10 Wrestlers WWE Realised Weren't 'The Man'

3. Mr. Kennedy

Ken Kennedy Money in the Bank
WWE.com

You don't get a ring name that's Vince McMahon's real middle name unless he has huge plans for you.

The future Mr. Anderson was dubbed Mr. Kennedy in 2005, and the company set about the task of turning him into its next obnoxious heel who could wind everyone up, take a kicking and come back for more. Things looked good for a while, then Kennedy's biggest angle (being outed as Vince's illegitimate son) was nixed by a combo of injuries and Wellness Policy violations.

By 2007, WWE had soured on their once-beloved loudmouth. Suddenly, Kennedy wasn't quite the darling of internet fans and corporate board-room creative minds alike - he was a flagging nuisance who some probably wanted an excuse to get rid of. They'd get that following a comeback match on Raw in 2009.

There, Kennedy may/may not have hurt Randy Orton during a routine back suplex spot. Irrespective of the truth, his name was mud after that and McMahon coldly released him from contract. He'd apparently decided that the slick, self-introing worker wasn't ever going to make it.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.