'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Wrestling is all about making the most of any opportunity provided. Every wrestler must find a path to success to accomplish their goals and make a name. Many variables can come into play to deliver an opportunity that wrestlers could not have expected to come.
WWE specifically is a promotion where things change at the drop of a hat. Injuries will see storylines and long-term plans change due to the nature of the physical business with a grueling schedule. Other issues like wrestlers leaving or needing time off can also open positions since the company has no offseason or time to rebound.
The change on the fly can become a huge benefit to a wrestler treading water. There are only so few relevant pushes taking place on WWE television on a weekly basis. A superstar desperately wanting a chance to break out or reach the next level will be extra motivated to do their best when getting an unexpected opportunity.
Most wrestling success stories feature at least one moment when a wrestler runs with the ball as opposed to just getting shoved into the end zone by WWE. Each of the following wrestlers certainly did not waste their chance to make an impact when getting another wrestler’s opportunity.
#10 Edge
WrestleMania 23 featured one of the greatest opening matches in show history when Mr. Kennedy won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Kennedy, however, would be forced to give it up after suffering an injury and the WWE felt that it would take him out for many months.
A decision was made to have Edge defeat Kennedy to win the briefcase and cash it in to beat The Undertaker for the World Championship. This opportunity allowed Edge to move from being a secondary main eventer on Raw to the top heel on Smackdown. Edge is synonymous with the history of Smackdown thanks to this run that was not even planned until Kennedy got hurt.
Edge has often been known as the Ultimate opportunist. But this was something that was delivered to him and he took it with both hands.
#9 Kevin Owens
Finn Balor getting the honor of becoming the first-ever WWE Universal Champion was short-lived when he was forced to relinquish the title one day after winning it due to an injury. Time away from WWE meant Balor could not have a legitimate reign. WWE was forced to change plans on the fly. Kevin Owens benefited from this with the biggest push of his career.
WWE selected Owens since the desire from the new title was to elevate a new star on the Raw brand early into the first few months of the brand's split. Owens would have a lengthy reign as the top champion on Raw from August 2016 to March 2017. He had impressive matches against Seth Rollins along with humorous segments during his friendship with Chris Jericho. The title reign had its ups and downs, but Owens certainly proved he could entertain at a top level.
WWE's plans to push NXT talent was appreciated here and Owens got the better deal.
#8 Zack Ryder
The opportunity given to Zack Ryder was a small one that meant the world to him. Neville was planned to have a spot in the WrestleMania 32 Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship to showcase his high-flying skills. An injury on Raw in a match with Chris Jericho kept Neville off the card and gave Ryder his spot on the ‘Mania main card.
Vince McMahon decided to reward Ryder’s long-term loyalty to WWE with the huge upset win no one saw coming ahead of time. Ryder only held the title for one night before losing to The Miz, but it was still the biggest win of his career. The last-minute change would see Ryder go from pre-show duty to winning the Intercontinental Championship in front of the biggest WWE crowd of all time. It is the moment Ryder will most associate with his WWE career.
The self-proclaimed internet champion had the backing of the WWE universe heading into Wrestlemania and was deservingly crowned the new Intercontinental champion.
#7 Big Show
Big Show has been given just about every role in WWE. The best tag team partner of Big Show is Chris Jericho. Both wrestling veterans worked perfectly together in the aptly named Jeri-Show duo. This was originally supposed to be an even bigger deal with top heels Jericho and Edge teaming. Edge and Jericho won the WWE Tag Team Championship together before Edge suffered an injury that ruled him out for many months.
Jericho named the Big Show as his new partner and they found a way to make it work. The Big Show and Jericho had a successful run together that culminated in a pay-per-view main event match at TLC against Shawn Michaels and Triple H. It placed him towards the top of the card while performing at a high level in tag team fashion. The unexpected opportunity for Big Show gave him some of the best moments of his career.
The former champion has been one of WWE's most loyal superstars over the years and has performed in various capacities, answering the call of duty.
#6 Seth Rollins
WrestleMania 31 gave us one of the all-time great moments in WWE history. Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot to defeat Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship in the main event. Reigns was expected to win the title here as his crowning moment, but this was the start of the fans turning on him with loud boos every week.
WWE decided they wanted to prolong Reigns’ title win which led to a change of plans. Rollins has revealed he started planting the seeds of the cash-in idea after Reigns’ controversial Royal Rumble win in 2015. It culminated with WWE going through with the plan of the cash-in. This was the first time the Money in the Bank title shot would take place at a WrestleMania event. Rollins had a strong run as WWE Champion that cemented him as a main eventer in WWE.
