10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (August 23)

2. Kofi Kingston Almost Had His 'Shockmaster Moment'

The year is 2019. 'Uncle Kofi' comes out for his latest bumbling comedy segment on SmackDown and his promo plays before diminishing returns. Online, upset fans pour onto social media and lament what could've been for the once-bright young star's career had he not slipped on paint when atop Randy Orton's NASCAR a decade before.

Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? The thing is, it was closer to being reality than some might imagine.

Kofi told Fightful that he lost his footing when he was smashing up Orton's gift from Ted DiBiase Jr and Cody Rhodes backstage on Raw. As soon as he regained it, he sighed with relief and realised how close he'd come to becoming the 'next Shockmaster'. Had he slipped onto the paint, he would've looked like a moron, and he knew it.

Back then, Kingston couldn't have known that it'd take him around 10 years to hit the big time and become WWE Champion. He was moving up the card fast in 2009, but his momentum slowed towards the end of his feud with Randy for "Stupid" reasons.