WWE Failure Flashback: 10 Former Superstars You May Not Remember
Since the beginning of the ECW Initiative that began in the summer of 2008, the WWE has welcomed many new faces to the company. However, these 10 Superstars met their ultimate demise.
Although not all competed on the ECW brand while it was in existence, they were welcomed all during the same time period for the most part.
Some of them were tremendous athletes that just became victims of the questionable WWE booking, while others clearly did not have what it took to maintain a spot in the company.
This article is meant to refresh your memory of these ten recent failures to set foot in a WWE ring, so I don't blame you if you can not recall these forgettable names.
I rank these names from the most recent and fresh in our minds, to the worst attempt of creating a future breakout star.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
10. Vance Archer
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Believe it or not, I was present at the ECW taping in early November 2009 in Providence, R.I., that saw the anticipated debut of Vance Archer.
I would soon discover thereafter that Archer was formerly known as TNA tag team wrestler Lance Rock, so it came as no surprise he was placed on the C-Show.
He received a minimal push upon his arrival, maintaining an undefeated streak with victories over local athletes and established talent such as Tommy Dreamer and Goldust.
At the start of 2010, Archer was placed in a program with Shelton Benjamin, that saw the latter come out of the rivalry victorious towards the end of the ECW broadcast in February.
Following a three-month absence, Archer made his return on the SmackDown brand in May of last year, forming a tag team with Curt Hawkins.
Although it seemed they had their sights set on the WWE Tag Team Championships, they would ultimately disband on the Oct. 7 edition of Superstars, where Archer would accidentally cost Hawkins a match against Chris Masters.
Keeping his heel status, Archer would make his final televised appearance on Nov. 4 in a losing effort against Luke Gallows. He would be released nearly two weeks later along with numerous other WWE employees.
Seeing him make his debut was something special for me, and his in-ring skills and size made him a threat to all opponents. He had potential to become a legitimate mid-carder, but was unfortunately lost in the shuffle on the main shows.
9. Ricky Ortiz
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Ricky Ortiz made his debut also as part, or should I say victim, of the 2008 ECW Talent Initiative brought upon by ECW General Manager. His name was originally set to be Atlas Ortiz, before being tweaked by commentator Taz the following week.
Ortiz earned a handful of victories over the next few months, although his undefeated streak got him nearly nowhere in the Land of Extreme.
It wasn't until the Dec. 2 episode of ECW where the Latin Assassin would suffer his first singles loss at the hands of also undefeated Jack Swagger.
Appearing on television sporadically going into the next year, Ortiz would find himself drafted to the SmackDown brand in April 2009 via the 2009 WWE Supplemental Draft.
He would be able to gain more appearances on Friday Nights than he did on ECW, with impressive showings against Jeff Hardy and R-Truth.
However, following a squash loss to The Great Khali in early August, Ortiz would be ultimately be released from his WWE contract.
I believe his demise was due to his lack of mic skills and not connecting with the crowd, although his wrestling was near average and had potential to be something better.
I enjoyed his brief run with the company, but his failure to stand out is what killed him for the most part.
Honestly, the best thing about him was his entrance music. Seriously, if you've never heard it, I highly suggest checking it out. Catchiest tune ever.
8. Caylen Croft
3 of 12Caylen Croft arrived in the WWE along with his tag team partner, Trent Barreta, in December 2009 on the ECW brand. After seeing their first few matches, they immediately reminded me of a young Paul London and Brian Kendrick.
Only a short two months later, the team collectively known as the Dudebusters would move to Friday Nights following the closure of the Land of Extreme.
There, they mainly wrestled on WWE Superstars, engaging in feuds with Chris Masters and the team of Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins.
Following a lackluster time in the WWE, Croft would join Archer in the unemployment line last November, while Barreta stayed to become one of SmackDown's resident high-flyers.
The team had potential to become breakout tag team champions, but their horrendous gimmick as gamers held them back from accomplishing bigger things.
7. Colin Delaney
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If you look the term 'jobber' up in the dictionary, you will see this man's picture. But how can a jobber be the definition of the derogatory term all enhancement talents always lose?
Colin Delaney was different from the pack, simply because unlike most jobbers, he was showcased on the ECW brand losing each and every week for nearly five months.
Delaney would be unsuccessful against the likes of Shelton Benjamin, Big Daddy V, and Kane before winning his "official" ECW roster spot on the 100th episode of the show in May 2008.
His partnership with Tommy Dreamer is what mainly kept him noticed on television, before subsequently turning on the ECW Original at that year's Great American Bash, costing Dreamer the ECW Championship in the process.
This failed attempt at a heel turn lead to Dreamer basically kicking the living crap out of the Irish native in an Extreme Rules match, and ironically being released from the WWE a month later due to budget cuts.
6. Eric Escobar
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Yet another example of Superstar with potential that WWE dropped the ball on almost from the start. Okay, maybe he didn't have much potential, but he was certainly in line for a big push given the way he was introduced on a special edition of SmackDown in early October 2009.
Upon his debut, Escobar was given the "Drew McIntyre treatment" being aggressively pushed and paired with an associate in order to gain heat from the crowd, in this case being Vickie Guerrero. His first and only singles win came over Matt Hardy in order to win a spot on Team SmackDown at that year's Bragging Rights event, a match in which he would be subsequently be removed two weeks later.
Knowing he wasn't successfully getting over, management pulled the plug on this former FCW Champion's push by having him come up short in a brief Intercontinental Championship match against John Morrison and having Guerrero depart from her fiancée thereafter. This would be the start of a very short, lackluster run as fan favorite for Escobar, in addition to losing numerous matches to the likes of the Hart Dynasty and Jeri-Show.
