8 Amazing Wrestlers That Flopped In WWE's Attitude Era

'Dr. Death' Steve Williams was brought into WWE by Jim Ross, and there were talks of an immediate huge push for the former WCW and All Japan hard man. What looked to be a dream new beginning for Williams quickly turned into a nightmare - one of Vince Russo's worst-ever ideas took out Death's potential in one fell swoop.

The 'Brawl For All' was a shoot-fighting tournament designed to get people talking. Mixing boxing, MMA, and pro wrestling, WWE stars would come to the ring wearing boxing gloves and literally shoot fight their opponents inside WWE rings. 'Dr Death' had a well-earned reputation for being one of the toughest guys in the pro wrestling world, but this perception came crashing down on the 27 July 1998 episode of Raw.

In the tournament's second round, New Midnight Express member Bart Gunn ('Bodacious' as he was) ripped Williams' quad in a takedown and then knocked him out in front of the world.

Prior to this tournament, 'Dr. Death' was due to be booked as one of the 'Attitude Era's' biggest monsters, and a feud with Steve Austin was even pitched behind the scenes by JR. After this disastrous knockout and hamstring tear put him on the shelf for months, and with his image as a beast in tatters, Williams was now a dead man walking.

They attempted to get him over with Ross as his manager in feuds with Bob Holly and Tiger Ali Singh, but he was let go by WWE in March 1999. Yes, less than a full year after signing with them.

What other amazing workers flopped hard during WWE's cherished 'Attitude Era'? For more wrestling, check out One Moment WWE Wants You To Forget From Every Year (1985 to 2026) and WWE 2K26: 15 CAWs You Must Download Immediately!