The professional wrestling world is filled with long-term storylines that captivate audiences for months… even years. But what happens when creative forces, backstage drama, injuries, or sudden departures cut narratives short just as they reach peak potential? From main event pushes derailed by contract disputes to mysterious angles that vanished without explanation, these twenty-five unfinished tales represent wrestling’s greatest "what if" moments and left fans forever wondering what could have been.
1. Jake Roberts Heel Turn and Lost Push (1991 – 1992)
The Undertaker gains the upper hand against Jake the Snake Roberts in what would be Jake’s final feud during his Golden Era run in the WWF. Photo Credit: WWE.
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Jake "The Snake" Roberts’ heel turn in 1991 remains one of WWE’s most memorable character shifts, showcasing his chilling promos and psychological intensity.
Originally, Roberts was set to have a high-profile feud with The Ultimate Warrior, highlighted by a groundbreaking series of vignettes where Roberts would help Warrior confront his fears, an innovative storyline that promised to elevate both men.
However, the storyline abruptly collapsed when Ultimate Warrior left WWE after a contract dispute following SummerSlam 1991, reportedly holding Vince McMahon up for a large sum and then being fired.
This sudden exit forced WWE to scrap the planned Roberts-Warrior feud, leaving Jake without his anticipated big push.
Instead, Roberts was redirected to work with Macho Man Randy Savage in a short but memorable feud. Despite being built into the company’s top heel, his run was abruptly cut short at WrestleMania VIII when his former ally, the Undertaker, defeated him.
This was due to Jake Roberts requesting a release from his contract in response to disputes and perceived betrayals from Vince McMahon.
"Pat Patterson had stepped down, or so I thought. I had been promised Pat Patterson’s job. So, when this went down, I’m like, ‘Okay, cool. I got the job now. I can get off the road.’”
Roberts continued, “I was wanting to get into the booking end of things, and TV. So I was very excited about it. But [I] talk to Vince, and Vince said that, ‘Out of respect for Pat Patterson, we won’t fill his position.’ Yeah, very frustrated, very angry. I should have handled it better. The bottom line is, I should have never left."
2. Bret Hart’s First WWE Championship Reign (1992 – 1993)
Bret Hart in an official WWF promo picture taken during his first World Title reign in late 1992. Never did the Hitman smile more than during these initial few months as World Champion. Photo Credit: WWE.
His reign marked WWE’s shift toward a more athletic, technically skilled "New Generation" of stars. Hart defended the title against major challengers and was positioned as a cornerstone of WWE’s future.
On an episode of The Ringer Wrestling podcast, Bret recounted his feelings on being told his title reign was ending.
"I’ll be honest. My whole relationship with Vince was never the same. I could never really take him at his word anymore. As far as integrity and honesty, I never felt that Vince was honest with me after that. It’s all about trust and respect, and Vince broke that trust. Hogan never had any respect for me. I think words speak for themselves. They’re not talking about Hulk Hogan today.”
The plan was for Hart to enter into a high-profile feud with Hulk Hogan afterward, but that storyline never materialized, largely because Hogan’s title run was short-lived and he soon left the company. This unfortunately derailed much of the momentum and build behind Bret Hart during this time.
Bret would eventually regain the WWE Championship later, winning it back at WrestleMania X in 1994, cementing his legacy as the top performer of this time period.
3. Waylon Mercy (1995)
Waylon Mercy was an uncomfortable presence in his short time in the WWF in 1995, demonstrating immense potential had Dan Spivey’s body been able to go a bit further. Much of this character laid the groundwork for what would become the early incarnation of Bray Wyatt decades later. Photo Credit: WWE.
Waylon Mercy was a unique and unsettling character introduced by WWE in 1996, inspired by Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Max Cady in Cape Fear.
Portrayed by Dan Spivey, Mercy’s calm yet menacing demeanor and psychological tactics made him stand out from the typical wrestling personas of the era.
WWE hoped the character would develop into a top-tier heel, capable of engaging fans with intense storytelling and suspenseful matches.
Unfortunately, Waylon Mercy’s push was cut short after just a few months due to Spivey’s ongoing injuries and physical limitations. Despite his compelling character work and initial momentum, Mercy was unable to sustain a long-term program in WWE.
The character was quietly dropped by late 1995, leaving fans intrigued but wanting more from one of the most creatively promising gimmicks that never fully flourished.
On an episode of Something to Wrestle With, Bruce Prichard recalled the concept of Waylon Mercy and Dan Spivey in 1995.
"If you’d have been able to take Dan Spivey ten years earlier, I think it would have been — take this same character and move it to 1985, he’d be working with Hogan, multiple times on top. That would have been one of those characters that would be forever ingrained in everyone’s memory.
“By this point, Danny was just so beat up that a lot of that gimmick was to disguise [the fact that] the athleticism wasn’t there anymore. His knees and back were just shot, and he was in a lot of pain. So the promos, it was all heavily character-driven. And a lot of that **** came out of Spivey’s head. So I mean, he really embraced the character and timing on it, again, ten years earlier? We’d be talking about all those Hogan/Waylon Mercy matches."
4. Razor Ramon vs. Goldust (1996)
Goldust and Razor Ramon do battle in a contest at the Royal Rumble 1996 in what would then-unknowingly become Scott Hall’s last major WWF appearance. The feud was unfortunately cut short as a result. Photo Credit: WWE.
