15 WWE Pushes That IMMEDIATELY Backfired

Few could point the finger of blame at WWE for trying to extend The Undertaker's reach. After all, he'd been one of the most successful characters of all time in his own right, and 'Taker had even opened the door for the offshoot Kane gimmick. Maybe, just maybe, they could make more magic with 'The Deadman' and give somebody else a push off the back of his star power.

Or not.

In 2004, vignettes began airing for Mordecai. They were very Undertaker-y, but with a twist. Instead of hiding in shadowy darkness, big Mord basked in harsh white light. In effect, he was a lighter version of 'Taker, and WWE went overboard trying to push that he was here to cleanse the company from sin. This, in theory, should've let to 'Darkness vs. Light' (albeit with Mordecai surely in the heel role).

Undertaker had just returned to the classic supernatural gimmick himself, so it made sense, but then Mordecai wrestled Scotty 2 Hotty at Judgment Day '04 and all bets were off. The match was a flat affair, one so nondescript and dull that WWE quickly lost interest in pushing their new creation. Honestly, did anybody stop to think about the nuances of pushes/characters like this before introducing them? It was flinging stuff at walls to see what might stick, then giving up at the first hurdle if everything didn't run smoothly.

Mordecai turned from possible-Undertaker rival to big, clumsy guy who needed to go back down to developmental for a bit more work. It happened fast. Like, lasted 3 months fast.