickly became a TNA standout. Brown seemed on course for an eventual run as World Heavyweight Champion; however, despite several attempts he was never able to win the big one.
Nevertheless, Monty Brown was a big time player in TNA, constantly feuding with headline acts, from Sting and Christian Cage to Rhino and Samoa Joe. Sadly that acclaim would come to an end when he signed with the WWE in 2006.
Bizarrely renamed Marcus Cor Von, Brown debuted as part of the ECW brand. Cor Von became part of ECW’s New Breed stable and made his one and only WrestleMania appearance in 2007 in an 8-man tag between the New Breed and the ECW Originals.
After feuding with CM Punk, Cor Von took a sabbatical for what was reported as “family issues” and never returned. He was released from his WWE contract three months later and never wrestled again.