The feud between Razor Ramon and Goldust in WWE during 1996 was poised to be a fascinating clash of contrasting personalities.
Their rivalry peaked at the Royal Rumble in 1996, where Goldust captured the title after Razor was unexpectedly attacked by his former partner, The 1–2–3 Kid. The feud was set to continue with a heated rematch – a Miami Street Fight scheduled for WrestleMania XII.
However, the storyline abruptly ended when Hall was suspended for six weeks due to substance-related issues. Reports at the time indicated that Hall had already given notice of his departure from WWE, planning to jump to WCW.
This suspension caused Hall to miss the WrestleMania rematch and sit out the remainder of his contract, forfeiting what would have been a lucrative payday.
Kevin Nash revealed in an episode of Kliq This that Scott Hall was uncomfortable with the feud from the start.
"He was very uncomfortable. They did the Goldust angle. He unzips his singlet, Goldust the character does, and there’s a heart, and on the heart, it says Razor.
“Scott’s son, Cody, was like five years old when that angle played. He came home and Cody said, ‘Dad, what does that mean?’ Scott, who wasn’t a homophobe, told Vince, ‘If I have to go home and explain this to my kid, ’ because you can’t just say, ‘Oh, well, you know, some men.’ You have to go into that whole, you know, and so Scott just said, ‘I don’t feel comfortable doing it.’ That’s all it was.
“It wasn’t that Scott was a homophobe. Scott just didn’t want to teach his five-year-old kid about homosexuality, where now it’s a different world."
Scott Hall briefly returned on WWE TV in April at In Your House 7 but lost to Vader, marking an underwhelming conclusion to what could have been a major rivalry.
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5. The Ultimate Warrior’s WWF Return (1996)
Triple H sends the Ultimate Warrior up against the ropes in their infamous encounter at WrestleMania XII where the Warrior soundly defeated Triple H in a matter of a few seconds, kicking out of the Pedigree and delivering an onslaught of offence in his return. Photo Credit: WWE.
After several years away from WWE, The Ultimate Warrior returned in April 1996 with a major push, immediately thrust into the spotlight.
He returned at WrestleMania XII with his iconic high-energy and intense persona, somewhat reigniting the excitement that made him a megastar in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Warrior was booked in prominent feuds against top stars like Goldust, but it never really went far.
Despite the initial momentum, Warrior’s 1996 run was plagued by backstage conflicts, including disagreements over creative direction and personal issues.
His unpredictable behavior behind the scenes reportedly created tension with management and other wrestlers, which, combined with inconsistent in-ring performances, led to his abrupt release in August 1996, just a few months after his return.
The rapid end to his comeback left storylines unresolved and disappointed fans who hoped Warrior could reclaim his spot as a major force in WWE.
In various shoot interviews and public comments, the Ultimate Warrior reflected on his 1996 WWF return with a mix of frustration, defiance, and sharp criticism of Vince McMahon and WWE’s creative direction at the time.
The Warrior has publicly said that Vince McMahon made creative and business promises before his 1996 return – specifically about merchandise, his character’s direction, and long-term plans – that were never kept. He felt McMahon misled him, and he returned expecting to be a top-tier star again, but WWE’s priorities had shifted.
6. Ahmed Johnson’s Rise (1995 – 1997)
A photo of Ahmed Johnson taken in 1996, when he was in peak form and on the verge of becoming the next great main eventer in the WWF. Unfortunately, in large part due to injuries, he would never amount to the top level that he was destined for early on in his WWF run. Photo Credit: WWE.
Ahmed Johnson emerged in the mid-1990s as one of the WWF’s most promising young stars, boasting a rare combination of size, athleticism, and charisma.
Positioned as a powerful babyface, he was quickly elevated into high-profile storylines, including a shot at the Intercontinental Championship and major feuds with top heels like Yokozuna and The Undertaker.
Fans and insiders alike saw him as a potential future cornerstone for the company’s next generation.
Unfortunately, Johnson’s momentum was repeatedly derailed by a series of injuries that forced him out of action multiple times.
These setbacks prevented him from sustaining a consistent push and disrupted key storylines, leaving his character development incomplete.
Despite flashes of brilliance in the ring, the frequent interruptions ultimately stalled what could have been a long-term main-event run, frustrating fans who had hoped to see Johnson reach his full potential.
During an episode of Something to Wrestle With, Bruce Prichard revealed that Ahmed Johnson was indeed considered a future world champion.
"We actually were looking at Ahmed possibly to be the champion. I think that there was enough there that we definitely could’ve pulled that off. It was an animal magnetism, man. It was raw, and it was genuine, the audience believed in him and looked at him as ‘this guy’s real’.”
Prichard continued, “I think that Ahmed was probably the number one person holding Ahmed back. Some guys can’t handle the spotlight. He believed the hype, and there was a lot of hype there to believe, but at some point, you have to deliver. I think that Ahmed – if his head was on right – would have been a megastar, much bigger than he ever was."
7. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 (1997)
Bret Hart holds Shawn Michaels in a chin lock during their 60-minute Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII, effectively bringing Bret Hart’s multi-year main event level run to an end. When he returned later that year, the Hitman would never quite carry himself the same way. Photo Credit: WWE.
After Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart in the iconic Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII, reports suggest WWE planned a rematch at WrestleMania 13 to continue the rivalry.
