The world-famous professional wrestling organization WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is recognized for its dramatic, action-packed matches. It is also rife with tales of fortitude, tenacity, and the capacity to overcome setbacks.
Despite their amazing talent and potential, many stars have had early setbacks and have found it difficult to engage with their audience. However, a few of these wrestlers have become some of the biggest names in the business thanks to their dedication, perseverance, and willingness to change.
There have been a number of WWE wrestlers that initially struggled to succeed or find their place in the business. Although these people experienced disappointments, their tenacity, and determination finally helped them achieve success.
Mark Calaway, better known as The Undertaker, is one illustration. He made his WWE debut in 1990 as a person who resembled a gray-skinned zombie undertaker. Despite the original concept, the audience did not respond favorably to the initial presentation. But Calaway seized the chance to reinvent himself, and he finally turned into the fabled Undertaker we know today. The Undertaker rose to become one of the most adored and revered wrestlers in WWE history thanks to his menacing demeanor, amazing in-ring abilities, and legendary WrestleMania streak, an article on sportskeeda.com reported.
WWE Superstars that initially failed
Here are some WWE superstars that initially encountered difficulties or struggled to make an impact, despite the fact that success in WWE can be arbitrary and varies from performance to performer:
| WWE Superstar | Initial Setbacks/Failures | Turning Point/Success |
| Drew McIntyre | The initial push didn’t pan out as expected, released in 2014 | Returned in 2017 with renewed focus, and became WWE Champion |
| Zack Ryder | Relegated to lower card status despite the popularity | Won Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32 |
| Cesaro | Underutilized despite exceptional in-ring abilities | The perennial favorite, a respected performer in WWE |
- Drew McIntyre:
After a promising start in WWE, Drew McIntyre was pushed as “The Chosen One” and was expected to be a future top star. However, his initial push didn’t pan out as expected, and he was eventually released from the company in 2014. He returned to WWE in 2017 with a renewed focus and determination, eventually becoming a top-tier performer and capturing the WWE Championship.
2. Zack Ryder:
Zack Ryder developed a sizable fan base because to his independently produced YouTube series, “Z! True Long Island Story,” which allowed him to interact with viewers and generate buzz. Despite being well-liked, Ryder frequently found himself demoted to a lower card despite his success in WWE television. He persisted nonetheless, trying different approaches to engage the crowd. Ryder’s dedication paid off in 2016 as he captured the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32, making it a standout moment in his career.
3. Cesaro:
One of the most talented and technically adept wrestlers in the WWE, Cesaro is highly recognized. Cesaro, despite his excellent skills in the ring, struggled to achieve ongoing success and was frequently underused. Cesaro struggled to break through to the main event circuit, despite his success as a member of The Bar with Sheamus.