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The Evolution The WWE is all about all out entertainment and these days and The New Day is surely living up to their potential by being the best thing on WWE TV. A few months back they were three singles competitors who were rotting at the bottom of the pack, but the repackaged stable bought them back into the limelight.It is still early stages to judge whether Big E or Xavier Woods could go on to attain singles success as Kofi has already tasted in his career, but it sure looks promising. In the past too there have been some legendary stables like The Four horsemen , Evolution, D Generation X, The Hart Foundation just to name a few who were instrumental in creating a long lasting image on how a perfectly cool stable should be. Today we have the New Day and the shield who are the epitome of all the values laid down by those set of legends.The most glaring fact about those stables was that it was formed as a way to introduce and utilize superstars with potential to go on to be legends in their own singular right, and in most cases one or more exceptionally talented superstar from the stable went on to prove his credentials as a bonafide main eventer.In this slideshow, we take a look at those stars who shined brightly not only being part of some legendary stables but stood out of the pack and went on to carve out some sucessful singles careers.
#1 Ric Flair - The Four Horsemen
If you ask any pro wrestling legend or a fanatic or even the current generation of stables who was the best and most influential stable in the history of the WWE, there would be only one answer and that is The Four Horsemen.
Led by the charismatic Nature Boy Ric Flair, the original Horsemen consisted of Arn Anderson, Ole Anderon, Tully Blanchard and Jame J.Dillon as their manager. They had it all, swag, oozing coolness, sophistication and a hell lot of talent to back it up. But from amongst the four, there was just one exceptionally talented superstar who went to attain legendary status as a singles competitor and no prizes for guessing who that is.
Ric Flair not only went to have a singles career but also surpassed many records on his way, with his Championships record being the stuff of legends. He was a wrestler made of a different cloth it seemed and he had what it took to make it big all on his own. Even today he is a regular on WWE TV and is one of the most respected legends in the business.
It has to be noted that Ric Flair made it big before The Four horsemen was formed, but he makes this list for the sheer magnitude of his accomplishments as a singles star and a faction member of a once in a lifetime stable
#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin - Dangerous Allaince
Long before we knew Paul Heyman as the trash talking advocate of The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar, he was famously known as Paul E Dangerously, who was the loud-mouthed manager who would just not stop talking.
During his WCW days, he put together a formidable alliance that included Rick Rude, Madusa, Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, Larry Zybsyzko and ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin. They were a great heel group led by a genius in Paul and had notable feuds with Sting and Ricky steamboat. After the downfall of WCW, the stars of the stable were picked up by the WWE and again the standout in the stable is no surprise.
Steve Austin started off as ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin, but as the character did not get much mileage, he was repackaged as the trash talking, beer guzzling anti-hero Stone Cold. And what followed was what we would tell our kids whenever they say John Cena is the greatest of all. He was the best thing about the Attitude Era with Rock and Vince of course, that catapulted the promotion to the heights of popularity that they did not even dream of.
He had the skills in the ring and the mic and his character is one of the most memorable ones ever in the WWE.
#3 Dolph Ziggler- The Spirit Squad
The Spirit Squad was an awful gimmick, to say the least, as there is no chance in hell an all-male cheerleader sort of a gimmick is going to click with the crowd. Never the less the WWE tried pushing the talented bunch of individuals but failed.
The stable consisted of Kenny, Mikey, Johnny, Mitch and Nicky. As most of them were released, there was one star who turned out to be the silver lining from the group and that superstar is none other than WWE’s resident ‘Show Off’ Dolph Ziggler.
What initially seemed, as a rip off of the Billy Gunn and Shawn Michael gimmick, turned out pretty good indeed as Dolph proved day in and out that he had the talent to succeed individually. Known as Nicky in the aforementioned stable, Ziggler got over with the crowd because of his incredible ability to sell a move and his cockiness. He is regarded as an underrated asset but has quite a few accolades to his fame as he is a noteworthy Intercontinental Champion with many memorable reigns under his belt. He is also a former World Heavyweight Champion.
Even today he is one of the most over stars on the WWE roster.
#4 Triple H - D Generation X
D-Generation X ticked all the boxes of what a cool and hip stable should be. It consisted originally of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chyna and Rick Rude and later on saw Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac in its ranks.
Although HBK was already a household name at that time, the stable proved to be the launch pad for the greatness of Triple H. The Game almost saw his career going bust with his Hunter Hearst Helmsley character until he aligned with Shawn.
Triple H thrived in the persona of being in the gang of rebels and quickly got over with the fans. From Helmsley, he became Triple H and the rest is history as the went on to have one storied career and till date is a mainstay in the landscape of the WWE as the leader of the Authority.
#5 Randy Orton and Batista - Evolution
Evolution was what represented the best from the past, present and future at that time and was one heck of a concept executed in the best way possible.