The highly anticipated sequel was expected to build on the drama and storytelling from their previous encounter, potentially solidifying their legacy as one of wrestling’s greatest rivalries. However, the rematch never came to fruition.
Reports differ on the reasons behind the cancellation. Some say the rematch was never officially booked, while others claim Michaels refused to lose to Bret Hart.
Instead, Michaels delivered one of the most unusual promos of his career, citing a knee injury and "losing his smile," which became a symbolic moment signaling his refusal to engage in the rematch.
Ultimately, Michaels and Hart’s next – and last – match didn’t happen until Survivor Series 1997, leaving fans disappointed that the WrestleMania 13 rematch was lost to backstage politics and creative roadblocks.
Bret Hart went into detail on the proposed WrestleMania 13 encounter at an Inside the Ropes event in 2016.
"I remember we talked about – my understanding was when I left that meeting that day was that I was gonna come back, and I was gonna have a bit of a chip on my shoulder towards Shawn, start ragging on him for not being a good role model, and then to – cause I remember watching him on TV and he’d pull his pants down and show his pubes and all that.”
Hart continued, “Being the ‘so-called’ hero babyface of the company, that’s not a good way to present yourself. I just remember sort of making note in my head, and the more I saw Shawn doing stuff like that, pulling his pants down and getting the kids dancing and all that in the ring, it’d be easy for me as a babyface to take exception to what Shawn was doing.
“I thought really what it was was a chance for me to make a storyline here with Shawn where I lost the title to him at WrestleMania 12 and I got a bit of a chip on my shoulder that I lost. The way the whole thing was set up was perfect for me to come back with a bit of an attitude about Shawn. What I had wanted to do was work a storyline with Shawn where I’d wrestle him at WrestleMania, we would have had a really good match."
8. Owen Hart Post-Montreal Screwjob (1997 – 1998)
Owen Hart in an official WWF promo shot demonstrating a new ‘Black Hart’ moniker following the Montreal Screwjob. Unfortunately, due to plans already in motion at the main event level, the organic support Owen Hart had that could have elevated him to greater heights at this time was never really explored. Photo Credit: WWE.
Owen Hart was widely regarded as one of the best performers in WWE history, inarguably one of the greatest to never hold the WWE Championship.
His talent and charisma kept him in the spotlight, even without the top title. Many fans and insiders believe that, had tragedy not struck at Over the Edge in 1999, Owen would have eventually reached the pinnacle of WWE by capturing the world title.
This storyline had strong emotional stakes, as it seemed Owen was seeking to avenge Bret’s betrayal and bring justice to WWE’s backstage politics. The angle resonated with fans and showed great promise, but, like many promising WWE storylines, it was abruptly dropped and never fully realized.
Owen Hart would fall into a story with Triple H and Chyna over the European Title and eventually found his way into the Nation of Domination later in 1998.
Owen’s post-Screwjob run remains a "what could have been" moment, underscoring his tragic loss and unfulfilled potential.
9. Kane’s 24-Hour WWF Championship Reign (1998)
Kane holds the WWF World Title on his shoulder the night after King of the Ring 1998. He was the first person to defeat Stone Cold Steve Austin at the peak of his popularity, despite having held the title for only 24 hours. Photo Credit: WWE.
Kane’s WWE Championship reign in 1998 was a dramatic and memorable moment that capped off his explosive debut at Badd Blood in October 1997.
Just months after Stone Cold Steve Austin won the title, Kane shocked fans by defeating him in a First Blood match at King of the Ring 1998, capturing the WWE Championship in a bold twist.
The title change set up an immediate rematch on Raw the very next night, where Kane agreed to use his voice box to communicate, a rare concession for the monstrous character. Stone Cold Steve Austin would defeat Kane in controversial fashion and regain the World Title to continue his trajectory as the company’s top name.
While quick title swaps were common during the fierce Monday Night Wars era, Kane’s brief reign marked WWE’s first major world title change designed to shake things up. Unfortunately, the swift loss somewhat undermined Kane’s aura of invincibility.
Had WWE committed to a longer championship run for Kane, he might have established himself as a more consistent main event player much earlier.
Instead, Kane had to wait over a decade for a substantial world title reign, finally capturing the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010.
On an episode of the Ross Report, Kane discussed his first WWE title reign.
"When people ask me the highlight of my [pro wrestling] career, despite the fact that it was so early, that was it because Austin was well on his trajectory to be one of the three biggest stars of all time. To me, it’s Austin, [Hulk] Hogan, and The Rock. And he was taking off, and I was right there. I lost [the title] the next night in Cleveland, and I will never forget the atmosphere at what was then the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
“You want to talk about electric, the excitement was tangible. I’d never been in front of a crowd like that. So as exciting as it was to win the world championship, it was even more exciting to lose it the next day because you realize you’re in the middle or a part of something so special and so amazing, which is what that was.
“That segment, up until that time, was the highest rated segment on RAW ever and from there, the show just went straight up, and, of course, Austin went straight up, too."
10. Ken Shamrock’s Main Event Run (1997 – 1999)
In late 1997, Ken Shamrock was involved in the main event title picture with Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and others, intervening here as Michaels gains the upper hand over Bret on an episode of WWF Raw is War. Photo Credit: WWE.
Ken Shamrock, known as "The World’s Most Dangerous Man," made a significant impact in WWE during the late 1990s with his legitimate mixed martial arts background and intense, no-nonsense persona.
