10 WWE Stars Who Managed To Shake Off The 'TNA Stink'

A generation of wrestling fans will never forget the days of online buzz and excitement surrounding videos featuring independent wrestlers such as CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Amazing Red, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Chris Hero, and AJ Styles. Upon each new match that was viewed, the buzz around these performers only intensified. But still, there was always doubt over whether these fledgling talents would ever make it to the bright lights of WWE.

In the case of CM Punk, he looked like the furthest thing imaginable from what Vince McMahon traditionally looked for in a talent back during those days. As such, Ring of Honor and TNA looked like it might be as good as it ever got for the 'Second City Saint.'

Of course, we all know that Punk would indeed end up in WWE by 2005 and, after his fair share of ups and downs (hey, Simon Miller!), would go on to make himself the hottest star in the industry for a spell. For a year though, Punk was performing in TNA as part of Raven's Flock knock-off, the Gathering. And if it wasn't for the shocking Rob Feinstein controversy, the 'Straight Edge Superstar's time in TNA would have continued on past March 2004.