Controversial WWE Gimmicks That Surprisingly (& Others That Failed Miserably)

The usage of controversial gimmicks in wrestling will see issues trending in certainly one of two instructions. Some dangers work out and sees abilities turning into larger stars by tapping right into a polarizing gimmick. Different names will witness their careers taking successful after enjoying characters that struggled after debuting with controversy.

Each wrestler becoming a member of WWE or altering characters within the promotion is hoping to discover a main hit to spice up their star energy. Fan response is unimaginable to foretell as a result of it may possibly result in excessive success or failure. The wrestlers in query showcased this with controversial WWE gimmicks that both surprisingly labored or sadly failed miserably.

Surprisingly Labored: The Fiend

Bray Wyatt’s Artistic Danger Grew to become A Large Spectacle

WWE has witnessed ups and downs with Bray Wyatt enjoying bolder characters. Wyatt took a while off after the Wyatt Household ended and that character was reaching the top. The will to reboot his profession featured a novel comeback.

Bray appeared within the “Firefly Funhouse” segments enjoying a kids’s TV host earlier than his in-ring return launched The Fiend. A whole lot of inventive layers went into this character, however the viewers reacted completely to make The Fiend a high attraction and a number of time Common Champion.

Failed Miserably: Brian Pillman

The Free Cannon Persona Didn’t Hit Like In WCW Or ECW

WWE signed Brian Pillman after he turned a warmer title together with his controversial Free Cannon persona. Pillman got here up with the concept of pretending to interrupt character, regardless that it was at a time when a bigger proportion of followers nonetheless believed in kayfabe.

WCW was the place the place it turned successful, however he moved to ECW to continue to grow the real looking factor. Pillman obtained his ultimate situation becoming a member of WWE to proceed the act. Nevertheless, WWE making it much less excessive noticed him barely establishing it earlier than accidents slowed down his profession.

Surprisingly Labored: Irwin R. Schyster

Low-cost Heel Gimmick Labored With Followers Booing I.R.S.

The concept of a wrestling heel obnoxiously reminding followers to pay their taxes felt a bit one-dimensional on paper, however it labored for the character of Irwin R. Schyster. WWE had revered veteran Mike Rotunda play the character to strong success.

Ted DiBiase including I.R.S. as his sidekick made the latter much more credible when paired with a predominant eventer. I.R.S lower related promos earlier than each match operating down the followers whereas utilizing a real-life subject to get constant warmth.

Failed Miserably: The Mexicools

Offensive Gimmick Wasted Three Gifted Wrestlers

WWE got here up with the controversial concept of the Mexicools for a faction involving revered Mexican wrestlers Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis and Tremendous Loopy. All three wrestlers had sturdy pasts as related Mexico high names and American success in both WCW or ECW.

Sadly, a gimmick of the Mexicools driving garden mowers to the ring and enjoying into racial stereotypes felt a bit too disrespectful. The skills couldn’t even have enjoyable with it in a method that felt pure since a big proportion of viewers hated it from the second that they made an entrance.

Surprisingly Labored: The Un-Individuals

Anti-American Group After 9/11 Was Designed For Main Warmth

Patriotism was the forefront of a heel act for WWE when the Un-Individuals fashioned shortly after 9/11 to disrespect america. Fan response was stronger as a result of timing, and thus Christian, Lance Storm, William Regal & Check turned hated.

WWE doubled down on the warmth by having the Un-Individuals disrespecting army veterans and even threatening to burn america flag. The proficient wrestlers feeling extra necessary confirmed the act working till WWE ended it attributable to feeling the expertise was uncomfortable with the extraordinarily destructive crowd reactions.

Failed Miserably: Papa Shango

Outdated Gimmick Primarily based Round Darkish Magic Backfired

Charles Wright joined WWE initially to play the controversial Papa Shango character specializing in utilizing voodoo. WWE even positioned Papa Shango in an higher card feud towards former WWE Champion Final Warrior to point out the hope they held.

Sadly, Papa Shango was too corny and excessive as followers began to need one thing extra from wrestling. The gimmick fell off the map and noticed Wright having to rebound with the Kama fighter character ditching the face paint.

Surprisingly Labored: The Godfather

The Angle Period Allowed The Most Absurd Gimmicks To Get Over

Probably the most profitable gimmick of Charles Wright got here a few years after the Papa Shango failure. Kama Mustafa labored properly sufficient within the mid-card as a member of the Nation of Domination, however he made one other bolder gimmick change in 1998.

The Godfather was a brand new character enjoying an precise pimp together with his girls coming to the ring with him. Opposing wrestlers had the prospect to show down wrestling Godfather in the event that they needed to spend an evening together with his girls. This farfetched idea truly labored attributable to Angle Period followers embracing intercourse and bolder content material.

Failed Miserably: Eugene

WWE Ended Up Wanting Followers To Mock Eugene’s Character

The Eugene gimmick noticed revered developmental expertise Nick Dinsmore enjoying a mentally handicapped tremendous fan becoming a member of the corporate due to being associated to Eric Bischoff. Illustration might have been used productively right here, however it was all about different heels mocking Eugene.

WWE tried to have Eugene get the final snicker over heels like Bischoff or Triple H till it turned clear his character had a decrease ceiling. Eugene finally turned heel with the intent of followers laughing at or mocking him. The low level got here when Eugene appeared at an ECW One Evening Stand occasion to get cursed out by the loudest followers.

Surprisingly Labored: Goldust

Dustin Rhodes Dedicated To Sudden WWE Gimmick

WWE needed to push the buttons of the viewers when having a personality with an unknown sexuality debut. Goldust appeared within the New Era Period with former WCW star Dustin Rhodes carrying gold face paint and a blonde wig.

The gimmick was initially meant to play into homophobic reactions of the Nineties, with faces like Razor Ramon and Ahmed Johnson being disgusted at Goldust’s advances. Dustin committing to successfully to the gimmick allowed him to interrupt out and add extra layers to the legendary act.

Failed Badly: Kerwin White

Chavo Guerrero Performed This Ridiculous Gimmick

Racism is rarely a phrase wrestling promotions wish to hear when showcasing a brand new concept for the primary time. WWE took that threat when having Chavo Guerrero play a brand new gimmick referred to as Kerwin White the place everybody knew it was clearly him.

Nevertheless, Chavo was pressured to behave like a white man below the brand new title and persona with a ardour {for golfing}. Followers couldn’t determine the aim of the act or what the top recreation could be. Kerwin continued to fail Chavo till the surprising passing of Eddie Guerrero scrapped it.