After joining WWE in 1997, Shamrock quickly rose through the ranks, capitalizing on his UFC fame and gritty fighting style. His blend of shoot-style wrestling and submission tactics brought a new level of realism to WWE’s product, earning him credibility and fan interest.
Shamrock’s main event push peaked in 1997 and early 1998, where he challenged for the WWE Championship and engaged in high-profile feuds with Shawn Michaels and the Rock.
"The company’s got to depend on you if you’re carrying the strap, right? For me, I had a temper. I was wild. If I go up and I get that strap, can I represent the company properly? Am I going to lose my temper and beat somebody up severely and put them in the hospital? That’s not going to represent the company well.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes where, you know, I was an aggressive guy and I was violent. Being a wrestler sometimes, you know, you got to be able to control those things."
11. GTV (1999 – 2000)
The logo for GTV, a segment that would reoccur on WWF television in 1999 and 2000 with, unfortunately, no resolve or reveal as to who was behind these segments or where they were meant to lead. Photo Credit: WWE.
During the height of WWE’s Attitude Era, the mysterious GTV storyline teased viewers with a covert, hidden-camera angle that promised to expose backstage secrets and scandals.
The concept involved sneaky surveillance footage revealing behind-the-scenes drama among top WWE personalities, adding a new layer of intrigue and realism to the on-screen product. Fans eagerly awaited the big reveals, speculating on who was spying on whom and what explosive information would come to light.
However, despite the initial buzz, the GTV storyline was abruptly dropped without explanation. The footage never led to any major revelations, and the angle faded into obscurity within months.
Rumors suggest that legal concerns and the complexity of maintaining the storyline behind the scenes contributed to its sudden disappearance.
What started as an innovative and promising concept ended as one of WWE’s most puzzling unfinished stories, leaving fans wondering what could have been uncovered.
12. Rikishi’s Heel Turn (2000)
A photo taken of Rikishi during his heel turn in fall 2000. Despite initially instantly elevating Rikishi into the main event and redefining his character, the turn did not engage the audience as well as hoped, and his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin came to a premature end as Austin moved on to arguably bigger stars. Photo Credit: WWE.
This heel turn was a dramatic shift from Rikishi’s previous fan-favorite persona as the fun-loving, charismatic Samoan dancer. The revelation positioned Rikishi as a major villain, adding depth and intrigue to his character.
While the storyline created significant buzz and gave Rikishi a fresh edge, it also drew criticism for its implausibility and abruptness. Some fans and critics felt the turn was rushed and didn’t fully explore the motivations behind Rikishi’s actions.
Nonetheless, the angle elevated Rikishi’s status as a key player during this time.
Unfortunately, they didn’t capitalize. His feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin wrapped up relatively quickly, leaving some to wonder what a longer program could have achieved, and Rikishi lost his momentum in a matter of months.
On the WrestleSlam podcast, Rikishi revealed what it was like to be given the opportunity to be the WWE’s main bad guy.
"I wasn’t ready to be revealed as the person who was behind that, behind the wheel there because at the time I was doing Rikishi. After so many characters, you finally find one that sticks and I was a babyface, really just starting to catch fire.
During that time there, we were very slim pickings on a lot of heels so when the opportunity came up as far as switching over as the bad man, I kind of thought that was my time to be able to work with guys like Stone Cold, The Rock and a lot of the other babyfaces because you had so many of us."
13. Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) vs. Undertaker (2001)
Diamond Dallas Page reveals himself to be the man behind the stalker videos of the Undertaker’s wife on this episode of WWF Raw, effectively becoming the first major WCW star to make his mark in the pre-Invasion era. Photo Credit: WWE.
When WWE purchased WCW in 2001, Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) was among the few major WCW stars who jumped immediately to WWE, aiming to make a strong impression.
He debuted on Raw by revealing himself as the stalker of The Undertaker’s wife, Sara, setting up a personal and intense feud.
Their rivalry heated up with an unsanctioned brawl at King of the Ring, but then things sort of fizzled.
The heel reveal was poorly received by fans and failed to elevate DDP’s status. The chemistry wasn’t quite there, and there was seemingly a mismatch between the two characters who struggled to connect with this story.
However, the rivalry was cut short due to a significant injury Page sustained during the Steel Cage match at SummerSlam 2001. This injury forced him out of action until late October, halting his momentum altogether.
On an episode of the Broken Skull Sessions, DDP revealed his regrets with the Undertaker feud in 2001.
"It beat me down because that angle did nothing for my career. I wish I could have worked with ‘Take before that or after that, but because of the way it was… it was. The bottom line is it taught me when you have all this [money], you can’t be afraid to get up and walk away from the table. What ended up happening at the beginning of my career with WWE, not so good."
14. The Invasion Angle (2001)
At the WWF Invasion 2001 PPV, Stone Cold Steve Austin turns on the WWF and aligns himself with the Alliance, complicating and diluting the Invasion storyline to eventually lead it down a road where it was pure WWE storytelling with no WCW appeal whatsoever. Photo Credit: WWE.
When WWE purchased WCW in March 2001, fans anticipated a dream storyline years in the making – WWE vs. WCW, the ultimate battle for wrestling supremacy.
The eventual inclusion of ECW only raised the stakes, promising an all-out war between three major wrestling brands. The potential for legendary clashes between top stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Goldberg, Sting, and the nWo had fans buzzing with anticipation.
