10 Totally Ineffective WWE Heel Runs

4. The Underfaker

undertaker underfaker
WWE.com

Whatever positive attributes Brian Lee may have possessed as a professional wrestler, he wasn't allowed to show them during his first WWE run. Having previously worked for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where he was a two-time Heavyweight Champion, Lee was signed by Vince McMahon in 1994, and soon became the lead antagonist in one of the era's most maligned storylines.

Lee played an imposter version of The Undertaker, who'd disappeared after losing to Yokozuna at the Royal Rumble. He started appearing dressed like 'The Deadman,' with Ted DiBiase claiming that he was actually the original 'Taker, and that he'd been convinced to join the Million Dollar Corporation. He clearly wasn't, though, and this all built up to a match at SummerSlam '94, when The Undertaker finally met The Underfaker.

The faux-Phenom was soundly defeated in an absolute stinker of the match, and while the idea of Lee continuing in the role was initially suggested, the story was dropped soon after. It had completely failed to get Lee over with the crowd, and the SummerSlam match was a total flop, with the 'Faker looking severely out of his depth. He was released later that year, but would eventually return as Chainz in 1997.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.