9 Wrestlers Who Vanished Off The Face Of The Earth

8. Hade Vansen

Blitzkrieg WCW
WWE

In one of the stranger WWE developmental stories - and think of the ground that covers - Hade Vansen was plucked from total obscurity to challenge the Undertaker and was promptly released weeks after the deal was unceremoniously binned off.

In the pro wrestling equivalent of Ali Dia convinces Graeme Souness to sign him, the story differs depending on who you speak to. Vansen himself claims that he has to form a stable of mutants that 'Taker would tear through before battling Vansen as the final boss at WrestleMania, where former creative writer Freddie Prinze, Jr. claims that Hansen was only ever meant to be a one and done TV opponent.

Of course, being a vaguely supernatural guy - by extension of challenging the Undertaker - there are still people on certain websites insistent that this could have been just great, and it not happening represents a great lost opportunity.

"extremely Steve Austin voice*

What's your favourite Hade Vansen match?

Vansen never made it after that, and, per quotes from Greg Lambert's Holy Grail: The True Story of British Wrestling's Revival, is happy doing a spot of acting and sh*gging in LA.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!