10 Wrestlers WWE Pushed Way Over Their Heads
8. Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley has developed into a tremendous professional wrestler in 2017. He has been one of TNA's biggest highlights for years, delivering excellent matches against a wide variety of opponents, and refining his authentic 'Walking Armageddon' gimmick into one of the most compelling in the company. Unfortunately, many fans only remember him for his shoddy WWE work, and that does him a great disservice.
Lashley had the rocket strapped to him in 2005. Introduced as an amateur wrestling standout, he looked like an Adonis from day one, which explains why Vince McMahon pushed him so hard. He was one of the Chairman's hand-picked prospects, and he surged, quickly capturing the United States Title, before moving to the ECW brand and becoming that show's top champion (a move that apparently prompted Paul Heyman to resign).
He played a big role in the turgid Vince McMahon vs. Donald Trump storyline, then left Raw the pursue the WWE Championship in 2007. Unfortunately, Lashley's popularity had greatly diminished by this point. He was green, awkward, and uncharismatic, and the fans couldn't buy into him as a force. He eventually suffered a nasty injury at The Great American bash, sat out for six months, then was quietly released in February 2008.