10 Wrestlers Who Never Lived Up To Their Early Promise

6. Maxine

Mr. KENNEDY
WWE.com

Maxine, like Melina before her, was an innately detestable figure whose ability to garner heat should have seen her ascend the ranks beyond the endearing - but positively small-time - NXT: Redemption.

In turns disingenuous and outright offensive, Maxine's clinical submission-heavy in-ring repertoire set her apart from her peers. Her logical and believable match with Tamina Snuka on May 9, 2012 was an unheralded highlight, worlds apart critically from the dross served up by her main roster contemporaries - and almost as good, stylistically, as the similar, ****1/4 Wrestling Observer-rated Bayley Vs. Nia Jax from NXT: TakeOver London.

She was also a skilled comedic improviser; in one memorable backstage Redemption promo, she cut off a groaning, braying Kaitlyn with a brisk "Are you giving birth?"

Disenfranchised by WWE's political machinations and the career standstill at which she found herself, Maxine successfully sought her release in June 2012. A blink-and-you'll-miss-it TNA appearance followed, before she became a Lucha Underground regular in a manager role two years later.

One yearns for her to prop up the burgeoning Women's scene in WWE, but she by all accounts does not have the inclination.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!