WWE has had some memorable factions throughout its history. Although, the importance rendered to them is not as elevated as in Japanese promotions, where virtually every member of the roster is part of one, or in AEW, where the case is similar.
Factions provide a great opportunity to elevate future stars, and WWE has constantly used the idea in the 21st century with memorable examples such as Evolution, The New Day, The Shield, and unloved instances such as The Social Outcasts, 3MB, and The Corre (sorry, Heath Slater).
Becoming a member of a major faction can change the course of a rising star's career. However, plans frequently alter in WWE, and superstars have at times been originally considered to join a faction, only for the strategy to be shifted soon after. Therefore, these superstars had to miss out on being part of truly major groups and their memorable marks on the history of the company.
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Some of them eventually recovered from the loss and created a legacy for themselves, and some withered and gradually vanished from the WWE roster.
Here is a list of five WWE superstars who were originally considered to be part of some of the most notable factions in the company's history.
#5 Former WCW and WWE star Mark Jindrak: Evolution
Mark Jindrak has created an appreciable career for himself in Mexico, where he is a CMLL regular and former champion under the ring name Marco Corleone. But he could have been a world-famous name if WWE decided him good enough for Evolution.
WWE initially did think he fit for the group and vignettes were filmed with Jindrak, Orton, Flair, and Triple H. Nevertheless, the spot finally went to Batista, who became a successful wrestler before turning his focus to Hollywood. Jindrak faded into obscurity and moved on to lucha libre.
#4 Luchasaurus: The Wyatt Family
Luchasaurus isn't exactly the name one thinks of while discussing WWE and potential members for The Wyatt Family. A member of a babyface faction of AEW, Luchasaurus doesn't seem to match the shady contours of the Bray Wyatt-led faction. Nevertheless, he was once a part of WWE NXT under the ring name Judas Devlin.
Devlin posted cryptic tweets, confirming his admiration for Bray Wyatt. According to the popular AEW star, he even took part in several promos alongside Bray Wyatt in the presence of Dusty Rhodes. However, he suffered a hip injury, leading to modifications in the plan.
#3 Former WWE United States Champion Baron Corbin: The Wyatt Family
During an interview, Judas Devlin/Luchasaurus let it slip that he was not the only WWE NXT star in contention to join the faction led by Bray Wyatt. Baron Corbin, who currently appreciates his prosperous lifestyle as Happy Corbin, was the other wrestler to try out.
Corbin, as a component of The Wyatt Family, would not have been too outrageous. He exhibited a dark aura in his NXT and early main roster days before turning into a more comic heel character. As a member of The Wyatt Family, The Lone Wolf could have found even more success.
#2 Former NWA, WWE, and UFC star Dan Severn: The Ministry Of Darkness
The Ministry Of Darkness was one of the darkest storylines ever cultivated by WWE. Led by the most devilish and supernatural version of The Undertaker, the Ministry left no stone unturned to achieve its evil objectives. Rituals and sacrifices became an intermittent occurrence during the faction's existence.
Dan Severn took professional wrestling as seriously as MMA and found much success in the old-school style of NWA. WWE, however, had different plans for him. Severn was asked to join The Ministry Of Darkness. The old-school Severn was livid at the suggestion of enlisting in a cult faction and promptly refused.
#1 Former WWE NXT star Kassius Ohno: The Shield
The resounding success of The Shield has instigated the birth of numerous origin rumors. However, the most logical of them is that of Kassius Ohno being pitched as a potential member of the faction at one point. CM Punk formulated a faction of WWE superstars with independent backgrounds, and Ohno was, and still is, one of the most sought-after independent wrestlers in the world.
The idea of Ohno, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose forming a faction to shield Punk had to be altered. Vince McMahon wanted former football star Roman Reigns to join the group instead. Ohno remained in WWE NXT for some time and was used to put over future stars.
The Shield went on to create history and its members eventually achieved individual success as well.