10 Wrestlers Who Have Hit The Glass Ceiling In WWE

5. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe is WWE's Hirooki Goto.

Goto is a bruising, tooth-rattling beef-slapper of a wrestler who fights with murderous intent, fits NJPW's Strong Style ethos, and whose biggest bouts usually draw widespread critical acclaim. He's also 0-8 in IWGP Heavyweight Title matches. Meanwhile, Joe might not be on Goto's level in the ring anymore, but he's a world-class promo and character who projects menace like few others in WWE's Sports Entertainment environment. He's 0-9 in Universal and WWE Championship matches.

These guys are bridesmaids. They'll catch the bouquet when the bride throws it over their shoulder but their own big day will never come, with advancing beyond their current level an impossibility.

Joe is such a convincing personality that he's usually able to draw enough heat to deflect any "loser" accusations, though really, if we're talking big matches, that's what he is. Nonetheless, Hirooki Joeto is a good place for him to be at this stage in his career. If WWE were ever going to pull the trigger on him, it would've been when he was red hot heading into Great Balls Of Fire, and making a solid living as a threatening upper-midcard heel is a good spot for a 19-year veteran in physical decline.