10 Wrestlers Who Regretted Jumping Ship
Sometimes, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.
While the Monday Night War has long since ended, the wrestling world is still divided.
On one side sits WWE, a global juggernaut that has seduced the mainstream consciousness into associating its brand as the genre, a la Kleenex or Xerox. On the other side lie many promotions struggling to claim that No. 2 spot – New Japan, Ring of Honor, Global Force Wrestling, and Lucha Underground. Through much of the 21st century, Global Force/TNA was recognized as the second biggest promotion, even acquiring talent from WWE like Christian and Kurt Angle.
The tide has now turned; WWE’s roster includes TNA’s staples like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode. It was a risk for those performers to jump ship, because Vince McMahon has traditionally soured on stars not created by the WWE machine. Many WCW, ECW and TNA performers have been the victim of McMahon’s close-minded view, in which he devalues any achievements not attained under the WWE umbrella. As a result, their characters are overhauled to fit his image, and oftentimes, their careers have suffered. It’s not solely a McMahon trait, though: other promoters have struggled to capitalize on the momentum of popular incoming competitors.
Unfortunately, these wrestlers have learned that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
10. Monty Brown
At one time, the Alpha Male was pegged as the next big thing in pro wrestling. With a pro football background and unlimited charisma, Monty Brown naturally transitioned to the squared circle, where he developed an exciting finisher and fun catchphrase. Brown had all the tools necessary to become TNA’s biggest homegrown star.
However, management fumbled his direction, turning him heel when he should have been Jeff Jarrett’s arch rival. The damage had been done. Brown decided to try WWE when his contract expired.
Debuting on the ECW brand in January 2007, Brown’s name was changed to Marquis Cor Von, as part of WWE’s effort to trademark all characters. Later changed to Marcus, the name strayed from Brown’s simplicity, evoking a sophisticated German or French presence instead. He was thrown into the short-lived New Breed stable, never having the chance to stand on his own.
Six months into his WWE run, he requested time off for family issues and never returned.