10 Times WWE Missed Opportunities To Create Lasting Main Event Superstars

3. Wade Barrett Vs. Randy Orton (Survivor Series 2010)

ryback cm punk
WWE.com

In 2010, WWE really got the wrestling world buzzing with the introduction of the Nexus, lead by Wade Barrett.

The group ran roughshod over WWE's top stars and the culmination of the angle came at Survivor Series where Barrett challenged Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. By this point in 2010, Randy Orton was already a multi-time world champion and a title defense against the newcomer Barrett would do little for his career. On the other hand, Wade winning the WWE Championship here would've skyrocketed him to the top of WWE.

The Nexus had organically created a buzz not seen since the nWo, but instead of capitalizing on it and pushing its leader to the moon, WWE put Orton over and wasted a big opportunity.

In the fallout, WWE did elevate another mid-carder when The Miz defeated Orton for the title the next night on RAW, but this was Bad News for Barrett. Wade was immediately supplanted as WWE's top heel and, due to poor timing and bad luck over the next several years, would never get that spot back.

Contributor
Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.