Guys that fucked up their own pushes

[Mr. Nerfect]

We here, in the IWC, often bitch about guys who are kept down -- whether it be missed opportunities to push a particular talent, or the continued refusal by "McMahonagement" (as I've heard it referred to around the place) to allow the ascension of a particular talent -- despite their ability or popularity.

But which talent comes to mind as being ones to fuck up their own push? How many guys can you think of that the WWE said "Yep, you're going places to," before they pretty much sent a giant "fuck you" to the WWE by doing something incredibly stupid?

William Regal, The Brian Kendrick and, of course, Rob Van Dam come to my mind.

[jony lions]

dusty rhodes,jake roberts and santino for not havin the right genes.if he was a bit bigger hed be main eventin by now.also brets book f`n rules.

[Dave Youell]

Billy Gunn

Thread Closed!

[The Mackem]

The Shockmaster

[Londoner]

Does jeff hardy count?

[The Mackem]

If he has a clear mind.

[The Fonz]

http://www.ugo.com/sports/best-midcard-wrestlers/images/entries/mr-kennedy.jpg

[XIII]

http://www.ugo.com/sports/best-midcard-wrestlers/images/entries/mr-kennedy.jpg

KENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEDDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYY:foc::wavesad::wave::rant::eek::'(:rofl:
yeah kennedy fucked up
batista keeps fuckin up by gettin hurt

[Pardeep 619]

Test messed his own push

[ClockShot]

Does Chris Masters count?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'll throw in DH Smith as another candidate. Not like he was getting a huge push, but he picked up a few wins to start his WWE career...got suspended...came back and wrestled in like three matches (jobbing mightily in all of them) in a 5 month span...then got drafted to SmackDown and was never seen again until he got drafted to ECW to be part of The Hart Dynasty.

If he had avoided suspension, I could have seen him being a servicable enough midcarder on Raw, probably would have just stayed there rather than move to SD and would have been a part of Legacy.</font>

[Jannettyzilla]

<------------------- :(

[V]

i am surprised nobody has mentoined brock lesnar

[Loose Cannon]

Brock Lesnar? how?

If anything, he fucked up the WWE's plans. He's UFC Champion right now. I'd say he's doing pretty well

[V]

Brock Lesnar? how?

If anything, he fucked up the WWE's plans.
Which is exactly what this thread is about:


How many guys can you think of that the WWE said "Yep, you're going places to," before they pretty much sent a giant "fuck you" to the WWE by doing something incredibly stupid?

[Fox]

I know RVD was pulled over and got possession charges, but I don't think he really fucked up his push. I think the WWE pussied out on what could've been a huge opportunity.

Marijuana is huge in this country. While he may have alienated some of his fans after the incident, he also probably gained a lot of them too. Not only that, but the publicity and controversy surrounding him could have brought in more casual fans.

I mean, you had a guy getting drunk in the ring every night (Austin) and he was World Champion several times. You have a guy who smokes weed and his push is immediately killed. It's just bullshit STIGMA surrounding marijuana.

[Loose Cannon]

but what did he do that was so stupid?

To me this thread is more about the guys doing drugs and what not

[The Mackem]

The Shockmaster did not do drugs.

[V]

but what did he do that was so stupid?

To me this thread is more about the guys doing drugs and what not
left to play football, where he failed. had he stayed in the WWE, i'm sure he'd be close to rock/austin status by now.

yeah he did make it in UFC, but that was quite some time afterwards.

[Kane Knight]

Does jeff hardy count?

Jeff Hardy has fucked up his own push multiple times. This is why, practically speaking, he should never be let near the ME scene.

[Loose Cannon]

wow, he played one year. give the guy a break. they offered him a contract to go play in Europe, but he declined and went to MMA instead.

look at him now. Lesnar wins

[Kane Knight]

I know RVD was pulled over and got possession charges, but I don't think he really fucked up his push. I think the WWE pussied out on what could've been a huge opportunity.

Marijuana is huge in this country. While he may have alienated some of his fans after the incident, he also probably gained a lot of them too. Not only that, but the publicity and controversy surrounding him could have brought in more casual fans.

I mean, you had a guy getting drunk in the ring every night (Austin) and he was World Champion several times. You have a guy who smokes weed and his push is immediately killed. It's just bullshit STIGMA surrounding marijuana.

You do know RVD wasn't just in possession of weed, right? Also, it might have brought in more fans, but would have got WWE in trouble with its shareholders and spurred another fraud investigation, to say the least.

