10 WWE Champions That Didn’t Fit Vince McMahon’s Mold

1. Mick Foley

CM Punk
WWE.com

Mick Foley is the antithesis of what a WWE Superstar is supposed to look like. He was average in height, overweight, scarred up and missing an ear. Jim Ross had to sell McMahon on giving Foley a chance, arguing that his ability to absorb punishment, develop a character and tell a story was more valuable than his shabby appearance.

Perhaps disgusted by Foley’s face, McMahon assigned him a mask to wear as Mankind. But as time went on, and Foley proved to be a formidable opponent for Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, mastering his deranged, self-mutilating character, McMahon began to see the potential within the Hardcore Legend. His groundbreaking interview with Ross, which introduced the Dude Love character to the WWF, resonated with fans who realized they could live vicariously through the misfit.

Since then, Foley has become a three-time WWE Champion, bestselling author and WWE Hall of Famer.

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Formerly the assistant editor of Wrestledelphia, John has joined the Muthaship at WhatCulture.