'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Comedy in WWE is very consistent when it comes to working. The company doesn't always connect with their audience in knowing how to make them laugh with their intended humor. However, there have been some exceptional comedic gimmicks throughout the history of the promotion that were extremely memorable.
From the early days of the company, there have been funny characters that are on screen to bring the laughs to the television product. In the 80s, there were gimmicks like Adrian Adonis and Iron Sheik that were heels, but also were intended to be humorous. As the company entered the 90s and into the Attitude Era, Repo Man, The Godfather and Goldust all came to prominence.
Throughout recent years, there have been various hilarious personas that have risen to stardom. This includes superstars who have to be among the funniest gimmicks to ever step foot in a squared circle for the company. These are the characters that were the funniest and not so much the funniest wrestlers. In this article, let's take a look at the five best comedy gimmicks in WWE history.
5) Former WWE Superstar Crash Holly
The Attitude Era brought a lot of diverse gimmicks to the WWE. Crash Holly was introduced as the cousin of Hardcore Holly. The two became known as "The Holly Cousins." They had an abusive relationship with the older cousin Hardcore Holly, always threatening physical harm to his younger cousin.
The Holly Cousins wanted to be known as "super heavyweights." Crash Holly began carrying a weight scale to the ring that became synonymous with his character. The biggest contribution to his time in WWE was his multiple reigns as Hardcore Champion. Crash became known for the unique environment in which he defended the title after it went under 24/7 rules.
From the airport to the funhouse, the Hardcore Championship segments always brought comedy throughout the best years of the Attitude Era. WWE knew what they had in Crash Holly and made him the focal point of this division. Holly was a 22-time hardcore champion overall and really left his mark during this period. He passed away on November 6, 2003.
4) Former WWE Superstar Damian Mizdow
Damian Sandow debuted in WWE as the Savior of the Unwashed Masses. He was the cocky genius who used his vast intelligence to get under the skin of the fans. There was definitely humor in the role, but he faltered after failing to successfully cash in on his Money In The Bank contract. Following his fall down the card, Sandow found himself as the stunt double for The Miz.
The A Lister heavily featured elements of a Hollywood persona to his act and hired Sandow, who was impersonating various legends and celebrities. The two hit it off with Damian Sandow becoming Damian Mizdow. This easily became the funniest character in the WWE and helped both men to get over more. It was the most successful time of Sandow's run and a highlight of Miz's career.
3) Former 53-Time 24/7 Champion R-Truth
R-Truth was always a fan-friendly act with his "What's Up?" theme song being one of the most popular in WWE history. In 2011, Truth underwent a character change and turned heel by betraying John Morrison. He started referring to his fans as "Little Jimmys" and quickly became one of the funniest acts in the company.
R-Truth became delusional after failing to defeat John Cena for the WWE Championship. He started referring to an imaginary friend as Little Jimmy now. The ridiculousness of Truth's character has increased over time and has even seen pull out a ladder to win the Royal Rumble.
Truth's 53 reigns as the 24/7 Champion have brought even more humor to the weekly WWE television product. He has become the face of the title and the division. At a time when the company doesn't do comedy very well, R-Truth has been the most consistent funny act for WWE.
2) Former Two-Time WWE Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella
Santino Marella debuted in WWE as a fan who came out of the crowd and defeated Umage to win the Intercontinental Championship in his first matchup with the company. The Milan Miracle didn't keep fans on his side for long before they turned against his cookie-cutter babyface character. This led to Santino becoming a more humorous, over-the-top persona.
Marella turned heel and started cutting promos designed to get under the skin of the WWE Universe. He did just that and had several entertaining segments with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, among others. Santino also had a finisher in the Cobra that produced laughs from the fans as well.
From promos to fun backstage segments, Santino Marella consistently was the comedic relief on Raw and SmackDown every week. His relationships with Maria and Beth Phoenix always provided laughs and left a mark. This all allowed Santino to become one of the funniest gimmicks in WWE history.
1) Former Two-Time WWE Cruiserweight Champion The Hurricane
Nikki A.S.H. shined in 2021 with a shift from her character to a superhero persona. She was able to use this to win the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match and cash in on Charlotte Flair the following night on Raw. After losing the title, she was able to align herself with Rhea Ripley and win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.
Inspiration for this superhero character had to come from The Hurricane. Gregory Helms came into WWE after a successful run in WCW as part of the Alliance. He had to find a new footing with this new promotion and would embrace his real-life love for comic books to create a fresh new character. Thus, the Hurricane was born!
Helms dyed his hair green and changed his look up to be a take on the Green Latern. The Hurricane was a reliable undercard act until he crossed paths with The Rock during his Hollywood Rock run. The segments with these two men were highly entertaining and hilarious. These backstage skits have aged very well and still make fans laugh.
The Hurricane was a former two-time WWE Tag Team Champion with Kane and Rosey, while also winning European and Hardcore titles. The superhero is considered a legend today for his comedic role during the Ruthless Aggression Era and remains a popular figure. That's why The Hurricane is the best comedy gimmick in WWE history.