The idea of picking up fans is to then benefit you via income. It would be fucking stupid to do it in a fashion that would then cost them money and possibly lead to more severe penalties.

The moral of this story: Don't be stupid, kids.

[Kane Knight]

wow, he played one year. give the guy a break. they offered him a contract to go play in Europe, but he declined and went to MMA instead.

look at him now. Lesnar wins

Indeed. I'm gonna stick this under "don't be stupid, part two." Guy gets more money for a few minutes of fighting than he does for busting his ass for months. LAWL WHAT A LOSER.

[V]

The thread asked who fucked up their WWE push, not their life.

I never said Brock wasn't succesful. dont put words in my mouth.

[Krimzon7]

How has nobody mention Benjamin

[Mr. Nerfect]

Billy Gunn

Thread Closed!

See, I knew situations like this would come up. I think guys like these merit discussion. Did Billy Gunn really fuck up his push? How? Whenver I saw the guy, I liked him, but I never thought he was pushed particularly hard (this is during his run as "The One"). I saw him make it to the Final Four in the 2001 Royal Rumble, and I wanted to see more from him.

What is the story behind him never amounting to anything after winning the 1999 King of the Ring?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Does jeff hardy count?

I'd consider Jeff Nero one. The guy was slated to win Money in the Bank in 2008, I believe. Granted, this is all just speculation, but assuming that to be the case, Hardy would have likely cashed in on RAW, and become one of, if not the top face in the WWE. I think that counts.

Guys like Test, Chris Masters and Mr. Kennedy I wouldn't count. Unless I am missing something. Test was always loved by the WWE, but he was never really pushed "hard out" as a major contender for any World Title, or anything. I remember people were clamouring for him to beat The Undertaker at Summerslam 2002, and he got beat. I'd say he was more a victim of the glass ceiling and the WWE's reluctance to put younger guys over, more than anything.

I don't think Kennedy being injured during critical times in his career were neccessarily his fault. Some guys prove that injuries do not dampen your success (see: Batista, Dave). I think the biggest problem Kennedy met was being caught on RAW, and then turning face.

Chris Masters was poorly treated by the WWE, in my opinion. Jim Cornette pegged him as a possible major star for the company (his previous predictions were John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton and Matt Morgan -- so the guy has a good track record), but he was brought in way too early, was given a tired character, given a shit finishing move, and was pushed way too hard way too fast. Then the WWE tells guys to lay off the steroids, and when the roided up physique of Masters disappeared, the WWE turned him into a joke? All the dude needed was more time to learn and develop. And a character with more dimensions to play.

[Gertner]

Lex Luger fucking up his world title push before Wrestlemania 10.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You do know RVD wasn't just in possession of weed, right? Also, it might have brought in more fans, but would have got WWE in trouble with its shareholders and spurred another fraud investigation, to say the least.

The idea of picking up fans is to then benefit you via income. It would be fucking stupid to do it in a fashion that would then cost them money and possibly lead to more severe penalties.

The moral of this story: Don't be stupid, kids.

This, but on a more superficial, on-screen level: The dude was both WWE Champion and ECW Champion. His WWE Title reign was probably not going to be an epic one, or anything, but I think it ended even sooner than planned, and the plug was also pulled on him being anything but a "popular player" in the WWE (a role he had been playing for years).

RVD finally made it to the stage where he could be considered a permanent main eventer, and he fucked it up by spitting in the trust the WWE gave him. This also led to RVD getting fed up and wanting out of the WWE (not the sole reason, mind you). It damaged RVD's relationship with the WWE, and made him look weaker on-screen.

[Kane Knight]

I don't think Kennedy being injured during critical times in his career were neccessarily his fault. Some guys prove that injuries do not dampen your success (see: Batista, Dave). I think the biggest problem Kennedy met was being caught on RAW, and then turning face.

Kennedy also had the whole steroids suspension, which could be why people are bringing him up. He may not have been the one who fucked himself over most of the time, but certainly he fucked himself there. Not to mention he's likely injury prone because he was on steroids.

[FourFifty]

Marijuana is huge in this country. While he may have alienated some of his fans, stock holders, sponsors, arenas, vendors, potential fans, corporate partners, etc after the incident

Yea, it's not always just about the fans.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Shelton comes to mind immediately. Every time they put him in a big match situation, he botches a move that makes himself look like he can't be depended on to carry big matches. Every single time.

