2. Bradshaw Became JBL
If there was ever an example of what a new name and gimmick can do for you, this is it. Bradshaw came to the WWE in 1996, and looked impressive from the start, his size and athleticism were clear to see and there was never any doubt that Bradshaw was going places in future. However Bradshaw was not destined for individual stardom right away, he would be part of The New Blackjacks with Barry Windham and then eventually be one half of the Acolytes/ APA. APA were a very successful tag team, a long with Faarooq formerly known as Ron Simmons he would win the tag team titles on three separate occasions. Bradshaw's other accomplishments were the runner up in the brawl for all tournament, although if you look what happened to Bart Gunn you could call Bradshaw the winner. Bradshaw also won the Hardcore Championship on sixteen different occasions. Bradshaw would go on to change his name to John Bradshaw Layfield, a snobbish broker from Wall Street. JBL played the quintessential bad guy and gained much success in his role. He would find championship success too winning the WWE title from the late Eddie Guerrero in a Texas bull rope match. He would go on to have a nine month title reign with feuds and matches including The Undertaker and Eddie Guerrero. He would eventually lose his title to John Cena. As JBL he also won the United States title and the Intercontinental championship. JBL would bow out at the top retiring announcing his retired at Wrestlemania XXV. He is currently a permanent fixture on the announcing table for both Raw and Smackdown.