4 second-generation wrestlers who never made it to the WWE main roster
Numerous second and third-generation wrestlers have been through the WWE. Names like Orton, Hart, Anoa'i, Guerrero, and Rhodes are big in wrestling. WWE has shown a willingness to sign certain names solely on who their parents are, even if they don't have prior wrestling experience. The fact that they are crowd pullers is the reason why WWE loves to capitalize on their famous lineage in the hope that can inherit the same talent and charisma as their relatives.
This doesn't always pan out to be the case. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes are testaments of the highest order to this strategy, while Ted DiBiase, Manu, and Sim Snuka failed to make the same impact. As a matter of fact, for every Randy Orton, Eddie Guerrero or Roman Reigns, there are probably 3 or 4 wrestlers who come from famous families only to fail in the industry.
Some others such as David Hart Smith or Carlito achieve some level of success because of their surname. Some get the opportunity but are unable to take advantage, despite their head start in the industry. This is a list of 4 wrestlers who were signed to WWE developmental contracts but did not make a single appearance on WWE TV.
# 4 Jake Carter
Jake Carter is the son of former WCW, WWE and NJPW Legend Vader. Jake wrestled for 2 and a half years on the independent scene. During this time he was able to wrestle alongside Vader in tag team matches. In 2011, it was reported that Jake had signed a developmental contract with the WWE and would be training and wrestling at Florida Championship Wrestling.
While at FCW, Jake wrestled formed a tag team with Corey Graves, winning the FCW Tag Team belt from Bo Rotundo and Husky Harris, or as they are better known today as Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt. They would lose the belts to Leakee and Mike Dalton, who would go on to become Roman Reigns and Tyler Breeze respectively.
When WWE transitioned their developmental program to Full Sail University and NXT, Carter was brought along as a singles wrestler. He would face Kassius Ohno, Leo Kruger, and Trent Barretta, losing all three bouts. In 2013, Carter would wrestle at the Royal Rumble Fan Fest and WrestleMania Axxess against Bray Wyatt, Percy Watson, and Kassius Ohno but, once again, lost all three bouts. His last appearance on NXT TV came against Xavier Woods.
Carter would be released from his WWE developmental contract in 2013. He returned to wrestling on the independent scene a few more times, including 2 fights alongside his famous father. However, his last match of note was against Kahagas at an MSWA event in 2015.