'%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)
The long history of WWE has seen several superstars clubbing together to form factions. Being part of a faction lets a younger star gain exposure through alignment with major superstars. It also helps to hide the weakness of the members and use their strengths to full effect.
WWE often creates factions, but for every Evolution, there are multiple instances of mediocre units like The Corre and The Social Outcasts (sorry, Heath Slater). Even in successful factions, not every member fits in.
At times, stars are removed from the unit due to their evident inability to become an integral part of the faction. They are essentially termed as weak links, such as Paul Roma in The Four Horsemen.
Here is a list of five WWE Superstars who failed to fit into otherwise successful factions.
#5 Former WWE Superstar Manu (Legacy)
Manu had the birthright to be a part of WWE. As a member of the famed Anoa'i family, he was trained by the elders of his family, including his father Afa.
However, he failed to replicate his family's success in WWE. The company had high hopes for him and made him a part of a promising project: a faction consisting of four multi-generational talents. However, his involvement in the faction remained brief.
Manu, in the storyline, lost a test initiated by Randy Orton and was kicked out of the group. Fellow multi-generational talent Sim Snuka suffered the same fate.
Manu didn't possess the charisma of Rhodes, Dibiase, and especially Orton, who was already an established superstar. He was released from the company soon after and returned to the independent circuit.
Since then, Anoa'i family members such as Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Nia Jax, and Roman Reigns have gained considerable success in the promotion, each earning championship glory.
#4 Former WWE Tag Team Champion David Otunga (The Nexus)
The Nexus never reached their true potential in WWE, due to the company's unbelievable decision to let John Cena triumph over them. The faction was created out of disgruntled NXT stars who wanted to destroy the main roster and exert dominance.
David Otunga, however, was a weak link in the faction. He regularly tagged with the future Curtis Axel, who was a superior in-ring talent. The duo even managed to win the WWE tag team titles.
Otunga has remained a part of WWE to this day. He no longer wrestles, but works as a pre-show panelist ahead of pay-per-view events and also fills in as an occasional commentator whenever a spot is open.
#3 Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Hornswoggle (D-Generation X)
Hornswoggle's WWE career is a complicated yet surprisingly successful story. He managed to remain relevant in some way or another throughout his stint with the company.
No other WWE Superstar can claim to be Vince McMahon's storyline son, Fit Finlay's storyline son, the anonymous general manager, and a DX member.
Hornswoggle became a part of DX as a mascot, but he never seemed to be a perfect choice for one of the most iconic factions in the history of WWE. His DX membership is barely remembered today.
#2 Former WWE European Champion Mideon (The Ministry of Darkness)
The Ministry of Darkness saw The Undertaker at his most diabolical during his WWE career. Rituals and sacrifices became a part of RAW as he grouped together an evil unit to exert his dominance over the roster under the influence of a higher power.
Mideon, however, never seemed to fit the evil role. He remained a member of the faction till its dissolution and yet didn't come out of it as a promising superstar.
Mideon continued helping The Undertaker before disappearing. When he reappeared, it was as the infamous Naked Mideon.
#1 Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan (The Wyatt Family)
Unlike other entries, Daniel Bryan cannot be called a mediocre talent. One of the greatest active professional wrestlers, Bryan is currently proving his worth on AEW through matches against Kenny Omega and Minoru Suzuki.
His stint with The Wyatt Family came amid the Yes Movement storyline in WWE, and fans were less than happy to see their beloved hero join the villainous cult group.
Daniel Bryan didn't fit into the faction, leading to Bray Wyatt deciding to punish him. Bryan, however, left the group in a memorable moment as he continued on his path to WrestleMania glory.