He even went on to become the face of the brand despite being a strong heel, solidifying his position in the WWE.
#5 Kofi Kingston
The most recent instance of a wrestler making the most of a huge opportunity featured Kofi Kingston rising to the top of the SmackDown brand. Mustafa Ali suffered an injury that changed the course of WrestleMania season. The reported plans were to feature Daniel Bryan facing Ali at Fastlane and Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 35 during his reign as the WWE Champion.
Kingston, however, replaced Ali with outstanding performances in the Elimination Chamber and gauntlet matches. Fans rallied behind Kingston after remembering just how talented he was and wanted him to be elevated as the next big star to face Bryan.
The organic movement for Kofimania formed as the hottest storyline during WrestleMania season and Kingston ended up winning the title from Daniel Bryan much to the delight of the WWE universe.
Kofi had been languishing in mid-card status for over a decade in the WWE and finally got his due in the biggest pay-per-view of them all in what can be termed as a mark-out moment in his career.
#4 The Miz
Love him or hate him, but you just can't ignore The Miz.
Original plans for WrestleMania 34 would have seen Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins battling over the Intercontinental Championship. Ambrose was expected to turn heel on Rollins before the major event. The idea for Rollins to win the Intercontinental Championship was always on the cards since WWE wanted him to become a grand slam champion on the biggest stage.
Ambrose suffered an injury that forced him to miss WrestleMania in the first half of 2018. The Miz was given a longer reign with the Intercontinental Title that helped his status on Raw. WWE appreciated his consistency in elevating the title to a higher level with superb work. Rollins was still able to get his grand slam moment by defeating The Miz and Finn Balor in the show-stealing opening match of WrestleMania 35. Most importantly, the IC Title was given more credibility rather than being used as a prop on the biggest stage.
The Miz remains an integral part of WWE's plan owing to his longevity with the company.
#3 Daniel Bryan
WrestleMania 30 was the perfect storm for Daniel Bryan to get his moment on the biggest stage. A long feud with The Authority seemingly ended with Bryan continuously losing to Randy Orton. The card for ‘WrestleMania was scheduled to see Orton defend against Batista, Triple H face CM Punk and Bryan opposing Sheamus in a lower card match.
Punk walked out on WWE after the Royal Rumble and the fans hijacked events with chants in support of Bryan over Batista. All these variables led to Bryan finally getting his moment as the fans pushed him to the top.
Bryan took Punk’s spot, facing Triple H at WrestleMania, which allowed the easy stipulation of Bryan winning to get a spot in the main event. Various interviews with Bryan have seen him admit he would not have won the title if Punk didn’t leave. The unexpected change allowed Bryan to get an iconic ‘WrestleMania moment.
Despite the injury setbacks, Bryan has made the most of his opportunities with the brand.
#2 Eddie Guerrero
The early days of the first WWE brand split showcased SmackDown as the brand where new stars were made. Quite a few stars like Rey Mysterio, John Cena and Brock Lesnar were breaking out. However, Edge was the wrestler expected to get a major face push and eventually end Lesnar’s WWE Championship reign. WWE loved his potential as a future face of the company.
An injury to Edge kept him sidelined for a long time and new plans were needed. Eddie Guerrero was delivering some of the best work in WWE history at the same time and was winning over the fans with his endearing antics.
Vince McMahon went all the way with Eddie and made him the new star to get the top spot. Guerrero ended Brock’s reign to become WWE champion and defended it at WrestleMania 20 over Kurt Angle. Edge was likely the man for that role if he wasn’t injured.
Eddie played the role to near perfection and gave the WWE universe one of its finest moments.
#1 Steve Austin
The match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 is in any real discussion about the greatest match in ‘Mania history. Austin was already getting fast-tracked to the top of the card, but this match put him over the top as the hottest act in WWE. There was not even a strong plan for Austin at this show before a major change forced WWE’s hand.
The original plan for WrestleMania 13 was to see Bret face off against Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship in a rematch of their WrestleMania 12 Iron Man classic. Michaels “lost his smile” and decided to retire citing injuries for that reason.
WWE was forced to change plans during the WrestleMania season. Austin would get matched up with Hart and the two would have an iconic classic. This match made Austin an instant superstar and is still the match most associated with his career today.
Austin never looked back and became a force to be reckoned with, leading WWE's charge during the much fable Attitude Era.