It was essentially made to put over two future main eventers in Randy Orton and Batista and it sure as hell accomplished in achieving the goal they set out to do. It is regarded as one of the best stables in the WWE and at its height were a treat to watch.
Both Orton and Batista broke out in what was a well-scripted storyline and Triple H did one heck of a job in putting both the rookies at that time over in the best way imaginable. Orton and Batista went on to have great careers with countless title reigns and it goes to show how beneficial a stable can be in building up the future.
Batista is a movie star now and Orton a veteran in the WWE, which is proof to the success of the Evolution.
#6 Daniel Bryan, Wade Barret and Ryback - The Nexus
The Nexus for the time that they were active were a good heel group that was from the get go slotted in a feud with the biggest name in the WWE, John Cena.
It consisted of NXT rookies who had to fight for their main roster contracts. From the stable of talented rookies, two notable names exceeded expectations to go on and achieve singles success in the WWE.
Wade Barret was the most charismatic of the group and he sure as made a good name for himself on the main roster due to his entertaining character of Bad News Barret. But the most Successful among the lot would be Daniel Bryan who went on to prove his naysayers wrong by headlining on the grandest stage of the all and becoming the World Heavyweight champion. His background in the indies and ROH and his likable down to earth personality got him over with the fans in an unprecedented way. The ultimate underdog has earned many accolades by being the heavyweight and world champion and the most underlying fact being his connection with the fans, which is unparalleled.
From the group, Ryback also rose to prominence but quickly withered away only to be released from the WWE.
Another notable mention would be that of Husky Harris now known as the creepy cult leader of The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt, who went on to become the WWE Champion. Daniel Bryan was the only member of the stable who went on to have a legendary career, however, he was forced to announce his retirement owing to a banged up neck and a history with concussions.
#7 All members of the Shield
The Shield was one of the best things to happen in some time and the way they entered the world of the WWE, made you sit back and realize that these three individuals are the future in the making.
They were cool, ruthless and had an edge of novelty which set them apart from all the other factions that preceded them. It was obvious that someday these three talented stars would break away to pave their singles careers paths, but who would turn on who was not sure.
Ambrose was always regarded as the heel of the group while Roman was the never say die face and Rollins the high flier that would leave you in splits. But the WWE surprised us all by having Rollins go the villa noious route and what followed was a push that many would envy.
Even though their singles career is at a nascent stage, Rollins has already solidified himself as a great heel, Ambrose as the most lovable yet crazy fan favourite and Roman the ever so improving heir to Cena’s throne.
They are the future and there is no denying that.
#8 The Rock - Nation Of Domination
Thank god the Nation Of Domination happened, because if it hadn’t we would not have been able to see the greatness that is The Rock.
The most electrifying man in sports entertainment was a joke as Rocky Malvia in his earlier avatar and when he was repackaged as arrogant and cocky, his true potential was seen. He was the main spokesperson of the NOD, and it proved to be a great stable with a ruthless aggression. Rock was the shining star among the group and he broke out to be the one of the greatest of all time.
He not only went on to be one of the greatest champions in the WWE, but also one of the very few to have a successful career in the Hollywood, which is a testament of his screen presence and absolute gem of a presona. The New Day has the potential to be the next NOD, and it has a very able star in Xavier Woods who is a wonder when it comes to working the mic, with his in ring skills being top notch to accompany it.
#9 Edge and Christian - The Brood
You might think that Edge and Christian started off as a tag team, but they were initially part o a stable with Gangrel known as The Brood.
It was a clan of vampires but mostly seen as a gothic gimmick. They were quite gory, with blood being a regular part of their promos and it did not last long before Gangrel was ousted which made way for one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history.
Edge went on to attain legendary status in the WWE thanks to his Rated R persona and it’s a shame his career ended prematurely. Christian too had a fairly decent singles career by winning the heavyweight title and also having a notable stint at TNA as Christina Cage.
The Brood was shortlived, but it introduced two great Canadian talents to the world who went on to have great careers in the WWE.
#10 Bret Hart - The Hart Foundation
One of the greatest in-ring technicians in WWE’s history was a product from the famed Hart wrestling family. The Hart Foundation consisted of members who had a lineage to the great Hart family from Canada.
By far the most notable name to have stamped his authority on the wrestling world has to be Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart who has had a storied career in the WWE with many notable moments and controversies.
It first included Jim Neidhart and Bret and they were later joined by The British Bulldog and Brian Pillman to form an anti-American/Candian stable. Bret was the most talented of the lot and he has proved it time and again that he can have a classic even with a broomstick. He would make his opponent look good and that is a hallmark of a great wrestler.
Although the Montreal screw job was a blot in an otherwise legendary career, Bret made peace with the WWE and is a bonafide Hall Of Famer that every aspiring wannabe WWE superstar looks up to.
