5 unbelievable ways WWE superstars got over 

Can WWE superstars find more unbelievable ways to become extremely popular?
Can WWE superstars find more unbelievable ways to become extremely popular?

One of the hardest things to do in life is to make a good first impression. From pitching our proposals at work to carrying ourselves with confidence around people, we are all looking to impress in many different areas of our life as we can. Life is sometimes tricky if you can't get people to notice you.

So, let's take that logic and apply it to professional wrestling. What we discover is that the life of a WWE Superstar is harder than it might seem, as there are so many questions these superstars have to answer every week.

How do these stars stay relevant? How do they keep their character fresh? It's a nearly impossible task when you start to analyse it, but these seasoned entertainers know the business thoroughly.

However, what happens when these 'Superstars' fail to entertain their target audience? Well, sometimes they fall into a pit of obscurity that is extremely difficult to escape. Therefore, today, I wanted to analyse some of the more unconventional ways our favorite wrestlers managed to avoid falling in that pit.

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#5 The Oscar-Winning Stunt Double

Can we please have quiet on the set?
Can we please have quiet on the set?

Damien Sandow played a by-the-numbers textbook heel that we have witnessed others portray time and again in the past. Whether it was Triple H playing an aristocrat or Willam Regal embodying a snobbish Englishman, Sandow was no different from these versions.

However, WWE seemed to value Sandow's character at the time, and shocked the world by making him Mr. Money in the Bank 2013. It was even more surprising when Sandow failed to cash in the contract against a one-armed John Cena on an episode of Raw a few months later.

Sandow's dreams of becoming World Champion and being relevant looked bleak. Nevertheless, sometimes commitment gives you a second chance, as Sandow's partnership with The Miz in 2014/2015 made him one of the most popular acts in the company.

But before becoming the famed stunt double 'Damien Mizdow', Sandow played a variety of characters such as Magneto, Sherlock Holmes, Bruce Springsteen, Abraham Lincoln and even Vince McMahon himself, just to name a few. However, it was the lovable stunt double of the self-proclaimed "A-lister" in The Miz that gave Sandow a new connection with the WWE Universe.

WWE did not predict Sandow's rise to the top, as he just showed up every week, not knowing if his act was going to be a long term thing. He simply went to the ring with The Miz and literally copied every move The Miz did. The Miz threw a punch, Mizdow threw a punch. The Miz fell down, Mizdown fell down - even if it meant falling off the ring apron.

Sandow's rise to superstardom taught us never to quit too early, because you never know when you will catch a break.

#4 Talk The Talk

The unofficial wrestling holiday.
The unofficial wrestling holiday.

How does a catchphrase boost a wrestler's career? Trying to explain the answer to someone that is not a pro-wrestling fan is somewhat of a mission, as the little things that make this sport special are hard to describe.

Therefore, it's tough to explain the rise of 'Rusev Day' in 2017, as the former US Champion was drifting away backstage before he coined his memorable catchphrase. WWE probably thought that Rusev's success would see him go on a mini hot streak that would slow down once fans got bored of the trend.

youtube-cover

However, Rusev's popularity only increased from that point onwards, as fans all over the world started to appreciate Rusev and his partner Aiden English. This prosperity saw Rusev receive countless titles opportunities, and the biggest one out of them all was a shot at the WWE Title. Even though Rusev's rise to the top could have been handled better, one can't deny that his rise wasn't bizarre.


#2 The List

This man got a pen and paper over, let that sink in.
This man got a pen and paper over, let that sink in.

Chris Jericho is a wrestler that could get a broom over if he wrestled it in front of twenty thousand fans. Jericho has been entertaining fans for decades, and while many would expect Jericho to slow down at this stage of his career, "Y2J" is only getting started.

The reason for Jericho's recent renaissance has to be his program with Kevin Owens in 2016-2017. This story consisted of memorable moments such as the Festival of Friendship segment, Jericho suspended inside the shark cage, and the battle for the US Title at WrestleMania.

However, Jericho and Owens struck gold with 'the List of Jericho' - essentially a list of people who made Jericho mad. This has to be the most unbelievable way Jericho got over, as 'Y2J' worked his magic using a pen and notepad to make himself the most famous star in the company.

You don't believe it? You don't. Do you know what happens to people who don't believe it. Do you? *pen click*

#2 Broadcast Yourself

Woo Woo Woo!
Woo Woo Woo!

Zack Ryder might be one of WWE's biggest missed opportunities. The "Long Island Ice Z" was undoubtedly one of the hottest stars in professional wrestling back in 2010 thanks to social media. Some of you might find that hard to believe, as Ryder is nothing more than midcarder these days, but things could have been different.

Ryder's unlikely rise was something WWE never anticipated, and as time went on it seemed like the compnay had no plans to capitalise on his popularity. Ryder reached fans through his YouTube channel, and it's fair to say that his content was a hit with the masses in the early days of social media.

Ryder was white-hot during this time, and this saw him reach the peak of that fame by capturing the US Title. However, Ryder's run fizzled out after he was booked in a narrative with John Cena, Eve Torres, and Kane. Nevertheless, getting over via Youtube back in 2010 was unheard of, and at least Zack can say he was one of the very first to do so.


#5 Ice Ice Cena

Who would've thought that a 'wannabe' rapper would become one of the most celebrated wrestling personalities of all time?
Who would've thought that a 'wannabe' rapper would become one of the most celebrated wrestling personalities of all time?

John Cena might be the most polarizing figure in WWE history, as the 16-time World Champion is adored and hated 17 years after his debut. Cena's first appearance was one of the reasons for his success in the industry, as his brawl with Kurt Angle helped cement him as a competent wrestler.

However, if Cena lacked one thing at that point in his career, it was personality. Well, the WWE Universe could never foretell how Cena would discover his wrestling character, as a Halloween edition of Smackdown back in 2002 changed the landscape of WWE forever.

Cena cosplayed as rapper and TV house repair guru Vanilla Ice dropping his bars for the guests in attendance to appreciate. While things didn't go to plan for Cena on that night, no one would imagine that Cena would take this gimmick to the main event. A place where he thrived as the top dog in WWE for a very long time.

Can you think of any other strange and unusual ways wrestlers got themselves over with the crowd? Post your suggestions in the comments below.


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Edited by Kevin Christopher Sullivan
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