[Gertner]

How about Chris Harris jumping to the WWE while being a part of the most successful team in TNA and totally ruining his career.

[Chavo Classic]

How about Chris Harris jumping to the WWE while being a part of the most successful team in TNA and totally ruining his career.

AMW disbanded a while before he jumped ship. The reason for Walker leaving TNA was a lack of opportunities following the break-up. It must hurt to see his former partner doing so well in Beer Money too

[FourFifty]

The Warrior could have made millions, and still have a job as a figurehead authority figure with WWE (he's a great talker, even if I don't agree with what he says) if he didn't have a stick up his ass. Dude screwed himself out of a steady paycheck.

[Droford]

Lex Luger fucking up his world title push before Wrestlemania 10.

That was totally the first one that came to my mind.

[Chavo Classic]

Teddy Hart has fucked up all of his pushes before they've even happened.

[Gertner]

AMW disbanded a while before he jumped ship. The reason for Walker leaving TNA was a lack of opportunities following the break-up. It must hurt to see his former partner doing so well in Beer Money too

Shit, that's right my bad. Still though, better to be stuck in TNA being mid card than what he's doing now.

[Chavo Classic]

Shit, that's right my bad. Still though, better to be stuck in TNA being mid card than what he's doing now.

I don't even know what he's doing now. Probably trying that knock-knock joke while he sells steak-knives door to door.

[Chavo Classic]

The thread asked who fucked up their WWE push, not their life.

I never said Brock wasn't succesful. dont put words in my mouth.

Brock doesn't really fit into this category. He left on his own will because he felt the WWE lifestyle was burning him out, and despite a failed attempt at a career in football, he went onto to win the IWGP title and the obvious career in MMA.

Everyone else in mentioned in this thread are guys who wanted to wrestle at the top, and by their own misfortune or stupidity, have failed to do so. It's not the same, simply because Brock doesn't want to be in the WWE anymore. He doesn't want to be the next HHH or Austin, and rightly too, because he's making a killing in UFC.

[My Final Heaven]

<------------------- :(

First one I thought of was Sid.

[Gertner]

I don't even know what he's doing now. Probably trying that knock-knock joke while he sells steak-knives door to door.

"Knock Knock"

"Who's there?

"Braden Walker, and I'm gonna beat your brains in with a deal for a wonderful vacuum."

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

left to play football, where he failed. had he stayed in the WWE, i'm sure he'd be close to rock/austin status by now.

yeah he did make it in UFC, but that was quite some time afterwards.

lol yeah I'm sure he'd rather be on the way to dying from heart failure than playing legit professional sports.

[Kane Knight]

This, but on a more superficial, on-screen level: The dude was both WWE Champion and ECW Champion. His WWE Title reign was probably not going to be an epic one, or anything, but I think it ended even sooner than planned, and the plug was also pulled on him being anything but a "popular player" in the WWE (a role he had been playing for years).

RVD finally made it to the stage where he could be considered a permanent main eventer, and he fucked it up by spitting in the trust the WWE gave him. This also led to RVD getting fed up and wanting out of the WWE (not the sole reason, mind you). It damaged RVD's relationship with the WWE, and made him look weaker on-screen.

Yeah, that was stupid of RVD. But on the plus side, it demonstrated how unprofessional he is.

Yea, it's not always just about the fans.

:love:

Fan entitlement. "Who cares if he doesn't give a shit, and there could be criminal repercussions! I like pot and I like RVD!"

lol yeah I'm sure he'd rather be on the way to dying from heart failure than playing legit professional sports.

Yeah, but the IWC tends towards sour grapes.

[thedamndest]

http://www.ugo.com/sports/best-midcard-wrestlers/images/entries/umaga.jpg

[Nicky Fives]

Does Lex Luger count? he was pretty over, but probably would have been pushed to the moon at WM 10 by winning the WWF Title, but instead he blabbed about winning at a bar and Vince changed his mind...

[Jannettyzilla]

First one I thought of was Sid.
Yeah, I meant him and the dude he's kicking.

[KYR]

Goldberg.

Yeah WWE need to accept part of the blame, but ultimately G'Berg didn't care about anything except the pay cheque.

[Chavo Classic]

Goldberg.

Yeah WWE need to accept part of the blame, but ultimately G'Berg didn't care about anything except the pay cheque.

Probably yeh. Instead of a one year money-spinning contract, had he played the game a little he could've got a few money-spinning years. He probably couldn't have cared less, and wanted out as much as Brock.

