10 Times Wrestlers Abandoned Their Comfort Zone
9. The Love Test
Romance wasn't exactly the coolest theme to build a storyline around in the blood-and-thunder Attitude Era, but the budding relationship between on-screen novice Stephanie McMahon and relative in-ring newcomer Test propelled both to remarkable heights in the summer of 1999.
Fans felt genuine connection to the young lovers, with Test crossing lines in even asking the bosses daughter for a date in the first place.
The act of apparent insubordination drew the ire of over-protective brother Shane, who waged a war of attrition on the former Corporation member alongside his 'Mean Street Posse' buddies in the build-up to a scintillating 'Love Her or Leave Her' match at August's SummerSlam pay-per-view.
With the stipulation determining if the pair could stay together or not, the two stole the show with a memorable stunt brawl that concluded with a spectacular elbow drop from the near seven-footer.
The thunderous ovation at the celebratory embrace between Test and Stephanie proved how surprisingly successful the storyline had been at resonating with the predominantly young male audience.
Despite the creative triumph, Test would be an unfortunate victim in the end, with his position alongside Stephanie usurped by Triple H during the famous aborted wedding between the pair. He never got close to main event status again.