WWE’s success has always been characterized by ruthless acquisition. Whether it’s Vince McMahon buying up his competition or the more current phenomena of stripping the indies of their finest talent, the corporation is the most significant player in the game. Mostly, if they want a wrestler, they’ll take that wrestler.
Less frequently, though, WWE will create a celebrity from nothing. This might be a heritage act that the promotion is prepared to invest time in, a pro-wrestling-trained athlete from another sport, or just somebody with clear star potential.
Even with the Performance Centre, it’s still somewhat rare for a performer to go from zero to hero without any outside assistance, but when WWE does take the time to create a star from scratch, it can have significant rewards.
These custom performers have more than paid back the company’s investment, going from dependable, long-term hands to performers supporting the firm for years to come. With the current restructuring of NXT, it’s possible that we’ll witness more entirely domestic stars in the years to come; in that case, these performances set the bar for achievement.
1. Kurt Angle
It almost turned out tragically wrong. Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle visited ECW in 1996. Any budding plans to give professional wrestling a shot were swiftly dashed when he saw Raven crucify Sandman. Kurt concluded that it wasn’t for him.
But eventually, WWE persuaded him to try out their more wholesome enterprise, and from then on, a legend was created. After more than a year of development, Angle broke through and showed an incredible knack for the industry. He could certainly work the ring, but what truly struck out were his charisma, mic skills, and psychological insight.
Angle’s persona was quietly changed right away; instead of being a babyface going on about American values, he became an obnoxious, pushy heel, even though he was still selling the same things. As a result, in WWE and later in TNA, a body of work can compete with anyone. WWE realized when they had a good thing, so they didn’t have to spend a lot of money to make Angle one of the all-time greats.
2. Charlotte Flair
If Trish Stratus’ timing was terrible, Charlotte Flair’s career launch could not have come at a better time. Charlotte is everything David wasn’t: athletic, imposing, and a natural. In contrast to Ric Flair’s children, who have had varying degrees of success following in their father’s footsteps.
When a revolution in the women’s division was starting to take hold, Charlotte made her debut in NXT. She had the ideal environment to hone her craft because she was rubbing elbows with people like Lynch, Banks, Bayley, Natalya, and Paige, in front of appreciative crowds and under excellent instruction. WWE paid attention and how.
Although there is substance to the criticism that Charlotte has a heavy booking compared to some of her peers, it is not surprising that the office frequently turns to her. She just gets it, combining the most remarkable traits of her father’s haughty conceit with a steely, cutthroat overachiever. Even though Flair is one of the most well-rounded talents in the industry right now, it’s difficult to argue that her confidence is anything other than well-earned.
3. Roman Reigns
The Tribal Chief is an example of a dynasty Samoan who didn’t immediately strike up a connection with the audience. Although Reigns is an FCW/NXT product and possibly the company’s best example of the effectiveness of its developmental system to date, things haven’t always gone well.
Reigns achieved recognition as part of The Shield, alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. Reigns were created for WWE, and the fans knew it, but the latter two were independent guys with lengthy histories. The hulking corporation man would always receive the push when the band split up, which resulted in widespread fan apathy.
To make things better, a pandemic has to occur. Roman took some time off to focus on his health and his family before finally making a comeback as a heel months later. The aggressive, vicious, swaggering Reigns we’ve had since has been a stroke of genius; every action he takes feels noteworthy, and the longer he retains the belts, the more his standing as the best guy grows.
Absolute jerk Roman is not what WWE had in mind for their passion project, but they should be commended for sticking with it. They have created not just a true megastar but also a monumental moment when he is eventually overthrown.
4. Bianca Belair
There have been plenty of stars in WWE history whom the company have always seen as destined for the top. As we’ll discuss, this doesn’t always work; when the hand of the booker is felt too firmly, it can cause fans to revolt and reject the purported next big thing.
With Bianca Belair, though, things could hardly have gone better. Belair provided her information to WWE’s prospects database and was swiftly noticed and tapped up by Mark Henry.
The accomplished track and field athlete had the physical credentials, but Belair’s ability to connect on the mic and in the details has made her one of the fastest-rising stars of recent years. She’s a proper, organic babyface, humble and family-friendly but not the least bit lame because she feels entirely legitimate.
What’s more, she’s only getting better. Her two bouts with Becky Lynch this year are among WWE’s best matches, the fans are buying into everything, and she doesn’t seem near her ceiling.
5. The Rock
Speaking of some topics, Pat Patterson introduced Dwayne, a wrestler of the third generation, to the industry in 1996. He felt unbeatable since he had the physique, athleticism, and pedigree. Which makes it all the more impressive that WWE almost destroyed him.
Fans rejected Rocky Maiva after dressing him in garish colours and giving him the gimmick of a “young man who grins a lot.” However, following an injury in 1997, he made a comeback as the charismatic smack-talker The Rock, and you are probably familiar with the following events.
Even when things didn’t start well, WWE had complete faith in The Rock as a performer. It’s a credit to the performer’s adaptability and the office’s willingness to try something novel in believing they were onto something worthwhile.
