15 MORE Failed Experiments From WWE Developmental
13. Marcus Louis Goes Bald And Goes Mad
NXT was extremely close to perfect during it's 2014-16 golden era, but even in an almost-perfect wrestling world, not every single character can get over as a massive star. That's not to say wrestlers can't still fulfil important roles of course, but if there comes time for a sacrifice of some description, expect these ones - the not-quite-tippy-top guys - to pay the penalty.
That's what the transformation of former Legionnaires tag wrestler Marcus Louis was forced to face following a loss to Enzo Amore during a feud between the pair about looks, hair and the latter's entire loudmouth aesthetic. It wasn't just the top of his head and eyebrows that suffered the consequences either - the cartoonish "hair removal cream" robbed him of his follicles and any kind of push.
He was booked to go insane in-part due to how he looked, a la Kane and/or Gene Snitsky during the mid-2000s main roster doldrums. He turned on partner Sylvester Lefort and feuded with Tyler Breeze at the end of 2014, but came out on the short end of everything he was involved in and entered the brand's hottest year as just about the only television regular without any discernible momentum.
The pattern continued, leading ultimately to a 2016 release that happened - as opposed to just about every story surrounding NXT at the time - almost completely free of any fanfare.