5 WWE characters that were meant for someone else

In the WWE, a Superstar lives or dies by being able to get their gimmick 'over'. If you can, and you prove to be a popular act, then you can enjoy a long, successful career, with maybe a few titles along the way.

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If you can't though, well, you won't make it long in the WWE. Look at The Undertaker for example, who in 1990 was given the gimmick of an undead mortician, but through the skill and determination of 'Mean' Mark Calaway, has become arguably the greatest character of all time.

And across the history of the WWE, there have been good gimmicks, bad gimmicks, downright weird gimmicks, and even gimmicks that were meant for somebody else.

Here are five WWE gimmicks that were meant for someone else, and why the WWE had a change of plans.

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#5: The Higher Power

Austin's tormentor was revealed to be Vince McMahon, in one of the WWE's dumbest swerves.

In 1999, The Undertaker and Paul Bearer revealed they were taking instructions from someone more dangerous than them. Someone so evil, they were able to control both the Corporation, as well as the Ministry of Darkness.

With this Higher Power ruling over him, the Deadman was truly indestructible, crushing Stone Cold Steve Austin, before it was revealed to be the recently face-turned Vince McMahon, who did all of this just to annoy the Rattlesnake.

Originally though, the Higher Power could've been Christopher Daniels, as the future TNA star was a big favourite of then WWF writer, Vince Russo.

For whatever reason, Daniels never signed with the WWE, despite having his first taste of stardom in WCW and ECW, and would become one of the longest tenuring stars in TNA Wrestling years later.

#4: The Anonymous RAW GM

The Anonymous RAW General Manager ruled WWE with an iron fist for months.

When the anonymous RAW General Manager appeared, fans wondered who the mystery person would be.

Communicating only via e-mails on a laptop, the GM would often cite classic quotes from former Superstars such as Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper and Bret 'Hitman' Hart, making fans wonder which legend it would be.

One name that was rumoured to be revealed as GM was Kevin Nash, whom, with his past creative control in WCW, made perfect sense as the heel authority often stacking the deck against the faces.

Ultimately, it never worked out, and Nash returned at the Summerslam 2011 pay per view, with Hornswoggle of all people being revealed as the anonymous GM years later, a throwaway joke that was much worse when you consider the massive impact the Anonymous RAW GM had had.

#3: Jeff Hardy’s attacker

Jeff's attacked would be revealed as big brother Matt at the 2009 Royal Rumble.

When Jeff Hardy found himself being attacked by a mystery assailant in late 2008, speculation was running wild.

Hardy was one of the most popular stars on SmackDown and was closing in on becoming WWE Champion, so there was no shortage of suspects who would’ve benefitted from the demise of the Charismatic Enigma.

One suspect was Christian, who was scheduled to return after an incredible run in Impact and would’ve assisted his partner Edge, who had been feuding with Hardy over the WWE Championship.

Whilst this would’ve made Christian a sadistic heel, and possibly his most interesting ever, WWE instead had Matt Hardy turn on his brother, with Captain Charisma instead returning as a babyface in ECW, winning the extreme brand's championship at Backlash 2009, before becoming World Champion on SmackDown himself, two years later.

#2: The third Shield member

The Shield made their main roster debut at Survivor Series 2012, helping CM Punk retain his title.

When the Shield debuted at Survivor Series 2012, fans were rightly shocked.

Never before had the fans seen such dominance from the revamped NXT bleed into the main roster, and Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have all gone on to great things since. But originally, it was not the Big Dog booked to be the third man, instead, it was Kassius Ohno.

The original plan was to have the former Chris Hero debut with the group, who were going to be the hitmen of then WWE Champion CM Punk, who had just surpassed a year as champion.

However, issues arose between WWE and Ohno, who left the company not long after, with Reigns taking his place, and becoming one of WWE's biggest stars in recent years.

#1: Mickie's victim

James won her first Women's Championship at WrestleMania 22.

Nearly 14 years after her debut in WWE, Mickie James continues to be one of the most talented women on the entire roster.

Debuting in late 2005 as a fanatic of Trish Stratus, Mickie would eventually turn on her hero, capturing the Women's Championship from the Hall of Famer at WrestleMania 22 in 2006.

The story is fondly remembered by fans and was even mentioned when the pair faced off in last year's Women's Royal Rumble but was not what the master of the Mick Kick had in mind.

Pitching the idea in 2005, James definitely wanted to keep the stalking angle but wanted her fixation to be on Lita, instead of Stratus. Whilst it's never been clarified why the change was made, the story certainly worked, with all three women being considered some of the greatest ever.