5 shocking WWE storyline ideas that were rightly shelved

WWE is a form of entertainment that is not just about athleticism, acrobatic moves, and strength. What engages the audience in a feud or gimmick is the engaging storyline that revolves around the wrestling.

In the past, before WWE went PG, Vince McMahon's creative writers pushed the boundaries on the way they presented their product, often bordering on what could be termed offensive.

We don't see this anymore in the WWE as the promotion now caters to a wide audience - from kids to adults.

But, there was a time when WWE's creative team - as well as the wrestlers - came up with the unthinkable, going to any lengths to create a story that would capture the imagination of the audience.

Here, let's look at 5 shocking WWE storyline ideas that were rightly shelved by WWE:

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#1 Heindreich Nazi soldier gimmick

Heindreich briefly feuded with The Undertaker on WWE

Heindreich is a former WWE Superstar who had a brief run with the promotion which began in 2003 and ended in 2006. He was managed by Paul Heyman on SmackDown, and has a feud with The Undertaker, before teaming up with Legion of Doom's Animal.

But one gimmick that was suggested for Heindreich was that of a Nazi stormtrooper, who was frozen since the end of World War II and was brought to life by Paul Heyman. This was a pitch suggested by then WWE writer Dan Madigan, in 2004.

Madigan spoke about the pitch in 2008 and the reaction that he got from the rest of the creative team, including Vince McMahon. Madigan revealed that McMahon was shocked by the idea, leaving the room for the rest of the day.

WWE did not go ahead with the highly controversial gimmick, and Heindreich left the WWE in 2006.

#2 Batista's initial gimmick idea

Batista debuted in WWE in 2002 as Deacon Batista

Batista debuted on the main roster in 2002 as Deacon Batista, an enforcer for D-Von Dudley, and then went on to become a WWE legend.

But things could have been very different if WWE had gone ahead with their original idea for Batista. In a Talk is Jericho podcast with Chris Jericho, Batista revealed that the WWE's original idea for his gimmick was that he was the child of rape and that he did not who his father was.

WWE's creative team wanted to show that Batista was always angry because of his upbringing and because he was a child of rape.

Thankfully that storyline was dropped by the WWE, and he instead went on to join Evolution, alongside Triple H, Randy Orton, and Ric Flair, and then won the WWE Championship 6 times as well as winning the Royal Rumble twice.

#3 Goldust's dedication to his character by offering to get implants

Goldust

Goldust was one of the most unique and unusual gimmicks in the WWE, becoming a top star in the WWE in the 90s, winning the Hardcore Championship 9 times, as well as Intercontinental title thrice.

The son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, Goldust was a great wrestler in his prime and apparently was willing to do anything to make his character interesting.

Former WWE backstage personnel Bruce Prichard, in his Something to Wrestle podcast, revealed that Goldust was willing to get breast implants to reinvigorate his character.

"He had pitched it to everybody around Vince McMahon except Vince McMahon so Vince knew what Goldust was going to pitch him and he had already heard it.

"He had heard it from me; he had heard it from Vince Russo; he had heard it from Jim Ross. There was no way in hell that Vince McMahon was going to allow him to do this. He didn't want him to do it. We had jumped the shark so many times on this gimmick that this was something that wasn't going to happen," said Prichard.

But Vince McMahon vetoed this decision that Goldust was willing to take, according to Prichard: "Dustin Rhodes felt that this is the only thing that can revive his career. He really wanted to get the breast implants. Get Double D's and stuff, but thank God Vince McMahon talked him out of it."

(H/T WrestlingInc for the transcription)

#4 Edge mute and deaf gimmick

Edge

WWE Hall of Famer Edge, who made his WWE debut way back in 1996, is mostly known for being part of a tag team alongside friend Christian, as well as his great singles run later on.

But things could've been different for Edge if his first gimmick was used by the WWE. WWE's then chief writer Vince Russo wanted Edge's character to be a mute and deaf as he thought that Edge wouldn't be great on the mic.

"Russo wanted to write me as a deaf mute because he didn't think I could talk," he said. "It was his idea, so obviously he didn't think I liked his idea and thought I'd screw with this kid. (The idea would have made me) dead in the water," said Edge in a podcast interview with Chris Jericho for Talk is Jericho. (H/T WrestlingInc for the transcription)

Thankfully, WWE did not go ahead with the gimmick and we got to witness the Rated-R Superstar wow audiences for years.

#5 Shane-Stephanie McMahon romance angle

Shane and Stephanie McMahon

Vince McMahon is a genius storyteller and businessman, revolutionising the pro wrestling industry. But, there's a little madness in his genius as evidenced by the storyline that he wanted his son Shane, and daughter Stephanie, to be a part of.

Bruce Prichard revealed that Vince McMahon wanted Stephanie and Shane to be involved in a romance angle.

"It was during the time when Stephanie was pregnant and Vince was trying to figure out if he could work that into a storyline. It was an entire Sunday, an entire day of my life that I will never get back. That was always one of the things, whenever he'd come up with crazy stuff like that.

"It would be like, 'Well, who's going to let Shane know?' The funny thing is, we were all on the phone going over everything and it was classic Vince. 'What if I was the father?' Then there's nervous laughter because no one thinks he's serious but then it became, 'Well, what if?'," said Prichard. (H/T WrestlingInc for the transcription)