Sometimes not everything can go to plan, especially in the world of professional wrestling and specifically in WWE. Whether it be controversy, injuries, or simply the mind of Vince McMahon which can change five times in a minute, there have often been a change in plans when it comes to storylines.
Due to a variety of factors, WWE had to bring a halt to several storylines in the 2010s – sometimes this was for the best too when it came to storylines that weren’t too entertaining, though at times it was unfortunate and left loose ends to some sagas, which was frustrating for many WWE fans.
10 Dean Ambrose Vs. Nia Jax Intergender Feud
In 2019, a rare intergender feud began between Dean Ambrose and Nia Jax, which was quite a unique scenario but one fans were interested in due to it being different. However, aside from a brief face off, the storyline didn’t go anywhere and it was stopped.
Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio revealed why; “The reason they pulled the plug on that was because there was a feeling that if they buried him with Nia Jax, it would reverse and he would become a martyr.” (H/T Sportskeeda)Ambrose was on his way out of WWE, so WWE didn’t want to give him momentum.
9 The Nexus Vs. The Undertaker
At Bragging Rights 2010, The Nexus attacked The Undertaker, costing him a match with Kane. This was supposed to lead to a Wade Barrett vs. Undertaker match, but due to Barrett’s dwindling momentum, it was scrapped.
WWE instead opted to have Undertaker face Triple H at WrestleMania 27, whilst Barrett was shunned to the sidelines. It saw no progression after the initial attack and ambush.
8 CM Punk Leaving With The WWE Championship
CM Punk won the WWE Title and left the company in storyline following Money in the Bank 2011, and for around a week or so he took the title to a variety of different places in what was supposed to be a months-long angle of him being out of the company but holding the belt.
However, due to Punk’s popularity and the want to boost ratings and merch sales, WWE brought him back to TV just two weeks later, ruining what could have been a legendary and very unique storyline.
7 Finn Balor As The First Universal Champion
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Finn Balor’s call-up from NXT saw him receive a mega push, becoming the first Universal Champion in 2016 in what many believed would be a great run as a fighting babyface champion.
However, an injury suffered during his title win put an abrupt stop to his storyline as champion. It was a shame as WWE never returned to him as a champion once he returned from his injury, even though it would have been a strong underdog redemption arc.
6 CM Punk Vs. The Authority
CM Punk entered a feud with The Authority around the start of 2014, and it saw him get eliminated from the Royal Rumble by Kane. This was supposed to lead to a WrestleMania 30 match against Triple H.
However, CM Punk walked out of WWE amidst many frustrations following the Rumble match, and it led to his storyline with Triple H being canceled. On the bright side, it did open up Bryan to a match with Triple H, which in turn led to him winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania.
5 Anonymous Raw General Manager
For months and months, Monday Night Raw was controlled by a laptop. The Anonymous Raw General Manager was a character who fans were desperate to see revealed, but after a while it became clear that WWE didn’t have a plan for who this was.
Eventually, the laptop was gone and WWE pushed forwards without any mention of who this mysterious character even was and where they went, making the whole thing a big old waste of time.
4 “Sister Abigail” Bray Wyatt Vs. “Pumpkin” Finn Balor
Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor feuded in 2017, having a few matches here and there on Raw and then at both the SummerSlam and No Mercy PPV events. Their feud was supposed to culminate at TLC, with Bray Wyatt bringing out his Sister Abigail alter ego for the first and only time, and Balor sporting a pumpkin themed “Demon”.
Due to an illness suffered by Wyatt, their match was canceled and the feud wasn’t returned upon Wyatt’s comeback.
3 Shane McMahon’s Lockbox
Shane McMahon’s shocking return in 2016 saw him tease a “lockbox” which would rock WWE and Vince McMahon, and this allowed him to try and earn a chance at controlling Raw.
WWE never revealed the contents of the lockbox, and it isn’t entirely clear why this storyline was stopped.
2 Dean Ambrose Debut Feud Vs. Mick Foley
Before Dean Ambrose was even considered for a spot in The Shield, his main roster call-up was already being planned, and his debut would’ve come against Mick Foley. The pair began a feud, using social media to add realism to it.
Unfortunately, Foley was unable to get cleared to compete due to the damage his body had taken over the years, and the storyline and match were brought to a halt and never revisited.
1 Daniel Bryan’s Announcement
During Daniel Bryan’s run as the heel vegan warrior in 2018 and 2019, he teased a career-changing announcement that would take place on SmackDown, though it was pushed back and pushed back, and eventually never happened.
WWE instead changed their mind and wanted Bryan to turn babyface again, and he did so during a storyline in which Erick Rowan attacked Roman Reigns in a hit and run. It was strange to tease a storyline which supposedly had big implications, though it was never resolved.