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Good wrestling and microphone skills are not the only things that are needed to make it big in the wrestling business. Even if you are a stand out performer in terms of wrestling ability and microphone work, unless you have a solid gimmick, the chances of you succeeding in the wrestling business are low. In short, gimmicks have the power to make or break a professional wrestler.
Some wrestlers were fortunate enough to have a gimmick that helped them progress while there are others who fell flat despite being talented performers. The list is going to take a look at the latter category.
#6 Honourable mention: Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko was one of the best technical wrestlers out there during his prime.
He had a solid stay back in WCW before WWE roped him in. WWE used him as part of the Radicalz but once the faction broke up, WWE made him a ladies man. He had a terrible storyline with Lita and the WWE fans never got to see the brilliance Malenko had in WCW.
#5 Brodus Clay
WWE’s search for a monster heel was supposed to end at Brodus Clay.
The guy had the size and skills to play the role, but the writers had other plans for him. They turned him into a dancing goofball when he was supposed to end up like Kane or Big Show. Clay was then teamed up with another wasted talent in the form of Tensai.
Clay later played a fitting role down in NXT, but it was too late for him to recover. He was then released by the company and he is currently floating in TNA, which by the way, is a sinking ship that no one is interested in boarding.
#4 Eugene
It is hard to believe that Nick Dinsmore, who played Eugene, is a great technician. Dinsmore earned a lot of respect during his time in USWA and OVW. He established himself as a singles star and tag team wrestler over the period and was eventually called up to the WWE main roster.
However, instead of focusing on the wrestling talent that Dinsmore had, WWE presented him with a ‘Special’ gimmick. To his credit, Dinsmore played the role perfectly but he was definitely stuck in the wrong room. The excitement regarding Eugene soon cooled down and WWE didn’t bother repackaging him in a serious role. He returned to the Independent circuit afterwards and also works as a trainer now.
#3 Adam Rose
Anyone who saw the ESPN Documentary will be feeling sad for Adam Rose.
The man who came up from the streets of South Africa had a compelling character when he played Leo Kruger. WWE wanted to repackage him and this gave birth to the party gimmick. It ended up being a big success in NXT and Rose soon got his call-up to the main roster.
The gimmick bombed in the main roster and Rose had struggled. His run didn't last long and he ended up requesting a release in 2016, which was promptly granted to him
#2 Paul Burchill
A gimmick inspired by Jack Sparrow in professional wrestling? It sounds weird on paper and it sounded weirder in reality.
Burchill, who was chosen to play the gimmick, was a gifted performer. He managed to build up some reputation before reaching WWE and even teamed up with Terry Funk at one point.
He knew how to put together a good match, but the pirate gimmick held him back. The damage was done. Burchill’s career bombed and he was forced into the independent circuit afterwards.
#1 R-Truth
R-Truth is nothing but a jobber right now. He has a wealth of experience in his pockets and at the same time, he is a great speaker.
However, Truth is stuck with the rapper gimmick which is nothing but a comedy act. If we take a look back into his career, Truth always excelled as a heel. He has a short heel run in TNA and he had something similar along with Miz in WWE as well.
He then main evented the disastrous PPV Capitol Punishment against John Cena for the WWE Championship. He floated around until 2016 when he teamed with Goldust and formed The Golden Truth. They broke up a year later when Goldust turned heel on him.
But instead of making use of the tactics again, WWE restricted him. It is too late for Truth to turn the tides around and sadly, Truth will be remembered as the wrestler who repeatedly yelled ‘Whats up’.
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