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There have been many mystery angles in WWE, most of which had all the potential in the world to become something special. However, the company's history of booking these stories is hit-and-miss, to say the least. It is fair to say that there have been many surprise reveals in WWE that did not live up to the expectations.
Sure, WWE has had some excellent reveals in the past, but they have also squandered multiple huge opportunities. These angles usually start with excitement, with them ranging from mystery attackers to anonymous relationships. WWE could have used storytelling and logic to launch multiple Superstars' careers through this plot device, but it wasn't to be.
Every single one of these mysteries should have led to a much better payoff than what was given. Here are five surprise reveals in WWE that disappointed the fans, and the Superstar who should have been revealed instead.
#5 Jason Jordan as Kurt Angle's illegitimate son (WWE RAW 17/7/2017)
After over a decade away, Kurt Angle returned to WWE in 2017. He headlined the Hall of Fame that year, before becoming the General Manager of RAW. One of the most notable happenings during the Olympic gold medalist's time on the red brand was him starting to receive some suspicious text messages. Angle even claimed that they could ruin his career.
It could have been anything from an affair to an illegitimate child, and it turned out to be the latter. So, on a July episode of RAW, Kurt Angle revealed his son to be Jason Jordan. To be fair, the two did share some similarities, but there was a better choice, a Superstar who was right next to Jordan the whole time.
Who should have been revealed: Chad Gable
Easily the more charismatic member of American Alpha, Chad Gable would have been a perfect fit to play Kurt Angle's illegitimate son. This was a cheesy storyline, one that could have done with a little more over-the-top ridiculousness. Gable's comedic timing would have worked well in the story. He is more like Angle than Jordan ever was.
The reveal came across as a little boring. However, WWE did eventually raise the interest with Jordan's slow-burning heel turn before he suffered a career-ending neck injury. This storyline could have been so much better, had WWE gone the obvious route and chosen to push Chad Gable.
#4 Erick Rowan as Roman Reigns' mystery attacker (WWE SmackDown 27/8/2019)
The summer of 2019 saw one of the most intriguing storylines in recent WWE history, as Roman Reigns was subject to a couple of attacks from out of nowhere. This angle had a lot of potential and had some bright spots. Samoa Joe teased a babyface turn and Buddy Murphy looked like a star.
However, the reveal was ultimately a disappointment. Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan were the main suspects, but it turned out that the former Bludgeon Brother did it all on his own. This was a mistake, as Rowan had a very clear ceiling as a singles star in WWE. He isn't even in the company anymore.
Who should have been revealed: Daniel Bryan
Bryan still had a lot to give as a heel in WWE and should have had an excellent program against Roman Reigns. The two could have had a brutal Hell in a Cell match in October but instead, they teamed up to defeat Rowan and a returning Luke Harper.
Murphy would have also been a better choice, but he was set as a babyface after his star-making performances against Reigns and Bryan on SmackDown. WWE just did not follow them up with anything for the Australian. Daniel Bryan being revealed as the attacker would have instantly made this angle great.
#3 Rikishi as the man who ran over 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin (WWF RAW 9/10/2000)
Towards the end of 1999, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin needed to take time off from WWE to have a much-needed neck surgery. He was written off at Survivor Series by getting hit by a car while chasing Triple H in the parking lot. Austin would not wrestle for almost a year, with an investigation on who ran him over a year ago beginning upon his return.
The obvious suspect was Triple H, but WWE instead swerved everybody. Rikishi was the man behind the wheel, claiming to have done it for The Rock. It was further revealed that The Game was behind the attack all along. But there was someone else who could have had a plausible motive for running over Austin at Survivor Series 1999.
Who should have been revealed: Kurt Angle
Making his debut at that very pay-per-view, Kurt Angle enjoyed one of the greatest rookie years in WWE history in Steve Austin's absence. His stock rose the highest in that timeframe, with Triple H and The Rock having already won the world title beforehand. Angle would have been a logical choice, given the circumstances WWE was dealt with at the time.
Rikishi was extremely over as a lovable dancing babyface, with his heel turn being a massive flop. But in this case, Kurt Angle would have become an even bigger heel than he already was. Running over the biggest star of the company on your first night is one heck of a way to make a name for yourself in WWE.
#2 Hornswoggle as Vince McMahon's illegitimate son (WWE RAW 10/9/2007)
Vince McMahon had a weird 2007 in WWE, culminating in a limousine explosion. The latter was reversed due to the tragic real-life events surrounding Chris Benoit and his family, but it was to lead to an angle where it would be revealed that McMahon had an illegitimate son. The angle went on, with Mr. Kennedy as the most likely Superstar to become a McMahon.
However, he was suspended for violating WWE's Wellness Policy. This left the company without a clear choice, so they decided to make the whole thing a gag. Vince McMahon's illegitimate son ended up being Hornswoggle. This angle actually had promise and could have raised the stock of any upper midcarder.
Who should have been revealed: CM Punk
While Mr. Kennedy would have been a great fit for the role of the top heel in WWE, he was out of the reckoning. The next best option would have been CM Punk, who was quietly becoming a star in WWE as ECW Champion. His talents would have been put to good use in what would have been a top-level storyline.
Punk is pretty much the opposite of Vince McMahon, so him being The Chairman's illegitimate son would have set up some entertaining conflict between the two. The Straight Edge Superstar would eventually become a megastar in WWE, but he should have been one sooner. There is no guarantee that CM Punk would have succeeded in this position, but anyone would have been a better choice than Hornswoggle.
#1 Vince McMahon as WWE's Higher Power (WWF RAW 7/6/1999)
Another mystery reveal from the Attitude Era, this one ended in the most disappointing note. The Undertaker formed the Ministry of Darkness in late-1998, brainwashing WWE Superstars and kidnapping the likes of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Stephanie McMahon. The Deadman was at his frightening best.
Under the guidance of a "higher power", Undertaker tormented Vince McMahon and his family. It seemed like Austin and McMahon would finally be on the same page, but WWE swerved the fans in the most illogical way. Vince McMahon was the higher power.
The Chairman of WWE stated that he did it to make a fool out of Austin, despite the things his family went through at the hands of The Undertaker. It made zero sense for that very reason and WWE should have had a better plan for the Higher Power storyline.
Who should have been revealed: Jake 'The Snake' Roberts
Yes, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts was not in the best shape in 1999. But if WWE were to help him through his problems with drugs and alcohol, he would have been perfect as the "higher power". As unlikely as this would have been, Roberts did have his reasons to go after both Steve Austin and Vince McMahon.
Austin defeated Roberts to win the 1996 King of the Ring, birthing the 3:16 catchphrase at his expense, while the current AEW star was put into an ill-advised feud with Jerry Lawler later that year. Jake Roberts being Undertaker's guide would have also been a throwback to their alliance in 1991. He wouldn't have even needed to wrestle in this role.
The Higher Power may be the most disappointing surprise reveal in WWE history, and rightly so. Jim Ross' call on the night was absolutely on point.
