10 WWE Wrestlers Who Had To Swallow Their Pride

If you are a WWE employee and have more muscles than hair follicles, the chances are you're about to be shortlisted for a Vince McMahon-inspired mega push.

That's the position that NXT talent swatter, Lars Sullivan found himself in upon landing on the main roster shows.

Culling off the likes of Kurt Angle, The Hardy Boyz and the Lucha House Party, it was clear that Sullivan was being positioned as McMahon's new big baddie.

What the boss didn't factor into his plans for Sullivan, was his new monster's history of toxic posts on social media. Showcasing all kinds of misogyny, homophobia and racism, Sullivan had to now wear - as The New Day member, Big E, put it - the 'albatross' of being associated with those quotes around his neck.

Sullivan released a statement after the comments were brought to public knowledge, stating that there was 'no excuse for the inappropriate remarks (he) made years ago' and he was also fined $100,000 by WWE.

It was the right thing to do - apologizing to 'anyone (he) offended' - but you can't help but wonder if he would have gone out of his way to beg for forgiveness, if he wasn't exposed in the way he was and if his job wasn't at risk by ignoring the controversy.