10 Popular Wrestlers WWE Completely Buried
Kurt Angle
10. Mr. Perfect
Mr. Perfect’s 2002 return initially felt like a triumphant homecoming. His impressive Royal Rumble performance reminded fans why he was considered one of the most complete wrestlers of his era. However, the momentum quickly vanished. Rather than positioning him as a serious threat or veteran presence, WWE relegated him to enhancement roles and lesser television shows. Attempts to revive his iconic vignettes lacked impact, and he was rarely booked to win meaningful matches. Despite his legendary status, he was treated as an afterthought before being released following an off-screen incident, ending what could have been a far more meaningful final run.
9. Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin’s first WWE run already left fans divided, but his second stint removed any doubt about his underutilization. After a promising tag team run with Chad Gable, Benjamin faded into obscurity, appearing sporadically without direction. His involvement in The Hurt Business finally gave him renewed momentum and relevance. However, the faction was abruptly disbanded despite strong fan support. With no creative plan afterward, Benjamin was quietly released in 2023, closing the book on a run that never came close to matching his athletic ability.
8. D-Von Dudley
Following the breakup of The Dudley Boyz, D-Von attempted to reinvent himself with the “Reverend D-Von” character. The gimmick initially connected with audiences and showed promise as a singles act. Despite positive reactions, his television time steadily declined. Reports suggest that Vince McMahon lost interest in the character, leading to its abandonment. D-Von was soon placed back into a tag team role with Bubba Ray, cutting short what could have been a successful solo chapter.
7. Gran Metalik
Gran Metalik entered WWE with a reputation as one of the most exciting luchadors in the world. However, WWE’s restrictive booking style stripped away much of what made him special. His matches were simplified, limiting his ability to showcase his athleticism and creativity. During his entire tenure, he never received a singles Cruiserweight Championship opportunity and recorded only a handful of singles victories on major television. After years of stagnation, Metalik requested his release, citing a lack of opportunity.
6. Sin Cara
When Hunico took over the Sin Cara persona, the character was still a major merchandise mover and even crossed into mainstream media appearances. Despite this, his in-ring booking was consistently weak, with frequent losses and little long-term investment. A brief resurgence alongside Kalisto offered hope, but it was short-lived. When Paul Heyman reportedly told him that the Sin Cara character was effectively finished, Hunico chose to leave WWE in 2019, ending a run that never reflected the character’s popularity.
5. Colt Cabana
Colt Cabana was signed largely due to his success and popularity on the independent circuit. Instead of using his natural charisma and comedic timing, WWE repackaged him as Scotty Goldman, a character used almost exclusively to lose matches. Cabana later expressed discomfort with how his web show leaned heavily into stereotypical themes. Despite being one of the most viewed talents on WWE’s digital platforms at the time, he was released in 2009 without ever being given a fair opportunity to succeed.
4. Keith Lee
Keith Lee was one of NXT’s most celebrated performers, known for his rare combination of size, agility, and intelligence. His move to the main roster was immediately undermined by drastic changes to his presentation, reportedly driven by Vince McMahon. Although he scored early victories, his momentum evaporated. Health issues further disrupted plans, including a canceled United States Championship win. A rebranding attempt under the “Bearcat” name failed to connect, and Lee was released in 2021, despite being widely regarded as a future main-event star.
3. Tazz
Tazz’s WWE debut was among the most anticipated of its era, peaking with a massive reaction at the Royal Rumble in 2000. Ironically, that reaction may have worked against him, as he was not considered a “WWE-made” star. A misunderstood in-ring moment with Kurt Angle led to perceptions of him being unsafe, pushing him down the card. His ECW Championship loss to Triple H was decisive and abrupt, effectively ending his push. Soon after, Tazz transitioned into commentary, leaving his in-ring potential largely unexplored.
2. Raven
Raven arrived in WWF with a cult following and a deep, character-driven approach. However, he was quickly slotted into the hardcore division, limiting his storytelling range. His proposed “seven deadly sins” storyline was scrapped due to lack of commitment from top talent. By 2002, he was relegated to secondary programming, and he was released the following year. Raven later admitted that the experience left him so disillusioned he stopped watching wrestling altogether.
1. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle’s final WWE run in 2017 stands as one of the most criticized misuses of a legend. Instead of allowing him to wrestle immediately, WWE placed him in a non-wrestling authority role, forcing him into heavily scripted promos that did not suit his strengths. When he was finally cleared to wrestle regularly, he was booked to lose cleanly to mid-card talent. His retirement match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 was widely condemned, and reports suggest Vince McMahon dismissed fan backlash entirely, leaving Angle’s farewell far from the legacy he deserved.