On paper, the WCW-WWE Invasion angle had everything needed to be the most iconic storyline in wrestling history.
To compensate, WWE stars like Austin and Kurt Angle were bizarrely inserted into the Alliance, muddying the storyline’s identity.
Creative rushed the angle into a Survivor Series elimination match just months later, wrapping the story without a satisfying payoff. What could have been the wrestling world’s version of Avengers: Endgame turned into one of its most frustrating missed opportunities.
On an episode of 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff, the former WCW head gave his take on why the Invasion angle failed and was ultimately concluded.
"There was an established WCW audience for several years prior to the acquisition. WCW was the dominant televised wrestling show in the country for a couple of years. In the head-to-head, all the boats – you know, our boat floated higher, so did WWE’s because of the war. We’ve talked about all that.
“But a certain number of people represented that brand,” Bischoff continued. “Sting. Hulk Hogan, we’ll put him in a category. He was off in his own category because he probably still represented WWE more than he really represented WCW, cause he spent more time there, right? So put Hulk and even Randy Savage off to the side, and you’ve got your core WCW talent.
“Ric Flair was much more closely associated with WCW than with WWE. Even though Ric spent some time in WWE, he’s a WCW guy. He’s an NWA guy. He’s that guy.
“[Lex] Luger, the Steiner Brothers, so many, you can just run down the top 15 people at the top of the roster. All of those people represented the WCW brand, myself included, to a lesser extent. They didn’t have any of those people.
“So you’ve got the brand, and if there was a critical flaw, it would be assuming that the audience believed just because you had the three letters, WCW, that the audience would follow. And the audience was not gonna follow, obviously, they didn’t follow. Because they didn’t have the talent that represented the brand, so that the audience could relate to it, so that it felt like, or it could possibly feel like a real invasion and a real conflict.
“Those key talents that were driving the viewership for WCW for such a long period of time; if they’re not on the roster, they’re not on the show, you got a bunch of people who, ‘Yeah, I kind of think I’ve heard of them, and maybe I’ve seen a match or two, but I don’t really care. I don’t relate to them because they don’t relate to WCW,’ in the audience’s mind if that makes sense."
15. nWo in the WWE (2002)
The nWo appear on an episode of WWF Smackdown in 2002, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier. Despite strong momentum and hype, the matches and the stories did not sustain the nWo’s WWF popularity in 2002. Photo Credit: WWE.
When the New World Order (nWo) made their WWE return at No Way Out 2002, it was one of the most anticipated comebacks in wrestling history.
The original trio – Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall – brought with them the legacy of one of WCW’s most dominant factions. Fans expected chaos, invasions, and Attitude Era-level storytelling as the nWo was poised to inject unpredictability back into WWE.
The company teased their arrival as a virus set to destroy the federation from within, hinting at major long-term plans.
But the angle quickly unraveled.
Scott Hall was released just a few months in due to personal issues, Kevin Nash tore his quad shortly after reuniting with Shawn Michaels, and Hulk Hogan’s massive crowd reactions as a supposed heel forced an abrupt face turn and nostalgic run.
Creative direction shifted week to week, and the group became a shell of its former self within months. What could’ve been a seismic power struggle storyline became a forgettable chapter, undone by injuries, backstage issues, and WWE’s reluctance to fully embrace the nWo’s original edge.
Speaking on Something to Wrestle With, Bruce Prichard opened up on why he believes the nWo-WWE experiment failed.
"I think it was a failure. The nWo experiment in the WWF was a failure. I think the idea was good. The execution was not. It was not — a couple of things: I think that the whole nWo angle in WWE, I think it would’ve been better had [Eric] Bischoff been involved in it and Bischoff be the one to bring them in a little bit differently.
“Since J.R. signed everybody from Jack Brisco to Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, and Karl Gotch, that maybe… don’t even know what I’m trying to say here. It was snake bitten, is probably the best way to put it.
“But yeah, couldn’t get Eric in at that time, and Eric wasn’t interested in doing it and I think that would have helped it. Maybe that’s a reason. It could be that online gas station that opened up and was selling bad slurpees, just f***ed with people’s minds that they didn’t like it. It was off about three steps, not even just a half-a-step. It was off about three steps. It felt weird, it felt forced."
16. “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig’s Return to WWE (2002)
Following his return in 2002, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig engaged in very few matches televised on WWE’s major programming, but his encounter with Kane proved to be one of the more high-profile bouts that aired. Photo Credit: WWE.
Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig made a highly anticipated return to WWE in January 2002, entering the Royal Rumble match at number 25.
Hennig impressed fans with strong performances, including a Perfect-Plex on Kurt Angle and competitive moments against top stars, ultimately lasting until the final three before being eliminated by eventual winner Triple H.
His positive reception from both fans and the Atlanta crowd earned him a full-time contract with WWE.
Following the Rumble, Hennig appeared regularly on Raw and Heat, competing against rising stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Batista, while also engaging in short feuds with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Rob Van Dam.
He formed tag teams with Shawn Stasiak and Big Boss Man, mostly featured in house shows and some televised matches.
Despite promising momentum, Hennig’s run was cut short in May 2002 after an infamous physical altercation with Brock Lesnar on the "Plane Ride from Hell."
What began as friendly, competitive grappling between the two Minnesota natives quickly turned serious when their takedown contest moved near the plane’s emergency exit. Lesnar shot in and drove Hennig so forcefully against the aircraft’s side that they nearly compromised the emergency door at cruising altitude, requiring multiple wrestlers to separate them.
