5 WWE pushes Vince McMahon canceled because of real-life issues

#4 Mordecai

Mordecai

After WrestleMania 20 was done and dusted with, WWE began pushing a bunch of new stars to build its future around. OVW star Kevin Fertig was called up to the main roster on WWE SmackDown and given the gimmick of Mordecai, a character who had religious overtones, and seemed incredibly sinister in his ways. Several promos before his arrival portrayed him as someone who was coming to rid the world of sin. Mordecai defeated Scotty 2 Hotty comfortably in his debut match at Judgment Day 2004.

Mere days after The Great American Bash, where Mordecai disposed of Hardcore Holly, he was sent back to OVW and his push was canceled abruptly. In reality, Fertig was involved in a bar fight and Vince McMahon was legit angry at his conduct outside the ring. The push was scrapped immediately and the WWE Universe never heard of Mordecai again. Originally, plans called for Mordecai to get pushed for months on end and take on The Undertaker at WrestleMania 21. The Deadman faced Randy Orton at the event instead and defeated him to advance his streak to 13-0.