5 WWE storylines that were meant for other Superstars

The Shield dominated after debuting at Survivor Series 2012, though the original line-up didn't include Roman Reigns.
The Shield dominated after debuting at Survivor Series 2012, though the original line-up didn't include Roman Reigns.

Throughout the history of WWE, there have been good storylines and bad storylines.

In the good column, we have 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's feud against Mr. McMahon, the debut of the Shield, the new Daniel Bryan and plenty more.

Whilst on the bad side, we have Hornswoggle being the Anonymous RAW GM, Gene Snitsky punting a baby, and Al Snow eating his own dog.

But sometimes, the WWE has a great storyline planned, and everyone on board, only to change their minds at the very last minute.

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Though the reasons vary greatly, sometimes the company will give a huge storyline from one wrestler to another.

Here are five storylines that were meant for other WWE Superstars, and the reasons why the company changed their mind.


#5: Mickie James' original obsession

James would capture her first women's championship by defeating her idol at WrestleMania 22.
James would capture her first women's championship by defeating her idol at WrestleMania 22.

Mickie James' debut on the WWE main roster was certainly unique to say the least.

Appearing as the super-fan of Trish Stratus, James would often assist the Canadian in matches, something the Stratus was happy to exploit.

As James' devotion turned to obsession though, Stratus became more concerned and uncomfortable, and after rejecting Mickie's advances, was betrayed, and faced her former fanatic at WrestleMania 22.

Originally though, it wasn't Trish who was going to be James' target, but Lita instead.

Speaking on a 2017 edition of Lilian Garcia's podcast, the singer-songwriter said how she didn't know Trish before the angle, but she did no Lita.

Originally pitching the idea to Lita, the Team Xtreme Superstar was on board, but since Lita was a heel at the time (aligned with Edge), it made little sense to have James work with her.

#4: Hogan's WrestleMania X8 opponent

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Vs. Hulk Hogan remains one of the biggest WWE matches that never happened.
'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Vs. Hulk Hogan remains one of the biggest WWE matches that never happened.

At WrestleMania X8, Hollywood Hulk Hogan faced the people's champion, The Rock, in a true meeting of icons.

Hogan had dominated wrestling during the 80s and early 90s, though The Rock had become the champion of the modern generation.

And though it was the Brahma Bull who toppled Hogan that night, that match wasn't the original plan.

Instead, Hogan was originally scheduled to face 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, a match that would have also been a meeting of two icons.

Reasons, why the match was changed, vary greatly, from the company being unable to decide a winner, to Austin feeling the match wouldn't be good.

Whilst the Hogan-Rock match is truly iconic, it does mean fans missed out on one of the biggest dream matches of all time.

#3: Rollins, Ambrose, and Ohno?

Roman Reigns wasn't originally planned to be a part of the Shield, according to CM Punk.
Roman Reigns wasn't originally planned to be a part of the Shield, according to CM Punk.

At Survivor Series 2012, the WWE Universe bore witness to a new faction.

Later christened the Shield, some fans were already familiar with the likes of Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins from their indie days, though it was the previously unknown Roman Reigns who had fans talking.

According to CM Punk, who retained the WWE Championship thanks to the shocking debut of the team, Reigns wasn't the original third man.

Instead, that dubious distinction was supposed to go to current NXT Superstar Kassius Ohno, who many fans would've known from his independent name Chris Hero.

Punk claimed he came up with the idea of aligning himself with the Shield as a new Four Horsemen, as the trio of young stars would've aimed to keep the WWE Title on the Straight Edge Superstar.

#2: The original Game

The death of Owen Hart is arguably the darkest day in wrestling.
The death of Owen Hart is arguably the darkest day in wrestling.

In 1997, Owen Hart was at a crossroads.

After his older brother, Bret had been screwed out of the company in Montreal, Owen was forced to stick with the WWF, later teaming with Jeff Jarrett.

Re-emerging as the Blue Blazer after that, the plan was for Owen to rip off the superhero mask, declare he was sick of this act and go back to being an arrogant heel.

The company even had a nickname for this new tougher Owen: The Game.

Obviously, Hart's tragic death at Over the Edge 1999 put an end to that, though the idea of the Game was too good to leave.

Later that year, Triple H would cut a promo, speaking about being held back by the company for years, telling everyone he wasn't just playing this game, he was The Game.

#1: An Olympic sized streak-breaking

Kurt Angle was ready to make the Streak 13-1 before plans changed in 2006.
Kurt Angle was ready to make the Streak 13-1 before plans changed in 2006.

There is perhaps no moment more shocking in the past five years, than when Brock Lesnar conquered The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania.

For over 20 years, the Deadman had dominated at the showcase of the immortals, so to see him conquered, so decisively too, was a shocking sight.

But originally, the plan wasn't for Lesnar to end the streak, as many had been offered the deed before.

Randy Orton turned down the chance to do it in 2005 out of respect, and the Deadman himself wanted to have Kurt Angle break it at WrestleMania 22 in 2006.

Instead, the company had Kurt Angle lose his World Heavyweight Championship to Rey Mysterio, which also featured the legend killer, leaving the phenom of the WWE crush Mark Henry in a casket match that same night.

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Edited by Shiven Sachdeva
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