10. Robbie E's TNA Hiring Was Complete Coincidence
A former 2-time TNA Tag-Team Champion, Robbie E has also held the TNA Television and X-Division Titles once during his tenure with the promotion. Exactly none of those championship reigns would have happened if it wasn't for a chance encounter. In the Summer of 2010, Robert Strauss was readying himself for a tryout match with the company against Bobby Fish. Backstage, Pat Kenney (Simon Diamond of the original ECW fame) was having a quiet word with his fellow New Jersey native. Robbie E was born in New Jersey, whereas Kenney now calls the state his home. Having known one another for years, the pair were catching up and discussing what Robbie could do in TNA. At that exact moment, Vince Russo happened to stroll past. Kenney remembered that Russo was interested in launching a character based on the popular 'Jersey Shore' show. Piping up, he mentioned that Robbie would be perfect. Taking one look at the fledgling young star, Russo encouraged him to spike up his hair and show him what he had during his tryout match. Originally, TNA officials had been more interested in Fish, but Robbie E's gusto during his performance won them over.