Following a disappearance from television in December 2009, Escobar would be subsequently released from his WWE contract a month later.
5. Kizarny
6 of 12Unlike anyone else on this list, Kizarny has been the only jobber in recent memory to receive as much as he did only to fall flat on his face. Honestly, I was afraid that Alberto Del Rio's hype videos this past summer would also go to waste and end up as the next Eric Escobar.
For nearly three months, the same generic promo would air hyping the debut of this bizarre circus freak, speaking in the language of carny at a festival. Finally, Kizarny would make his long-awaited debut on the first SmackDown of 2009, in a successful effort against a winless MVP.
However, Kizarny would only make one appearance thereafter in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match, before suffering the inevitable release in March. Backstage rumors claimed McMahon was high on the circus freak and destined for greatness, but gave up on Kizarny after realizing how god awful he was in the ring.
4. Scotty Goldman
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Ring of Honor breakout star Colt Cabana made his debut in WWE in the summer of 2008, losing his premiere match to a rising star in The Brian Kendrick. He demonstrated some comedy in his opening promo, but was weak in his corny attempt.
Goldman would continue to job in pointless battle royals and even to the Great Khali, meaning management had no promise in this young star. Following being absent from television for nearly five months, Goldman returned to SmackDown in February 2009.
His stock rose somewhat a few weeks later, where his personal web show entitled Good as Goldman debuted on WWE.com, displaying the original character he portrayed in his independent circuit days. However, following a quick loss to Umaga a short while later, Goldman would find himself sent packing.
Ironically enough, Colt Cabana won the NWA Heavyweight Championship a few weeks ago. Talk about dropping the ball.
3. Ryan Braddock
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Bet you can remember this guy, Ryan Braddock. If you can recall this forgettable Superstar, then I salute you.
Ryan Braddock joined the wave of jobbers to join the SmackDown brand in the summer of 2008, losing his debut match in a squash against Big Show. He would compete in a minimal amount of matches for the next two months, before ultimately being released that October.
Blink and you missed him.
2. Gavin Spears
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If you couldn't remember Ryan Braddock, much less anyone else on this list, then I bet you'll have a hard time remembering this guy: Gavin Spears.
Debuting a part of the ECW roster in late summer 2008 (seeing a pattern here?), Spears would deem himself the "Crowned Jewel of ECW". After only three matches contested within a matter of two months, Spears would be released in early 2009.
Looks like the guy wasn't even good enough for the C-show.
1. Braden Walker
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If you are a follower of TNA, this is an unfair pick seeing this highly controversial Superstar returned just last week. I highly suggest ordering TNA Sacrifice from this past Sunday just to hear the Braden Walker chants echo without the arena.
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, Braden Walker is a former WWE Superstar who debuted, you guessed it, in summer 2008 on the ECW brand as apart of the New Superstar Initiative. He wrestled his first match against Armando Estrada, in what was probably the worst match ever contested on the ECW brand, if not the WWE.
Walker's real name is Chris Harris, who used to be an amazing tag team wrestler in TNA apart of America's Most Wanted. Many were surprised to see him return in the condition he did, and much less wrestle another match against a local athlete the following week.
Fortunatley, Walker was released only a few short weeks later due to budget cuts. I honestly had to watch his first match to remind myself who this guy was, and found myself laughing my ass off.
Honorable Mentions
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Kenny Dykstra - As much as it hurts me to include this bright young star on this list, he will probably be remembered for nothing more than his days as a cheerleader. What a shame.
Jimmy Wang Yang - Everyone's favorite Asian red-neck (as brought upon by Jim Ross) was a fan favorite, and won matches on occasion. Once a year if he was lucky.
Slam Master J - The artist formerly known as Jesse, repackaged into a white piece of stereotypical trash. His wrestling skills can prove that.
Armando Estrada - Estrada served as a former ECW General Manager and the manager of the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, in his early days. With ECW now cancelled and Umaga's passing, it will be difficult for anyone to remember him now.
Jamie Noble - Noble barely made this list, given that he is a veteran of the business. With the way he went into retirement, I find it a shame he was treated the way he was in his final days.
Simon Dean - I was not a wrestling fan during the time of his tenure, but I can tell you his days on Velocity were nothing to be remembered.
The Highlanders - The team of Robbie and Rory McAllister were weak additions to the tag team division in 2007, returning for only one match in 2008 before being released.
DJ Gabriel - Accompanied by Alicia Fox, Gabriel was a decent wrestler. His lousy disco gimmick is what killed him.
Mark Jindrak - Once apart of Kurt Angle's faction in WWE, Jindrak can now only be found in SmackDown vs. RAW 2006 the video game.
Snitsky - Snitsky had his brief moments on RAW television, but towards the end of his career was only able to pick up minimal wins.
Vito - Who?
Conclusion
12 of 12Tally up your results and see how you did. How many of these guys can you actually recall?
If you can remember nearly all of them, then you can officially call yourself a hardcore fan. Okay, maybe not, but at least pat yourself in the back for recognizing these lovable losers.
Is there anyone you think doesn't deserve to be on this list? Is there anyone you'd like to see added?
Feel free to voice your thoughts below in comments below while watching this hilarious spoof video of Braden Walker. WWE should make a DVD release collecting the careers of these jobbers, which I could imagine would only last a duration of 15 minutes. GSM out.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
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