10 Wrestling Storylines Where Evil Won

 

7. Kofimania

11 years.

The Kofimania storyline, complete with at least one layer of suboptimal subtext, was premised on 11 years of struggle. Kofi wished to prove himself a true headline player. He had the ability, the drive, and, in a genuinely stirring organic development, the support.

So why did it take 11 years?

In storyline, this was partly explained away by Mr. McMahon believing Kofi to be a "B+ player" who was destined for the Hall of Fame, just not the first ballot. The subtext revealed something rather stark: if it took 11 years for WWE management to realise his potential, throughout which Kofi was positioned in an often aimless role, what did that say of the promotional machine behind him?

Regardless, in a euphoric moment, Kofi realised his ambitions after dethroning Planet's Champion Daniel Bryan in a masterclass at WrestleMania 35. A cracking, emotional match that articulated the scope of Kofi's struggle within 24 minutes of spellbinding drama, it was by some distance the best moment of the run.

Virtually every other match developed an unshakeable midcard vibe, and in truth, through its pointless/mandated rematches, the run went on too long. But the way in which it ended was a brutally depressing reminder of where WWE thought Kofi stood all along.

Annihilated by Brock Lesnar on the SmackDown FOX debut, he wasn't a headliner. Hell, he wasn't even a B+ Player.

He was a guy there to do a job.