8 WWE Stars Who Worked (By Not Working)

5. The Honky Tonk Man

Believe it or not, the Elvis Presley impersonating Honky Tonk Man was supposed to be a babyface hit when he joined the WWF and started crooning his way onto shows in 1986. After fans didn't respond positively to the dancing fool, the WWF even shot some promos asking for a 'Vote Of Confidence' (basically quizzing the audience on whether they wanted to cheer or boo Honky).

Looking at Honky's natural affinity for playing heel means it's hardly surprising he and the fans settled on that. Much more comfortable as a cowardly bad guy who somehow managed to escape matches as the victor, the suspect singer character Honky worked, received scathing heat.

The audience turned on The Honky Tonk Man, not the other way around. Rejigging him as an arrogant artist who was way in over his head against the babyfaces of the day was a master stroke and led to a lengthy spell as WWF Intercontinental Champion.

It's hard to envision Honky winning any titles as a babyface, so his cunning switch from babyface to heel must be considered a success even if it wasn't what the WWF had in mind for him initially.