Top 5 most evolved superstars in WWE

Triple H defines character evolution in pro-wrestling

The theme song of one of the most celebrated stables in WWE may suggest that Evolution is a mystery. But when it comes to the WWE superstars, digging up some of their history is enough to let us know how much they've evolved during their career. From struggling to get a chance in WWE to being one of the top names in the business, most of the superstars have a story to tell when it comes to their journey. The current roster is also not shy of interesting stories when it comes to the development of superstars. So here is a look at some of the superstars who has evolved so much during their wrestling career, that they put Darwin's theory into doubt.

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#5 Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt might’ve not gone through many phases like the remaining names on the list, but he did have a great evolution in the short career that he has had so far.

Being a third generation superstar, Bray used his real name initially to start his career alongside his brother Taylor Rotunda (Bo Dallas) at FCW. He had some success as being part of the tag team with his brother before he became a competitor in NXT.

His Husky Harris gimmick, however, didn’t stick with the fans and he didn’t even find success with CM Punk as his leader.

He was repackaged to FCW after the disastrous run as Harris. He soon claimed his previous gimmick and started teaming up with his brother before embarking on a singles run. He also decided to take up a masked hockey player which didn’t see the television.

A disappointed Bray then figured out the Wyatt character and took a big leap in his evolution as a superstar making him a main event player in just below a year. Over the course of his main roster run, his career has hit ups and downs, with the latter being more prominent. Fans have criticised WWE for booking Bray Wyatt and wasting a talent with huge potential.

Despite having a WWE title run, it was mostly forgettable. However, given the fact that Bray Wyatt is very young, one can only hope his career trajectory moves upwards.

#4 Daniel Bryan

Bryan’s evolution as a wrestler started off from his days in Indy circuit. Fresh from Shawn Michael’s wrestling school; he became the American Dragon which gave him a lot of exposure and a developmental deal with WWE.

However, Bryan soon broke out of the gimmick and turned into someone who showed his metal inside the ring at Ring of Honor and Chikara.

When he reached WWE, he was transformed into a rookie in NXT who had to keep up with his arrogant pro, the Miz. He had a brief stint as part of the Nexus before being fired by the company. In his next spell in WWE, he turned into a lighter character that had success with the championships and the girls.

Then came the fun time with Hell No after which he just rose to stardom as the Underdog who wanted to take the system down. After a forced retirement for two years, he finally made a comeback in 2018, where he now performs as a full-time competitor again. Daniel Bryan has been through several different phases of his career.

#3 JBL

The man who keeps the commentary interesting has gone through a lot of phases before he started tickling our funny bones.

He debuted as a cowboy managed by Zeb Colter in the mid-90s. The run didn’t bear anything for him so he turned into a tag team with Bray Wyatt’s uncle. The team was known as the blackjacks and was an extension of JBL’s previous cowboy gimmicks.

He then would become part of the famous APA alongside Farooq and enjoyed some success being the beer drinking expandable. The biggest phase of his career came next where he took up a capitalist image which was opposite to his gimmick till now.

That gimmick gave him a great main event run and it carried him until the end of his in ring before he decided to take up the microphone. He too has taken a backseat, transitioning away from WWE in favour of charity work outside.

#2 Kane

Kane’s masked incarnation maybe the one which sticks most with the fans but he has done many thing which proved his versatility. He had some pretty bizarre gimmick during the start of his career including Dr. Isaac Yankeem and fake diesel before making it as Undertaker’s step brother.

From there, he wrestled with the mask and without the masks in various part of the roster. He had a destructive tag team run with his brother and then turned on him playing a great heel.

Kane then had an upper midcard singles run which saw him become a midcard champion. The monster then turned into lover monster with Lita before embarking on tag success with some partners.

We also got to see the lighter side of Kane when he teamed up with Daniel Bryan for Hell No after which he donned the corporate Kane gimmick. And now, he's taken a backseat, mostly focusing on his political career with the occasional WWE appearance.

#1 Triple H

Arguably the most evolved superstar in the current roster, Hunter came a long way into becoming the COO of WWE.

Hunter started off his career as a French intellect and soon transformed into "Connecticut Blueblood”, Hunter Hearst Helmsley. It didn’t, however, find much a success and soon he began to build up some backstage influence by being part of the Kliq.

However, the biggest change in his career came when Hunter decided to be a degenerate that was an integral part of Attitude Era. If that wasn’t enough, he then took up the image of a husband who wanted to get rid of his in-laws during the McMahon-Helmsley storyline.

Next stage of Hunter’s career came in form of Evolution where he established himself as a leader of the decorated group and becoming the singles competitor that fell in love with the WWE championship.

After all those, Hunter now projects as a part-time wrestler and a responsive worker for WWE and looking back, he clearly has travelled a lot to reach there.

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