7 Famous WWE Gimmicks Originally Intended For Other Superstars
3. Vader - The Ultimate Warrior
The history of WWE could have been very different if New Japan Pro Wrestling had got their way. NJPW wanted to create a fresh foreign star. They had the name, Big Van Vader, and they had the manager, Takeshi Kitano a.k.a. Beat Takeshi from Takeshi's Castle.
The only problem left was that they needed a suitable body to fill the Vader role. They had made their interest in the Dingo Warrior, otherwise known as Jim Hellwig, very clear but would have their offer rejected as the Dingo joined the World Wrestling Federation becoming their Ultimate Warrior.
Instead, NJPW were forced to go on to their second choice for the Big Van Vader character who was then AWA's Leon White. In hindsight, everything worked out best for all parties.