The backstage incident, combined with other behavioral issues, led to his release on May 8, 2002, ending what could have been a revitalizing return to WWE.
17. Macho Man Randy Savage TNA Run (2004)
Macho Man Randy Savage shows up in TNA in 2004 dressed in all black and making only a few appearances before disappearing once again. It’s unclear as to what happened with Savage during this period, but it is believed that, due to physical limitations, he bowed out of further bouts. Photo Credit: TNA.
He debuted at the Victory Road pay-per-view on November 7, confronting Jeff Jarrett, and continued his appearances on Impact!, where he feuded with the Kings of Wrestling faction – Jarrett, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.
Savage’s in-ring return culminated at Turning Point on December 5, teaming with Jeff Hardy and A.J. Styles to defeat the Kings of Wrestling in his final match.
Notably, Savage never signed a formal contract with TNA, instead working on a per-date handshake agreement.
His TNA run was brief but impactful, ending without a long-term storyline or title pursuits, and it remains a memorable footnote in the late stages of his wrestling career.
On an installment of My World with Jeff Jarrett, Jarrett provided insight into what happened in 2004 with Randy Savage in TNA.
"From the very beginning, conversations were like, ‘Hey, Randy, we want you a part of the product’.
“That’s not to say he would wrestle every month. (Randy) has to tell us what he wants to do. And he just wasn’t really sure where we were going to go, where the brand was gonna go, the ups and downs with Randy, how much money was involved and as we continued those negotiations, they would get hot, get cold, get hot, get cold – just like with Hulk Hogan.
“We never wanted to press Randy and say, ‘Here’s the deal… here’s what we want you to do, you tell us how we can collaborate.’ Those were the conversations all the way throughout the whole deal. Randy was not the same Randy that we (me and my father) had dealt with over the last twenty years."
18. Muhammad Hassan Storyline (2004 – 2005)
Muhammad Hassan stands over the Undertaker in a heat-building attack that was designed to lead to several PPV bouts between the two. Due to the controversy to follow, Hassan would be released, and his potential would never be followed up on. Photo Credit: WWE.
Muhammad Hassan debuted in WWE’s main roster in 2004 with a controversial and politically charged character, portrayed as a Middle Eastern-American struggling with prejudice and stereotyping post-9/11.
His storyline centered on themes of discrimination and cultural conflict, which WWE utilized to generate heat and elicit strong audience reactions.
Hassan’s character gained significant attention through compelling promos, quickly positioning him as a notable heel in the company.
However, Hassan’s run came to an abrupt end in mid-2005 following a highly controversial segment that aired on SmackDown shortly before the London bombings.
The angle featured Hassan and his allies conducting a staged attack on The Undertaker, with imagery and language that many viewers and media outlets deemed insensitive given the real-world events.
WWE faced widespread backlash and swiftly removed Hassan from television, effectively ending the character and his storyline. This premature end left many wondering what long-term plans WWE might have had for one of their most talked-about heels at the time.
"I think I was a little depressed, definitely heartbroken; You work so hard, you spend so much time just training, preparing. Then it’s all taken away. I understand why the character was taken off TV, [but] I just didn’t want to do it anymore."
19. Shawn Michaels’ Later Run Heel Turn: A Missed Opportunity (2005)
This is the moment where Shawn Michaels turns heel, executing some Sweet Chin Music on his tag team partner, Hulk Hogan. This led to a brief but critically acclaimed period where Shawn Michaels operated as a heel, culminating in their infamous bout at SummerSlam 2005, and then an abrupt end to the two’s summer feud. Photo Credit: WWE.
In the ’90s, Shawn Michaels was one of the most notorious heels, with a face only a rival could love – smarmy, arrogant, and flamboyant, yet undeniably captivating.
His over-the-top ego and "prancy" swagger made him the perfect villain to love to hate, and his antics kept fans glued to the screen despite his lack of humility.
After a well-publicized religious conversion, Michaels cleaned up his act and became a beloved babyface when he returned at SummerSlam 2002, shedding the cocky persona that once defined him.
But in 2005, during a storyline involving Hulk Hogan, WWE briefly brought back his heel side.
This Shawn Michaels had the potential for a fresh, compelling villainous angle, exploring a darker, judgmental character.
Unfortunately, WWE failed to capitalize on this intriguing setup, and the heel turn lasted only a few weeks before fading away, leaving fans to wonder what could have been if the company had committed to the idea.
20. Rob Van Dam’s Main Event Status Derails (2006)
Rob Van Dam walks out of ECW One Night Stand as the WWE World Champion, defeating the organization’s top star in John Cena. Photo Credit: WWE.
Shortly afterward, he was also awarded the ECW Championship, making him a dominant force across WWE’s brands and positioning him as a major star with the potential to become the company’s next top face.
However, RVD’s momentum was abruptly derailed when he was arrested in July 2006 for possession of weed and medication without a prescription.
This real-life legal trouble led to WWE suspending him for 30 days, both in the storyline and in reality. As a result, he lost both the WWE and ECW titles in quick succession.
The suspension and legal issues shattered his push, and despite his undeniable talent, RVD never fully regained the spotlight or the opportunities he had earned. His career trajectory was significantly impacted by these off-screen mistakes.
