10 Wrestlers You Won't Believe Almost Joined Major Stables
2. Dan Severn - Ministry Of Darkness
Dan Severn's WWE run wasn't all that long, but he's one of the most legitimate competitors to ever work for the company. An amateur wrestling standout, black belt in judo and jujitsu, and former UFC Superfight Champion, he's rightly considered among MMA's most important early pioneers, and worked this into his character after debuting as part of the 1998 NWA invasion angle.
Unfortunately, Vince McMahon didn't see the real-life badass that everyone else saw when they looked at Severn. He saw a man nicknamed 'The Beast,' and was hell-bent on reinventing him as a character true to this moniker. The proposal was that he'd turn into an animalistic Undertaker disciple, join the Ministry Of Darkness, and have "666" branded across his forehead ("the mark of 'The Beast,'" apparently).
Severn shot the idea down, but WWE tightened the screw, threatening to job Dan out. This didn't work: Severn knew that none of the company's stars could stop him if he "turned WWE's fantasy world into a reality," and threatened to shoot on his opponents if WWE booked him in such away. The company were forced to relent, and Dan was released from his contract shortly after, citing this bizarre idea as the main reason for his departure.