5 superstars whose true potential we never got to witness

Ah, the things that could have been. There have been thousands and thousands of stars who have come into the pro wrestling business. Some disappear without a trace. Some make an impact within a very short period. Some stay for the long haul and attain legend status. But the most heartbreaking of the lot is the countless individuals who clearly had what it takes to shine in the business but never achieved greatness to their full potential. This can be due to an untimely death, injury, early retirement, etc.

Let's have a look at five such superstars, whose true potential, for varied reasons, we never got to witness.

#5 Corey Graves

Graves during his time in NXT

Today, we know Corey Graves as arguably the best commentator currently employed by the WWE. There's no denying that WWE struck gold when they recognised his speaking skills and hired him as a colour commentator.

But what the WWE Universe missed out on is the star Corey could have been if not for his premature retirement as a wrestler due to successive concussions. His matches in NXT with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, along with tag team bouts alongside Neville are enough to show that he was a skilled performer in the ring. He had a certain look and charisma, along with enviable mic skills, to make it as a superstar.

Unfortunately, Corey as a top wrestler in WWE is probably something we can only wistfully imagine.

#4 Owen Hart

Owen Hart was adored by the fans as well as his peers

One of the greatest tragedies in Pro Wrestling took place on 23 May 1999 when Owen Hart fell from his harness while being lowered into the ring as part of his entrance as 'The Blue Blazer' character.

Even in the infancy of his career, Owen had managed to charm over the audience with his gifted skills. His feud with Bret Hart in 1994-95 is one of the best long-term storylines of all time in WWE. Even backstage, Hart was universally loved by his peers. He was known as a huge prankster and his pranks are the stuff of legend today.

If only he were here today, who knows what could have been. He would perhaps be one of the top babyfaces of the WWE. Then again, we can only guess.

#3 Brian Pillman

The Loose Cannon

Most of us will remember Brian Pillman for the infamous 'Pillman's got a gun' promo with Stone Cold Steve Austin, but there are a lot of other things worth remembering from Pillman's short career in professional wrestling.

Having wrestled for Stampede Wrestling, WCW, ECW as well as the erstwhile WWF, Pillman is remembered mostly for his time in WCW for his 'Loose Cannon' gimmick, where he blurred the line between reality and kayfabe with his 'worked shoots', which was almost unheard of at the time. His character would surely have flourished during the attitude era, had he been around long enough.

Sadly, we will never find out what could have been, as Pillman passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition at the young age of 35.

#2 Chyna

The Ninth Wonder of the World

When Chyna debuted in the WWE in 1997, she was dubbed the Ninth Wonder of the World (Andre the Giant was the eighth) and boy did she look like it. At a time when female competitors in the WWE were mainly there for their looks and sex appeal, Chyna made an impact as the most dominating woman on the roster.

Chyna went on to be an important part of DX, even defeating some of her male counterparts in matches. Unfortunately, her personal issues with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon (a supposed love triangle) led to her being kicked out of the company unceremoniously. From then on began a downward spiral that Chyna could never get out of, with substance and alcohol abuse, stints in the pornographic industry, and only a short stint with NJPW and TNA wrestling. All this tragically culminated in her death due to a drug overdose in April 2016.

One can only imagine the things Chyna could have achieved if not for the unfortunate series of events in her life. After all, Chyna is the woman who laid the foundation for WWE to have physically imposing women like Nia Jax today.

#1 Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan

Is there really anyone else who could have filled the number one spot on this list? Daniel Bryan, in short, is one the best in-ring performers to ever step foot in a pro wrestling ring. The fact that he was forced to retire due to injury at the ripe age of 35 is nothing less than a tragedy.

Within his short tenure in the WWE of 6-7 years, he managed to win over and enthral the WWE Universe like no one before him. The fact that the main event of WrestleMania had to be changed due to fan backlash about his exclusion, says it all. He shined in every role he was made to play, whether a babyface or a heel. Nothing in recent memory can truly match the reaction he got when he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.

Recently though, there has been a lot of buzz about his in-ring return. He's one of the betting odd favourites to win the Royal Rumble, with Betting sites confirming that there has been talks of his in-ring return. Let's just say that if he does return, there will be no place for literally anyone else as the top babyface of the company other than him. The WWE Universe will definitely see to that.