5 Wrestlers Who Overcame Strange Gimmicks and Achieved Success

#4. Dolph Ziggler - Nicky from the Spirit Squad

NICKY!

Dolph Ziggler's WWE career had a very rocky start. In 2005, Chavo Guerrero was dealing with his own bad gimmick. Chavo was wrestling as Kerwin White, who was supposed to be a "Golfer". Ziggler debuted as Kerwin's "Caddy" but after Eddie Guerrero's death Chavo's gimmick was quickly dropped and Ziggler was sent back to OVW.

In 2006, Vince McMahon was feuding with a re-united D-X and was looking for a group to help him. McMahon could have assembled a huge heel faction capable of mass destruction but instead opted for a male cheer-leading squad who would perform routines mid-match. It was as ridiculous as it sounds and despite winning the tag team championship it was impossible to take them seriously. Ziggler was "Nicky". The group went nowhere fast and were literally shipped back to OVW. D-X actually trapped them in a shipping crate stamped "OVW, Kentucky".

He was re-packaged and re-debuted as Dolph Ziggler and went has gone on to become a 2 time World Heavyweight Champion and a 6-time Intercontinental Champion. It's incredible that he went from male cheerleader to World Champion in a few short years. Only in wrestling folks.