Vince McMahon’s limo explodes in a fairly over-the-top and shocking angle on WWE Raw in 2007. Due to the Chris Benoit tragedy that would occur within days of this storyline launch, nothing was ever followed up on, and the story was dropped. Photo Credit: WWE.
In mid-2007, WWE launched a shocking storyline in which Vince McMahon was presumed dead following a limousine explosion.
The angle kicked off with the mysterious blast that left WWE fans and on-screen characters believing the company’s chairman had been killed. The storyline was meant to create suspense and lead to dramatic reveals and new power struggles within WWE.
However, the tragic real-life death of wrestler Chris Benoit in June 2007, coupled with the sensitive nature of violence and death, led WWE to abruptly drop the storyline.
Given the controversy, WWE quietly ended the Vince McMahon "death" angle without any proper conclusion.
What started as a bold creative direction was cut short due to real-world tragedy, making it one of the few storylines in WWE history ended out of respect and circumstance rather than narrative choice.
Court Bauer, a former WWE writer, revealed the plan and context behind Vince McMahon’s death in an interview with The World According to Wrestling.
"I always think what could’ve been because we were gearing up to do something with Vince’s little known brother Roderick. His family was going to come in the following week and be part of the funeral for Vince McMahon and I was always pushing that I would love to get another side of the McMahon family involved with WWE. I think it would’ve been fascinating because people forget that Vince has a brother and I think that that story would’ve been amazing."
"How Vince the tycoon he is, the ruthlessly aggressive guy, you know, took over the family business," Bauer said. "His poor brother, what happened to him? And now there’s a refresh on the McMahon dynasty and all of the rivalries and stuff you could tell now, all of these new stories that are there because Roderick has children that you could play with in this setting."
22. Mr. Kennedy WWE Run Before Abrupt Release (2009)
Mr. Kennedy nails a kick on the Undertaker in one of his several high-profile feuds on his perceived way to the top of the food chain and an eventual win as WWE Champion. Unfortunately, his title win never came to be, and eventually, Kennedy was released. Photo Credit: WWE.
No one couldn’t say that Mr. Kennedy a rising star in WWE, known for his charismatic mic skills and unique entrance announcing himself by name.
He had captured the United States Championship and was positioned as a potential main-event talent with a distinct, confident persona that stood out on WWE programming. There was no doubt that he was a future WWE World Champion.
However, his momentum came to an unexpected halt in 2010 when WWE released him from his contract.
According to Kennedy, the release stemmed from complaints by fellow wrestler Randy Orton, who reportedly accused Kennedy of being reckless in the ring. Orton specifically cited a botched backdrop that caused him to land dangerously on his head and neck, which he claimed could have ended his career.
Orton then allegedly convinced John Cena to bring these concerns to Vince McMahon’s attention. Faced with these complaints about Kennedy’s in-ring performance and safety, McMahon made the decision to release him.
The official reasons cited included a combination of backstage issues, reported conflicts with management, and concerns over his professionalism.
Despite his in-ring talent and character work, WWE decided to part ways with Kennedy, cutting short what many believed could have been a longer, more impactful run in the company. Fans and industry insiders viewed his release as premature, given his potential to grow as a top-tier performer.
Talking to Chris Van Vliet, Mr. Kennedy – otherwise known as Ken Anderson – went into detail about his potential and almost winning the WWE World Title.
"Vince [McMahon] and Stephanie laid out the scenario. The Undertaker was going to have a cage match…barely squeak out, somebody else was going to come out and do some more damage to him, and then I was going to come out and pick the bones, cash in the briefcase, cover him, 1 2 3."
"Then at a house show before the cash-in, Batista gives me a little clothesline…I felt something pop in my tricep. So Stephanie called me… ‘We still need to get that title off of Taker, though, so we’re sending the jet to come pick you up. You’re going to come to Penn State. Edge is going to challenge you for your briefcase, and then he’s going to go on and do what you were supposed to do.’"
The devastating twist came post-surgery.
"I go down to Birmingham, Alabama, sitting on Doctor Andrews’ table, and he just feeling my arm, and he goes, ‘That’s not a tear.’ … It was just a large hematoma."
23. The Nexus Invasion (2010)
In a seemingly random and shocking attack, the up-and-coming Nexus group take out some of WWE’s biggest stars, destroying the ring, and attacking ringside officials, instantly putting eyes on the product and generating a ton of buzz that sadly was extinguished in a matter of weeks. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Nexus made one of the most shocking and impactful debuts in WWE history on the June 7, 2010, episode of Raw.
Led by Wade Barrett and comprised of rookies from the first season of NXT, the group stormed the ring, attacking John Cena, CM Punk, and even WWE staff, tearing apart the set and establishing themselves as a true threat to the entire roster.
The invasion felt raw, unpredictable, and dangerous – something WWE hadn’t delivered in years. Fans were instantly hooked, expecting a long-term takeover angle that would elevate a new generation of stars.
Unfortunately, poor booking decisions and backstage politics quickly killed their momentum. At SummerSlam 2010, the group lost their first major match to Team WWE – a move widely criticized, especially since John Cena reportedly overruled the original plan for a Nexus victory.
From there, the faction lost credibility week by week as members were written off, storylines grew inconsistent, and Barrett’s leadership was undermined. By the end of the year, the group had splintered, with most members either repackaged or forgotten. What began as a powerful, landscape-shifting storyline became one of WWE’s biggest missed opportunities.
