2 Superstars who overcame horrible gimmicks and 2 who couldn't

Throughout the landscape of WWE, there have been hundreds of different gimmicks. All the way from a rooster to a leprechaun. No, I’m not kidding either. How can someone possibly portray an animal? The WWE is not Broadway!

What is a gimmick anyway? According to its definition, it is a trick or device intended to attract attention or business. One thing is for sure, these gimmicks attracted attention, but I’m not so sure about how much business it gained for the company. Gimmicks can make or break a career. It can create a sensation overnight. It can also tarnish a career that the talent has little to no hope of recovery.

There have been plenty of bad gimmicks that turned out to be a great business draw. Some gimmicks just make you embarrassed to be a wrestling fan.

Today I’m going to look at 3 Superstars who overcame awful gimmicks and 2 who couldn't.

Overcame: The Big Boss Man

The Big Bossman was one of the most notable gimmicks for the WWE in the late 80s and early 90s. He was considered one of the men you had to overthrow in order to wrestle Hulk Hogan.

He was solid in every way, shape, and form. He was so exemplary that enthusiasts tend to forget that his gimmick was that of a former Corrections Officer from Cobb County, Georgia, who was fired from his job for beating inmates with his nightstick.

As if the back story wasn't poor enough, Bossman wore a mock Correctional Officer uniform to the ring.

Couldn't: Adam Rose

Adam Rose had much more potential to be successful on the main roster if he was portrayed as Leo Kruger. Sure the Adam Rose gimmick was fun, and everyone was having a great time, but for anyone to actually think this gimmick’s novelty wouldn’t wear off is crazy.

It actually reminds me of the Fandango surge. After WrestleMania, everyone loved Fandango. That novelty didn’t last very long either. Despite his theme song reaching the top of the charts on iTunes, it didn’t help his character develop very much.

This was the same situation as Adam Rose. Except for his theme never made it anywhere, his shirts were barely bought, and the only people that really enjoyed him were the few hundred people down in Florida

Overcame: Goldust

If ever there was a gimmick that you would expect to fail, it would have been Goldust.

Even after all these years of his debut, I cannot pinpoint what he is supposed to be. Goldust was played by Dustin Rhodes, who wore a full gold body suit to the ring. He also outfitted his bald head with a long blonde wig and gold make-up. He would frequently make sexually suggestive remarks to his male opponents, prompting some to think he was a homosexual.

During the Attitude Era, Goldust was parlayed into a character that just did "weird" things, including wearing a diaper and lingerie to the ring. Regardless, Rhodes was talented enough to get the character over with the fans and make a living off of the personality.

Couldn't: Brodus Clay

The grooving and moving, dancing and whirling, Funkasaurus. Who in their right might put this on paper and thought that it was a good idea?

The entire thing was this weird comedy act! Brodus Clay was a huge guy and could have been booked as such a beast, but no, instead we got a dancing wanna be a dinosaur.

I can’t possibly see how anyone in the WWE management thought this was going to get over? Brodus Clay was supposed to be this massive giant that wrecked people. The only good thing that came out of this gimmick is the Funkadactyls.

Well okay, Naomi got a good spot out of it. Brodus Clay’s career was permanently damaged from this.