[KYR]

The thing about Goldberg versus Brock though is that Brock had something else to go to. He had a goal, a desire to try something else outside of wrestling. I can accept this.

Goldberg had squat. He'd made his money and was happy to just sit back to see what fell in his lap.

I'm no Goldberg fan by any means but this attitude shits me. I don't believe at the start of his WWE tenure it was like this but when he realised that he was NOT going to be an automatic main-eventer, would have to actually WORK at getting over (not just with the fans but with the locker room as well) and would have to improve his skills both in the ring and on the mic to stay at the top he just decided 'nah, not worth it, I'll just take my pay cheque each week until the contract expires.'

I could be TOTALLY unreasonable here and waaaaayyyyy off the mark, but this is the perception he has left me with.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kennedy also had the whole steroids suspension, which could be why people are bringing him up. He may not have been the one who fucked himself over most of the time, but certainly he fucked himself there. Not to mention he's likely injury prone because he was on steroids.

That did pass through my head, but I don't think this really hurt him too much. When he returned from his suspension, he was made to look like he could hang in the main event. He still had his feud with Shawn Michaels to come.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Shit, that's right my bad. Still though, better to be stuck in TNA being mid card than what he's doing now.

I personally think it could be a really great storyline if Chris Harris returns to TNA with a tag team partner to feud with his former partner, James Storm and Beer Money, Inc.

[KIRA]

Lex Luger fucking up his world title push before Wrestlemania 10.

Flexy Lexy fucking up in general to the point where he cant walk

[Jeritron]

Windham

[GSP]

What did Brian Kendrick do?

[Xero]

Weed.

[KYR]

On who?

[The Mackem]

See, I knew situations like this would come up. I think guys like these merit discussion. Did Billy Gunn really fuck up his push? How? Whenver I saw the guy, I liked him, but I never thought he was pushed particularly hard (this is during his run as "The One"). I saw him make it to the Final Four in the 2001 Royal Rumble, and I wanted to see more from him.

What is the story behind him never amounting to anything after winning the 1999 King of the Ring?

I think Billy Gunn was a victim of his own abilities. I see it as a lesson in booking people beyond what people can accept. Yeah he was popular in DX and was a good upper midcard/Intercontinental champ but once they tried pushing him into the main event, having him win King of the Ring and beyond people just didn't buy it. I can't remember much about the Billy Gunn/Rock programme that followed except The Rock keep on taking the piss out of Billy Gunn. 'My name's Billy' in a kid's voice and then kept on saying that he 'sucked'. In fact didn't they fight at Summerslam. I'm going to have to look this up because I'd blanked a lot of this out.

[The Mackem]

<div><object width="480" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5r8dx_the-rock-promo-on-billy-gun_sport&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5r8dx_the-rock-promo-on-billy-gun_sport&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5r8dx_the-rock-promo-on-billy-gun_sport">The Rock Promo on Billy Gun</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/gb/channel/sport">Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.</a></i></div>

[The Mackem]

<div><object width="480" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x3k3jv_hilarious-the-rock-mr-ass-segment-8_sport&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x3k3jv_hilarious-the-rock-mr-ass-segment-8_sport&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3k3jv_hilarious-the-rock-mr-ass-segment-8_sport">HILARIOUS The Rock, Mr. Ass Segment - 8/16/99 RAW</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/tpayas">tpayas</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/gb/channel/sport">Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.</a></i></div>

[thecc]

I think Billy Gunn was a victim of his own abilities. I see it as a lesson in booking people beyond what people can accept. Yeah he was popular in DX and was a good upper midcard/Intercontinental champ but once they tried pushing him into the main event, having him win King of the Ring and beyond people just didn't buy it. I can't remember much about the Billy Gunn/Rock programme that followed except The Rock keep on taking the piss out of Billy Gunn. 'My name's Billy' in a kid's voice and then kept on saying that he 'sucked'. In fact didn't they fight at Summerslam. I'm going to have to look this up because I'd blanked a lot of this out.I vaguely remember it being called a kiss my ass match.

