7 Famous WWE Gimmicks Originally Intended For Other Superstars

2. 'The Heartbreak Kid' - Shane Douglas

The Franchise could well have been The Heartbreak Kid. Let that sink in. The legend goes that Vince McMahon saw the gimmick as more of a rock star/heart throb/David Cassidy type, and Shane Douglas had that look and personality at the time.

Douglas was all set for a huge push in the role but his father unfortunately took ill, so he took time off, allowing Shawn Michaels to swoop in and take the baton. A number of rumours surfaced about Douglas wanting to leave the wrestling business and attend medical school, leading to his release in 1991.

Douglas never did attend medical school and is still in the professional wrestling business today. Vince, presumably, felt lied to and punished Douglas. Shane would return to WWE in 1995 as Dean Douglas, a college dean that would 'teach' wrestlers and fans about the craft. This gimmick would last less than a year.