10 Wrestlers Too Big To Fail (That Failed Anyway)

6. Dean Ambrose (WWE: 2012-2019)

Big Show crying
WWE.com

From a WWE standpoint, the most frustrating thing about Jon Moxley isn't that he has been an invaluable boon to AEW since its emergence as WWE's closest competition since TNA was in its prime, but that he could be doing this on Vince McMahon's watch.

WWE let the coolest wrestler on the planet slip away. They jobbed him out to exploding televisions, had him carry around a named potted plant, forced him to wear a gas mask and get butt cheek injections to prevent him from Each and Every Single One Of You, and scripted cruel lines taking aim at his real-life friend's leukaemia against his will. By January 2019, Ambrose said "screw this," told WWE he wouldn't be renewing his expiring contract, and started living his best life again.

Where Ambrose was shackled by WWE's wackiness, Moxley is a perfectly balanced bad*ss babyface. He makes you want to go out for a drink with him but never want to fight him. Mox is tough, but never to the point of corniness, and funny without ever reverting to the rodeo clown of old.

He could have been this in WWE (albeit without the deathmatches) had the company any idea how to book any vaguely funny wrestler as anything other than jesters.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.