Revisiting WWE's Forgotten 'Next Big Thing' Prospects, Where Are They Now?
Modern pro wrestling history is littered with Superstars for whom big things were expected but, for a variety of reasons, never achieved.
From outside controversies to injuries, from questionable booking to unrealized potential, there are several Superstars tapped as the potential "next big thing" who failed to live up to the hype and instead faded into wrestling lore.
Who are a few of them and what are they up to now?
Let's take a look.
Lars Sullivan
1 of 5
Lars Sullivan spent time in NXT from 2015 through his main roster call-up in 2018, mostly as a physically dominant big man, even if he lost more matches than he probably should have.
Tapped as a force of nature, Sullivan arrived on the main roster and was allowed the opportunity to run through Superstars such as The Miz and The Hardy Boyz, before jumping to SmackDown.
An ill-timed knee injury put him out of action, and when he returned to TV in 2020, the bloom was off that particular rose. By the time problematic social media posts from his past surfaced, and his starring role in adult films was discovered, any chance Sullivan had of going on a run as a truly unstoppable main event heel was gone.
Sullivan effectively retired from wrestling upon his requested release from WWE in 2021, telling Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select that his battle with crippling anxiety meant his time in the business was likely over.
Where is He Now?: What Sullivan is involved in now is largely unknown, with the man behind the monster staying disconnected from the industry. Sapp reported shortly after his release that he was training for bare-knuckle boxing. That did not materialize.
Vladimir Kozlov
2 of 5
Vladimir Kozlov arrived on the WWE main roster with every chance to be a main event star.
A former USA Open Heavyweight Sambo champion, Kozlov was immediately thrust into the main event upon his arrival on WWE TV, where he battled the likes of Edge, Triple H, The Undertaker and Jeff Hardy in marquee matchups, his star burning brighter after every bout.
The 2008 Breakout Star of the Year winner at the Slammy Awards, Kozlov appeared to be well on his way to not only headlining WWE pay-per-views but also winning a world title or two.
He remained unbeaten on WWE television until February 2009, when he lost to Shawn Michaels ahead of WrestleMania 25, then The Deadman shortly thereafter.
Unfortunately, that was the end of Kozlov's main event run. A guy who emerged from developmental, was given a monster push and programmed against every top star available at the time, suddenly found himself demoted to ECW, then turned into a comedy act alongside Santino Marella.
Kozlov would go on to win tag team gold with Marella on the December 6, 2010, episode of Raw. By that time the following year, he would be out of WWE entirely, his shot at world title glory and superstardom in the company a distant memory.
Where Is He Now?: Kozlov, real name Oleg Prudius, has worked in film as both an actor and stuntman since his departure from WWE. He appeared on screen in the USA Network original series, Burn Notice, but is most notable for his stunt contributions to the Fast and the Furious and John Wick franchises.
Nathan Jones
3 of 5
"The Colossus of Boggo Road" arrived in WWE in 2003 as the next big thing, mentored by The Undertaker, and immediately positioned for a high-profile tag team match at WrestleMania XIX in which he would partner with The Deadman to battle Big Show and A-Train.
He had the look and presence of a main event ass-kicker and had first impressed WWE officials during his appearance for the World Wrestling All-Stars promotion in his native land of Australia.
There was only one, small, minute problem: Jones was not remotely a good wrestler, a fact the company deduced fairly quickly during his stint.
Yanked from the WrestleMania match and given a run-in spot amid fears that he would embarrass himself and the company on the grandest stage in professional wrestling, Jones would disappear from television before popping back up as an evil henchman for Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman by the end of 2003.
Realizing the industry was not for him, Jones abruptly quit WWE in December of that same year, citing the rigorous travel schedule, and opting to stay put in his home country.
It was a sudden and uneventful conclusion to a career for which the biggest company in the industry once had magnificent plans, only to realize very quickly how important the legendary Jeff Jarrett's in-ring abilities were to the presentation of Jones as a competent in-ring performer during those World Wrestling All-Star events.
Where is He Now?: Like Kozlov, Jones turned to acting, where he has made memorable appearances in the Mad Max films and the 2021 reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
Sin Cara
4 of 5
Not every story on this list has a disappointing or controversial conclusion.
Signed to be the heir apparent as the top luchador in WWE, the artist known as Mistico to fans across CMLL in Mexico made his debut with the company as Sin Cara and wasted little time...becoming an internet meme.
Struggling to adapt to the WWE style, including the pacing of matches, Sin Cara would botch moves and become the butt of fans' jokes as he routinely did something that did not go according to plan.
Add in a failed Wellness Policy test and subsequent suspension, and it was safe to say the masked newcomer did not have the immediate impact of Rey Mysterio.
An uninspired rivalry with Sin Cara Negro, his heel imposter, and a significant knee injury, only further hampered his ability to show the wrestling world what made him a star worthy of WWE's time in the first place.
A tag team with Rey Mysterio would be the final thing of note that Sin Cara did in WWE before returning to Mexico upon the expiration of his contract in 2014. As it turned out, it was the best decision he could have made.
Where is He Now?: Back working for CMLL, Mistico is the biggest star in the promotion and one of, if not the, biggest consistent draws in professional wrestling.
The lucha libre company, with him on top, is as hot as it has been in years. Loose partnerships with other promotions, such as AEW and MLW, have allowed him to make appearances for those companies and strengthen his international footprint.
He defeated MJF on September 19, 2025, to win a Mask vs. Title match and return the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship back to the promotion.
Gable Steveson
5 of 5
Gable Steveson is, perhaps, the star most expected to achieve greatness only to be a massive disappointment within the pro wrestling world.
Set up for success following a brilliant amateur wrestling career that included an Olympic medal, a world championship appearance and a 67-2 NCAA record, he was expected to come into WWE after signing with the company on September 4, 2021, and become the next Kurt Angle.
Except, he did not pick up the pro wrestling game as quickly, nor did he have the natural charisma that helped Angle bridge the gap until he was ready for the iconic run that everyone remembers.
Instead, much was made of Steveson, including a spot in the WWE draft despite never having appeared on the company's TV before that. He was positioned alongside other successful amateur and collegiate wrestlers, like Chad Gable and Angle. But when the bell rang, it was clear he was not either of those performers.
Sent to NXT, where he floundered as fans rejected him, Steveson was part of the 2024 talent releases as his pro wrestling career ended.
Where is He Now?: Anyone guessing that Steveson may go back to wrestling or try his hand in MMA would be correct, as the former Olympian is set to make his UFC debut this July, against Elisha Ellison, on the main card of UFC 329, headlined by the return of Conor McGregor.
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