Although The Rock was as green as grass in his early PPV battles due to his lack of experience, neither he nor WWE wanted The Rock to be anything less than a huge success.
6. The Miz
It would be an understatement to say that Mike “The Miz” Mizanin exceeded all expectations. Mizanin’s story is a textbook example of contemporary wrestling; after briefly being well-known on the reality series The Real World, he moved on to the first season of WWE’s Tough Enough.
Although Miz came in second, she was transferred to developmental because of her obvious talent for the industry. His progress since then has been, if not meteoric, then remarkably steady, and it is obvious that this is the consequence of genuine effort and determination.
Miz struggled through a career that lasted almost 20 years before achieving dozens of championships, a few legitimately incredible bouts and angles, and a WrestleMania headline spot after being hazed out of locker rooms and rejected by his peers (which admittedly was probably a mistake). But more importantly, Miz has been a priceless asset to the media juggernaut of WWE.
The man is a total pro, moulded in their image to market the product on morning TV, Dancing With The Stars, movies, and more. He is their go-to for publicity outside of wrestling. Is he a ring innovator or one of many fans’ favourite wrestlers? No, not really. But he is necessary for the eyes of the WWE establishment.
7. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is as close as it gets to a guaranteed thing in wrestling if such a thing even exists. Scouted from the amateurs after winning the NCAA Division I championship, WWE broke the bank to pick up this untested rookie with only a passing interest in sports entertainment. Simply put, it was profitable.
Lesnar and Shelton Benjamin, a friend and fellow amateur, worked in OVW in a very Olympic manner. Brock’s standard move set was helpful when he was promoted to the main roster, but his unwavering confidence was much more crucial.
Lesnar arrived at the dance feeling that he belonged, just like a guy of his height, and he quickly rose to the top. Then, he abandoned it to pursue football (failed) and UFC combat (very successfully). He had a new, more menacing aura when he made a comeback in 2012, but WWE’s quick booking made him a legend.
He ended the streak, crushed John Cena at SummerSlam 2014, actually busted Randy Orton open and developed a brand-new, extremely explosive style that was unimaginably exciting at its most thrilling. The fans didn’t always find it amusing to watch, but wrestling has rarely been less laborious.
8. D’Lo Brown
D’Lo Brown, who primarily made his WWE appearance during the Attitude Era, was never going to be the most recognizable character. Given his position on the roster and his relative understatement compared to Austin, Taker, and the rest, Brown tended to blend into the background, with the occasional midcard belt pursuit.
But in a way, that was the whole point. D’Lo was the definition of a good hand; he could be counted on to make a decent match with anyone, which was crucial when WWE’s TV commitments were only increasing.
While WWE never made extensive use of Brown, other organizations took note of his skills and value. Perhaps his best run occurred during the early years of NWA TNA when D’Lo was teamed with the rising AJ Styles, first as an ally and eventually a foe. The two put on some excellent bouts that gave the business a boost.
Over the years, D’Lo joined and left TNA and WWE, most recently working backstage in the latter. Even if he didn’t demonstrate the technical prowess generally associated with the term, the man is a wrestler’s wrestler and is highly regarded and appreciated by his contemporaries.
9. Randy Orton
Many kids of renowned wrestlers haven’t achieved much in the sport, so being a second or third-generation superstar isn’t a guarantee that you’ll succeed. The only thing it does for you give you a foot in the door; the rest is mostly up to you.
On the other hand, Randy Orton is currently one of the true superstars of the century. Cowboy Bob Orton was a very good heel. He came to OVW at the perfect time, learning his trade alongside John Cena, Shelton Benjamin, and others. One look would tell you that he was made for the profession.
When Orton made his main roster debut, he was under pressure and was expected to do well, and for the most part, he did. He was well-versed in the industry and picked up all he could from legends like Mick Foley and Ric Flair. Although Orton’s ascent to the top wasn’t without its bumps—a poorly timed babyface run early on, for instance—he swiftly established himself as a cornerstone of the business.
It’s incredible that 20 years after his debut, he is essentially hotter than ever. With Riddle by his side, Orton has adapted to the position of an experienced veteran. Even though he is on the long-term injured list, he will return more prominent than before.
10. Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus, who is now a Hall of Famer and an iconic WWE character, could not have entered the wrestling business at a more challenging period. She was discovered by the business while working as a fitness model and was hired to add some glitz and glamour to Test and Albert’s crew.
She swiftly made her way into a grand narrative involving the McMahons and far exceeded expectations with her presence and mic skills. The story ended with the unflattering scene of Vince making her yelp like a dog.
Then, she turned to wrestle in earnest. Stratus made a name for itself as the top player on the women’s roster in the period of bras, panties, and Jerry Lawler at his horn hound worst on commentary. She made every effort to bring up survivors like Molly Holly, Lita, Victoria, and Mickie James if there weren’t many bodies around.
Most endearingly, she was able to show off her skills against Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2019 thanks to maintaining a superb level of fitness and staying current. Despite not being employed as a wrestler, it is unquestionably how people will remember her.
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