5 WWE gimmicks that would have had interesting runs in different eras

Give him a microphone. Period.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper in the Reality Era

Roddy Piper was (and in all probability still is) one of the greatest wielders of a microphone to grace the landscape of the WWE. His critically acclaimed talk show, the Piper’s Pit, often featured the Rowdy One ripping into opponents verbally and how!

In the internet age, when believability sells more than a larger-than-life persona and amidst the blurred lines of Kayfabe, Roddy Piper would have been in his element. After all, believability was a trait that accompanied Piper throughout his legendary career.Roddy Piper figured out the fine line of balance between incorporating Crash TV into WWE programming and yet not allowing it to intrude on the integrity of the pro-wrestling aspect of the production. The Reality era would have provided the perfect backdrop for Piper to let fly and weekly episodes of the Piper’s pit could really have done no harm for the ratings.

Despite his career not being glittered with championship reigns that his anti-thesis Hulk Hogan enjoyed, Roddy Piper cemented his legendary status in the WWE thanks to his mercurial oratorical skills and his truculent personality. His contribution to the business was markedly distinct in an era surrounded by larger-than-life personas and childish programming, which brings me to the question – how well would Piper have done in the Reality Era?Just when you think you know the answer to that, you can be sure that Roddy Piper though, will change the question!

Need I say more?

Dean Ambrose in the Attitude Era

As evidenced amply, Dean Ambrose is anything but the prototypical babyface. His shabby look is only further accentuated by his brawler style but he possesses energy and verve in abundance. His personality has caught on with the audience so much so that he has been singularly elevated to the WWE Title picture, with Roman Reigns merely settling for a bit-part role in proceedings.

Lately, the unpredictability of Ambrose has earned rave reviews and comparisons to a particular Superstar of note. In near Austin-esque fashion, Dean Ambrose gets arrested, and comes back in a police vehicle to get even with his boss(es). The WWE’s play on the similarities between the two are apparent for all to see which lends itself to the idea that Dean Ambrose would have been a handful, even in an all-action Attitude Era that featured stars aplenty.

The enthusiasm that Dean Ambrose displays for the business is one of the main reasons why the audience gravitate towards him, and given his fixation with ECW in his younger days, one can surmise that the chaos and anarchy that the Attitude Era entailed may have provided a scenario where Ambrose would not only have survived, but also thrived.

Couple that with the understated wit and humour that he evinces on the microphone with the ability to put on intense and interesting matches with just about anybody. Dean Ambrose then, one has to agree, is a Superstar who could have rubbed shoulders with the some of the biggest draws in the company in its most popular era.