10 WWE Contracts That Were A Total Waste Of Money

WWE has made the mistake countless times of hiring a name that they believe is going to do big numbers for the company that never seems to really pan out. It can be someone who was a huge prospect and signed to a ridiculous deal that just didn't get as over with the crowd as hoped for, or a name that just hasn't been seen on television at all minus a few appearances.

These wrestler's contracts are no indication of their in-ring ability, most of these stars have proven they are genuinely great at what they do, their talent was just seemingly wasted or were picked up at the wrong time with little to no training and backing behind them. So let's look over some of the most wasted contracts that WWE ever gave out.

Sin Cara

Sin Cara was a star while working in CMLL under the name Mistico. So once WWE got their eyes on him, it wasn't long before he would become a part of the WWE roster. Mistico would sign a contract with the company in 2011 after a huge press conference announcing the signing was held in Mexico City.

It became a running joke of Sin Cara's work in WWE, with the superstar often messing up moves, suffering multiple injuries, and wellness program violations. Sin Cara would be a part of the promotion from 2011 to 2014, but wouldn't find much success before leaving and returning to Mexico.

Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones was the spitting image of the kind of wrestler Vince McMahon would want on his roster. Jones would have an impressive track record before joining WWE, becoming a multiple-time weightlifting champion and gold medalist. He would sign with WWE in 2002 and immediately vignettes hyping up his arrival started airing.

Hopes were high for "The Colossus of Boggo Road" before WrestleMania plans were changed for him and eventually, Jones grew tired of the rigorous schedule and traveling that WWE stars endure. Nathan Jones would quit just a year after debuting and would retire from wrestling shortly afterwards.

Buff Bagwell

Buff Bagwell would have a decent career in WCW working alongside the New World Order and teaming with Scott Steiner regularly. After WCW was purchased by WWE, Bagwell would accept a buy-out of his contract and signed with WWE in 2001.

Buff would have only a few appearances including a test match to make WCW a brand within WWE against Booker T before being fired. Bagwell would be told he was being let go due to behavior issues and accusations that he faked an injury to get some time off. He would only last in the company that year and hasn't been seen on WWE screens since.

David Hart Smith

Might be a shocker to find out that one-third of the former Hart Dynasty, David Hart Smith, actually returned to WWE back in 2020. He would appear on The Bump and After The Bell speaking about inducting his father The British Bulldog into the WWE Hall of Fame.

He would get to wrestle a dark match with SmackDown in July 2021, signing a contract with the company right afterward. Smith would be released in November of that same year before getting a chance to even wrestle on television.

Vader

WCW legend Vader would finally make his arrival at WWE in 1996. Vader would be hyped up for weeks leading into the 1996 Royal Rumble, where he would eliminate four superstars before being eliminated by the eventual winner Shawn Michaels.

Vader would take some time off due to a shoulder injury before returning and getting to wrestle at WrestleMania and have a program with Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship. Vader wouldn't achieve anything notable in the company before leaving and returning to All Japan Pro Wrestling where he would quickly win the Triple Crown Title.

Kharma

One of the most influential and important Knockouts in Impact Wrestling history would join WWE in 2011 as Kharma. She would debut and start attacking Michelle McCool and others, before announcing that she was pregnant and needed to take some time away from the company.

Upon her return, she would be the third woman to enter the men's Royal Rumble with her 2012 appearance. She would confirm that she was released by WWE, only having one match under her belt for WWE but stated she was interested in returning.

Scott Hall

Scott Hall would return to WWE alongside his nWo partners Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash in 2002. The nWo would attack Stone Cold Steve Austin resulting in Hall getting a match against the Rattlesnake at the showcase. Hall would suffer his first WrestleMania loss to Austin before getting drafted to Monday Night Raw after the event.

Hall would be a part of the infamous "Plane Ride From Hell" altercation in which he was accused of inappropriate behavior toward flight attendants. Hall would be let go after the event due to ongoing issues from his substance abuse problems.

Gable Steveson

The Olympic Gold medalist Gable Steveson would sign a contract with WWE in September 2021 after making a quick appearance at SummerSlam the month prior. Former WWE/Impact Wrestling star Mr. Kennedy confirmed he was training with Steveson in July 2022.

Steveson was a part of the 2021 WWE Draft moving to Monday Night Raw, but wouldn't make an appearance until WrestleMania 38. Despite signing with the company two years ago, Steveson still has yet to have an official match with the company.

Mark Henry

Mark Henry's initial deal with the WWE didn't start off on the best foot. After competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics, Henry would be signed to a ten-year contract with WWE starting with a feud against Jerry Lawler. Within his first year, he would have to take a long break from WWE healing from injuries, and train a bit more.

Upon his return, he would start the Nation of Domination storyline and his eventual turn into Sexual Chocolate. Things took a turn when he was sent down to Ohio Valley Wrestling to improve his wrestling skills in 2000. WWE wouldn't start to see a real return on investment until 2002, when Henry won the 2002 Arnold Classic Strongman Competition.

Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior's initial run with WWE was a massive success, getting Warrior to Hogan levels of popularity with fans. His 1996 return would be where mistakes were made between the two parties. Warrior would return at WrestleMania 12 beating Hunter Hearst Helmsley in 1:39 before moving into a feud with Intercontinental Champion Goldust.

Warrior would be released from the company later that year after no-showing multiple house show events and arguing with Vince McMahon over merchandise percentages and owed money. Warrior wouldn't appear in WWE until his Hall of Fame induction in 2014.