5 Wrestling gimmicks that were inspired by somebody else

Gimmicks are crucial in Professional Wrestling, some of them can kill careers on the spot
Gimmicks are crucial in Professional Wrestling, some of them can kill careers on the spot

# 3 Abyss / Mankind

Mankind's gimmick would later inspire Abyss in TNA/Impact
Mankind's gimmick would later inspire Abyss in TNA/Impact

If you asked people to think of a psychopathic wrestler in a half mask, most people would instantly think of Mick Foley's iconic Mankind character.

Mick Foley originally wrestled as the psychotic Cactus Jack character during runs in Japan and ECW. However, when Foley was signed to the WWE, he sat down with Vince McMahon to hammer out what his gimmick would be going forward. What they created was the sadistic monster known as Mankind. Mankind would scream "mommy" during matches, lived in the Boiler rooms of arenas and had a pet rat named George, with whom he would speak.

Mankind became a staple of the WWF main event scene in the late 90's, along with the likes of Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Undertaker, and the Rock. Foley's Mankind gimmick took off and got him more success than most people would have anticipated, as the character connected with people in the audience. So popular was the Mankind character during the Monday Night Wars between WWF and WCW, that when WCW Tony Schiavone spoiled the end of his title match with the Rock, millions of fans turned to WWF from WCW's broadcast, setting in motion Raw's victory in the Monday night wars.

Mankind would go on to become the most notable hardcore legend in the WWF, as the inaugural Hardcore Champion, as well as being famous for his almost deadly Hell in a Cell match against the Undertaker.

Abyss, on the other hand, is one of the few big wrestlers that never made it to the WWE, despite being made an offer. Abyss made his name in TNA, signing for the company back in 2002, and debuted his Abyss character the following year. He was thrown into feuds with AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy not long after signing for the company and soon became a staple of their main-event scene. Similarly to Foley in the WWE, Abyss became notable for his sadistic style and penchant for hardcore wrestling.

Abyss, like Mankind, was also successful at winning the main belts in the company, winning the NWA Heavyweight title from Sting at TNA's Genesis PPV in 2006. Abyss also held tag team gold with AJ Styles, James Storm, and Crazzy Steve during his time with TNA. During Abyss' time with TNA, he also got to wrestle Foley, after Foley signed for the company in 2008. The two even had a short feud together during Foley's tenure with TNA in 2009, including a hardcore match at Bound for Glory.

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Meet the man who called CM Punk the softest man alive HERE

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