[DAMN iNATOR]

<EMBED height=381 type=application/x-shockwave-flash width=480 src=http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5r8dx_the-rock-promo-on-billy-gun_sport&related=1 allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true"></EMBED>
The Rock Promo on Billy Gun (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5r8dx_the-rock-promo-on-billy-gun_sport)
Uploaded by Rocky_TheRock_Maivia (http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia). - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos. (http://www.dailymotion.com/gb/channel/sport)


HA! That's one of the promos off The Rock's DVD. Of course though there's plenty of other great ones they have...and while I don't think it completely ruined Big Show's career, I think Rock's "Big Slow" promo may have hurt Show's credibility with a lot of fans, at least for a while, but now, nearly 10 years later, I could honestly see Show taking the US title from Kofi at Night of Champions...

<div><object width="480" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5r715_the-rock-promo-on-big-show_sport&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x5r715_the-rock-promo-on-big-show_sport&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5r715_the-rock-promo-on-big-show_sport">The Rock promo on Big Show</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Rocky_TheRock_Maivia">Rocky_TheRock_Maivia</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/us/channel/sport">Discover the latest sports and extreme videos.</a></i></div>
"WELL IT'S THE BIG SLOW!" (making weird sounds):rofl::lol:

[The Mackem]

You bring up a good point which may be topic worthy. Did the hilarity of the Rock sometimes bury workers like Billy Gunn and the Big Show? Or is up to those on the end of the Rock's taunts to give as good as they get to save their image?

[DAMN iNATOR]

Yeah but I will leave it to someone else if they want to raise this issue as another thread. Especially seeing how it's not really all that pertinent to what we're talking about in this thread. Kinda half on-, half off-topic.

[AJHayes]

I was of the opinion that Billy Gunn got "lazy" before he should have. He got too comfortable with where he was going and just kind of stopped trying, kind of like he was entitled to be a main eventer.

[Mooияakeя™]

The Million Dollar Man.

It's not that he did anything wrong, it's just he created a belt more awesome than the title that he didn't need it anyway, and by proxy the already jealous Jack Tunney (of DiBiase's millions) vetoed his ascent to #1 in the company. Tunney did pay the price eventually though. But that's another story.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You bring up a good point which may be topic worthy. Did the hilarity of the Rock sometimes bury workers like Billy Gunn and the Big Show? Or is up to those on the end of the Rock's taunts to give as good as they get to save their image?

This is something I was just thinking. You get guys who can put over their opponents so well. Listening to Tommy Dreamer talk about Christian and Vladimir Kozlov on ECW the other week is a fine example. It helps them look like threats as talent within the radius of winning the title they are challenging for. A guy tearing his opponent to shreds does nothing to really help them in the fans' eyes.

[TLHOPPER]

I would go with Kery Von Erich

I know he had a great career but with his size and ability plus the fact that fans absolutely loved him he could have been what John Cena is today but unfortunately he had a reputation as being irresponsible which cost him a longer nwa title reign plus i think him losing his foot in that motorcycle accident hurt him. To me he seemed like someone Vince Mcmahon would push to the moon if it weren't for those factors.

[Savio]

I know RVD was pulled over and got possession charges, but I don't think he really fucked up his push. I think the WWE pussied out on what could've been a huge opportunity.

Marijuana is huge in this country. While he may have alienated some of his fans after the incident, he also probably gained a lot of them too. Not only that, but the publicity and controversy surrounding him could have brought in more casual fans.

I mean, you had a guy getting drunk in the ring every night (Austin) and he was World Champion several times. You have a guy who smokes weed and his push is immediately killed. It's just bullshit STIGMA surrounding marijuana.I disagree

[Savio]

Chris Benoit

[Haze]

William Regal.

For most of his career he has played the part of the guy at the but end of many joke storylines. And then he becomes the General Manager of Raw, and seems to be running away with the role. And then he wins the King of the Ring, and seems poised for a major push to the big time.

And then he gets suspended, and is now wrestling on WWE's "C" level show.

Fucking up a push to a T.

[Mr. Nerfect]

William Regal.

For most of his career he has played the part of the guy at the but end of many joke storylines. And then he becomes the General Manager of Raw, and seems to be running away with the role. And then he wins the King of the Ring, and seems poised for a major push to the big time.

And then he gets suspended, and is now wrestling on WWE's "C" level show.

Fucking up a push to a T.

I still think that Triple H was going to drop the WWE Championship to William Regal last year. Trips is a big Regal supporter, and the heat Regal was getting as the evil GM and King of the Ring was off the charts. Regal could have stolen the WWE Title, and the fans would have been rabid to see someone take it off him.

Hopefully the man has his shit together, so he can at least get an ECW Title reign, and earn back some of the company's trust.