#1 “Best”: The Honky Tonk Man - Elvis - WWF
In the world of pro wrestling, it was almost inevitable that someone was eventually going to take up an “Elvis impersonator” gimmick. After all, there was George Ring, the Wrestle Beatle. Why not Elvis. And, when Honky Tonk Man first started in the WWF, he played the character straight, as a face. It did not go over well. So, he simply reinvented himself as a cocky, arrogant heel - complete with a sleazy manager, “Col.” Jimmy Hart (much like Elvis’s manager, Col. Tom Parker).
It worked. Honky recorded his own theme music, carried around “gold records”, strummed his guitar, was followed around by his “backup singers”, and more. He went all-in with the gimmick, and the fans hated him. He was the longest reigning Intercontinental champion in history and even had his own “band” when he teamed with Greg Valentine as “Rhythm and Blues”.
He may not have been the best wrestler, but Honky had the best music related gimmick ever.
