The force that sustains professional wrestling is the talent. Without characters that fans can believe in and get behind, there is no magic in the squared circle. Today, new talent is molded into perfection in farming promotions such as NXT, or previously OVW. Some superstars show immense potential, and come with high expectations.

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With vignettes and promo videos leading up to their debut, some wrestlers are built up to be giants. However, one thing is certain: there is no perfect formula for creating a star. A character must show passion, guts, and connect with the crowd. They can throw all of their previous accomplishments out the window, because when they step in front of the thousands in attendance, they are being judged again. Many times, there were superstars who ticked all the boxes and should have made it to the top, but for some reason didn't.

Here are 10 promising superstars that ended up being busts.

10 Sean O’Haire

Sean O’Haire captured the WCW Tag Titles with another wrestler on this list, Mark Jindrak. In the early 2000s, his size, natural athleticism and ability to cut intense promos made him a huge prospect for the WWE.

In 2003, O’Haire seemed to have hit gold, being paired with the legendary Roddy Piper and even wrestling Hulk Hogan (Mr. America). Unfortunately, as Piper left the company, O’Haire lost his push. He was unable to regain this momentum. Sadly, O’Haire passed away in 2014, another young and talented wrestler gone too soon.

9 Humberto Carrillo

The young and dynamic superstar, and cousin of Angel Garza, formed a short alliance with legendary Rey Mysterio on the main roster. With his experience in NXT and 205 Live, Humberto Carrillo showed the heart of a fighter and impressive aerial techniques.

In 2019, Carrillo was pushed to the mid card as a contender for the United States Championship. However, recently his fire has been simmering down. While he was given a shot, for now, Vince McMahon has put the breaks on the young Mexican talent.

8 Matt Morgan

Matt Morgan had great success in OVW, making himself a viable competitor and a champion in the brand. In 2003, he was brought to the main roster and immediately teamed with the star Brock Lesnar.

The seven foot tall beast, had the look and drive to become a top player in the company. Unfortunately, after bouncing around for a few years, and not finding a role that stuck, Morgan was released in 2005. He would spend the rest of his career in TNA. However, "The Blueprint" never won a singles title there either.

7 EC3

Ethan Carter III began his wrestling career cutting his teeth in the independent scene in the 2000s. About a decade later, he would join the WWE and have success in FCW and NXT. He would be released from WWE in 2013 and joined TNA that same year. While with Impact Wrestling, EC3 saw his star rise to new heights, becoming a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

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His return to NXT in 2018 showed promise for EC3, who now had experience to back up his look and talent. While he initially had a feud with Dean Ambrose, his push would peter out as wasn’t given a role that got over.

6 Muhammad Hassan

Muhammad Hassan entered the WWE in 2004, donning a kufiya, as a foreign heel. A few years after 9/11, he received immediate heat from the American crowds. Hassan, along with Daivari were great competitors and characters. He would face the likes of John Cena and was pegged to defeat The Undertaker.

On SmackDown, Hassan hired terrorist-looking henchmen to attack the phenom. Hours before this was aired, an actual terrorist attack occurred in London. Subsequently, the character was taken off television immediately, and Hassan’s career was lost due to bad timing.

5 Nathan Jones

 

Like Matt Morgan, Nathan Jones was an impressive big man, with the potential to reach the top of the WWE. The seven foot Australian teamed up with Lesnar’s monster Survivor Series team in 2003.

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Prior to this, Jones was paired with The Undertaker and was set to face A-Train and The Big Show at WrestleMania XIX. Unfortunately, he was removed from the match and sent to OVW to improve his wrestling ability. After about one year, Jones would quit the WWE and have greater success playing the villain on the big screen.

4 Mark Jindrak

Sean O’Haire and Mark Jindrak were two time WCW Tag Team Champions before entering the WWE in 2001. He was introduced as a member of the Alliance during the Invasion angle, and was later sent to OVW.

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During the Ruthless Aggression era, Jindrak was meant to be the fourth member of Evolution, however HHH felt he was not right for the role. Despite filming a vignette with Jindrak, Batista was ultimately chosen. He would have a few more gimmicks like “The Reflection of Perfection” but was released in 2005.

3 Alex Riley

With The Miz as a mentor, Alex Riley entered the scene in 2010. He would be Miz’s right hand man, helping the heel win matches, and keep his WWE Championship. The protege would turn on his mentor, attacking Miz and gaining support from fans.

Due to some disagreement with John Cena, Riley would lose his push. In 2012, he lost 14 matches in a row, and did not recover. Sent back to NXT, Riley would never get over despite his solid wrestling abilities and great physique.

2 Mr. Kennedy

Mr. Kennedy (Kennedy) began his career on the main roster with a undefeated streak for about one month. He would have memorable feuds in the mid card until he became Mr. Money in the Bank in 2007, and vowed to cash it in at WrestleMania XXIV.

Kennedy would have memorable feuds, including one with Shawn Michaels. Unfortunately, Kennedy's big plans were put on hold as he was suspended due to a violation of the wellness policy shortly after. More bad luck would follow, as fellow wrestlers Randy Orton and John Cena cited safety concerns with Kennedy’s in-ring ability.

1 Adam Rose

Adam Rose

Rose and the Rosebuds partied their way on to the main roster from NXT in 2014, after vignettes bout his proclivity to partying. The South African entered the scene on the party bus called the exotic express, first feuding with Jack Swagger.

While his gimmick was only on the threshold of catching on, in 2016, Rose was suspended for a wellness policy violation, and later in the year ran into legal issues regarding domestic violence. Rose had charisma and a great look, but unfortunately failed to make a mark in the WWE.

NEXT: NXT: 11 Great Superstars Who Never Held Gold