10 Wrestlers WWE Gave Up On In 2019

by Andy H Murray

1. Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston disappointedq
WWE

KofiMania was your writer's favourite main roster storyline of 2019.

A natural, organic coming-of-age tale, it was a great example of WWE stepping away from their usual remit to listen to what the fans wanted from the product bearing fruit. Kingston was the most over guy on the roster as the company sped towards WrestleMania 35. He was popular as f*ck, his efforts were popular as f*ck, and WWE spun it perfectly, leading to the ultimate emotional climax against Daniel Bryan.

It's unfortunate, then, that the WWE Championship reign that followed didn't deliver the same satisfaction. Kofi kept working hard but underdelivered between the ropes. While their presentation didn't help, it's hard to view his bouts with Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Samoa Joe, and Randy Orton as anything other than letdowns after the awesome story that took him to the top of the mountain.

The chase was incredible. The reign? Not so much.

Brock Lesnar ending Kingston's lengthy reign with a seven-second squash on SmackDown's FOX debut was the moment the company gave up on him as a main-eventer. It was a long run, but not a particularly effective one, and he may never come close to another again.

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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.