PJ Black, a member of the Nexus as Justin Gabriel, told Wrestling Inc. about what went down regarding the SummerSlam 2010 finish.
"There was a back and forth between Jericho and Cena about what should happen. We should have changed the finish, but being rookies we didn’t want to be pushy. We all knew we should have changed it. Everything from that point went downhill.
“It should have ran for at least a year and put more of an emphasis on some of the characters. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if the powers that-be got bored or if someone got in their ear or what.
“[The finish was] something we found out a couple of hours before. You try to work stuff out and a lot of guys will try to get stuff changed. We were new, so we knew we had to it. We didn’t have the balls to do it.
“A guy stood up for us and said we should, and the guy who was adamant about not doing it got his way. A few weeks later he stood up and said we were right, and that he should have done that.”
24. Triple H vs. CM Punk (2011)
CM Punk and Triple H get up and close in a WWE Raw face-to-face weeks before their eventual showdown at Night of Champions in 2011. Photo Credit: WWE.
Coming off his groundbreaking "pipebomb" promo in June 2011, CM Punk was the hottest act in professional wrestling. He defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank and temporarily "left" the company, creating massive buzz around his rebellious, anti-authority persona.
When Punk returned weeks later to challenge the corporate structure – particularly Triple H and Vince McMahon – it seemed like WWE was primed for a game-changing storyline. Fans were ready for a new era with Punk at the forefront, feuding with the system itself.
However, what started as an electrifying anti-establishment arc quickly lost steam. The rivalry between Punk and Triple H became muddled by confusing authority figure changes, the abrupt insertion of Kevin Nash, and unclear motivations.
Punk lost clean to Triple H at Night of Champions, which many viewed as a momentum-killing decision.
Internal creative shifts and rumored backstage tension further complicated the angle, and within weeks, Punk was pulled into a separate feud while Triple H moved on. A storyline that had all the tools to define a new generation ended without a satisfying payoff – leaving fans wondering what could’ve been if WWE had fully committed.
On an episode of Kliq This, Kevin Nash went into detail on what was going on backstage at the time.
"When I was supposed to wrestle Punk, he got under [Paul’s] skin so bad. Paul just came up to me and said, ‘I’m going to beat him. You’re not going to wrestle him. I’m beating him.’ Cool. That’s why me and Punk never wrestled. He made the call, ‘I gotta beat this f***er.'”
25. Finn Balor’s Universal Title Run (2016)
Finn Balor holds the WWE Universal Title at SummerSlam 2016 and is crowned the first champion in what could have been an era-defining moment. Due to a shoulder injury, Balor would be forced to relinquish the title the next night on Raw, and it would be months before he competes again. Photo Credit: WWE.
At SummerSlam 2016, Finn Bálor made history by becoming the first-ever WWE Universal Champion, defeating Seth Rollins in a highly anticipated match that marked his arrival as a top-tier main roster star.
His unique "Demon King" persona, combined with his in-ring credibility from NXT and New Japan Pro Wrestling, had fans and critics excited for a fresh face atop WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw.
It was a breakout moment that seemed destined to launch a long-term championship reign and cement Bálor as a main event mainstay.
Unfortunately, disaster struck during the very match that crowned him champion. A ringside powerbomb from Rollins led to a serious shoulder injury, forcing Bálor to vacate the title just 24 hours later.
The emotional promo he gave on Raw the next night underscored just how devastating the setback was – not just for him, but for the company’s long-term storytelling plans. Although he returned months later, the momentum he had as the inaugural Universal Champion never fully recovered. What could’ve been a defining run at the top ended after just one night, derailed by sheer bad luck.
In an ESPN interview, Finn Balor discussed how he now views the injury and Universal Title run ending as it did.
"I feel like when I became Universal Champion for the first time, I think perhaps — all things considered, looking back — it may have happened too soon, and I wasn’t ready.
“That injury was kind of the universe’s way of saying, ‘Hey, Finn, time to knuckle down and work a little harder.’ I thought it was very fitting for my career that it happened the way it happened. It was like another obstacle has been put in my way."
When Wrestling Stories Ended Too Soon and Fans Asked “What If?”
Randy Savage during his brief and troubled TNA Wrestling run in 2004 (left), the infamous Vince McMahon limo explosion storyline from June 2007 that was abruptly canceled (center), and Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig facing Kane during his ill-fated WWE return in 2002 that ended with the Plane Ride from Hell incident (right). The following 25 pro wrestling storylines were cut short by injuries, backstage politics, and creative changes that left fans wanting more. Photo Credit: WWE.
These unfinished pro wrestling storylines remind us how unpredictable the business truly remains behind the curtain. While fans invest emotionally, the reality of professional wrestling means that creative visions can crumble in an instant due to contract disputes, personal conflicts, injuries, or simple backstage politics.
Each of these abandoned angles represents not just missed opportunities for compelling entertainment but potential career-defining moments that could have elevated wrestlers to legendary status or created unforgettable wrestling history. The wrestling industry continues to evolve, but these stories remind us that sometimes the most intriguing chapters are the ones that were never allowed to reach their final page.
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan."— Keith Elliot Greenberg
Jason LeBlanc is a writer, passionate pro wrestling fan, and marketing expert. A 30+ year wrestling historian and editor, his freelance work has appeared in newspapers and publications across his home country of Canada and all over the world.
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