9 Indie Stars Who Didn't Catch On In WWE
Not everyone reaches their potential on the biggest stage.
What a wonderful world we currently find ourselves living in. Kevin Steen is the WWE Universal Champion, pinning Tyler Black for the title after Prince Devitt was forced to vacate it. Jon Moxley and AJ Styles are about to go one-on-one for the WWE World Championship, whilst Shinsuke Nakamura just beat Samoa Joe for the company's developmental title on a show where Austin Aries and KENTA are feuding.
A decade ago such happenings were practically unthinkable. WWE still had a certain amount of paranoia about its place in the wrestling business, so isolationism was the keyword as the company looked to create its own stars rather than looking to those plying their trade outside the company. This led to some dark times in hindsight, as PPV slots were taken up by the likes of Rene Dupree, Heidenreich and Snitsky.
Times have changed however, and barely a month goes by without rumours of yet more arrivals from what is considered the pro wrestling independent scene. In truth that phrase is fairly misleading, as what people mean when they say it is 'non WWE promotions'.
Not every arrival is a success however, and there have been a number over the years who didn't quite catch on with the WWE Universe. Here are 9 such names.