7 Old-school gimmicks that would have worked in WWE today

A picture taken before the man on the left became Big Poppa Pump...

Sports Entertainment in 2017 is not exactly what it used to be in the late 80s and early 90s. The characters are not as flamboyant and larger-than-life as they used to be when Hulkamania ran wild, brother!

They’re in far better shape than say, The Natural Disasters ever were. While many fans complain even now about the childishness of the current WWE product, it is rooted in far more logic and seriousness than it was in the Golden Era.

That said, we think that these seven gimmicks would have worked just as well in 2017 as they did back then. We present seven timeless characters who the audience would lap up if they were to be introduced on Raw or Smackdown today! Read on, guys.


#7 Alundra Blayze

Alundra Blayze could have been the fifth Horsewoman in the year 2017

She gained notoriety and infamy after she threw the Women's Champion into the garbage on WCW Monday Nitro. However, before that, Alundra Blayze helped put women's wrestling on the map.

As Alundra Blayze, she was the quintessential babyface and to be honest, arrived two decades too soon in the company. She hardly ever had quality opponents to work against, and would have fared far better in today's product.

Of course, this begs the question; would the current product have had quality women's wrestlers if not for the legacy of Alundra Blayze? Despite all of that, imagine how good a match between Alundra in her prime and Charlotte could have been!

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#6 King Kong Bundy

Named after an infamous serial killer, and one of the best-known monsters in pop culture

Long before Big E pinned down his opponents for a 5-count on NXT, there was a ferocious and vicious heel called King Kong Bundy, who did the same. For those who are unfamiliar with the man, he can be dubbed the Braun Strowman of the Golden Era of WWE. Never the finest worker, but his presence made up for it.

King Kong Bundy had classic matches against some of the biggest Superstars of classic era WWE, such as Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant. At a time when there are so few big men in wrestling, someone like King Kong Bundy would have been a great addition to the current product. With his mic skills, he could have worked some great angles too!

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#5 Yokozuna

Yokozuna could have been the perfect fit for WWE today

Now that WWE is far more international than it ever was, Yokozuna would have been the perfect fit!

A big man who could work well, he would definitely be a main eventer in today's WWE product. Imagine the matches a man with his skill could have had with Brock Lesnar, or even a fellow Samoan big man in Samoa Joe (Yokozuna wasn’t Japanese, but Samoan).

As for his gimmick, a sumo wrestler would have been just as relevant in today's product, as he would have been over two decades ago. However, he would probably need a more up-to-date manager than Mr Fuji. A Paul Heyman guy, maybe?

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#4 Mr Perfect

Mr Perfect would have been a beloved IWC superstar in 2017

If the internet had existed during the time, Curt Hennig aka Mr Perfect would have excelled in the role of the IWC favourite. Just like he did in everything else. Whether it was in the ring, at the commentary desk or even as the ‘executive consultant’ for Ric Flair, Hennig was just perfect in every single way.

Because his gimmick wasn't over the top and overblown like a lot of other gimmicks from the time, Mr Perfect would have fared perfectly in today's WWE environment. We don't even need to discuss the amazing matches he would have had, against the talent of today! With Bobby Heenan by his side, his segments were just pure magic!

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#3 Bam Bam Bigelow

Perhaps the best athletic big man in company history.

While Curt Henning has become a bigger legend than he ever was after his demise, Bam Bam Bigelow never got the acclaim he really deserved all through his career. Not only was he an incredible worker with unmatched athletic prowess, his tough guy look was unique indeed.

Maybe this is the reason Bigelow had a career that spanned all three promotions- WWF, ECW and WCW. With his tattoos and rugged appearance, Bigelow was someone you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.

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#2 The Steiner Brothers

Did someone say American Alpha?

Rick and Scott Steiner wore the colours of the University of Michigan, and their amateur wrestling background was reflected in their in-ring work. Their gimmick was not too dissimilar to say, Team Angle or even the current Smackdown Tag Team Champions American Alpha.

They are a team that would have fared wonderfully in today’s WWE and probably had some great matches with American Alpha, The Revival and #DIY. Although truth be told, Scott Steiner is pretty cool as the Genetic Freak.

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Honourable Mention 1: Waylon Mercy

A completely genius character, far ahead of its time

Waylon Mercy would have absolutely made our list (drink it in, man!), except that Bray Wyatt’s character is based on the same and is a modern day adaptation of his classic floral shirted weird man gimmick.

There are obvious dissimilarities (Wyatt is a doomsday prophet while Mercy was a psychopath), but their appearances are quite similar indeed.


Honourable Mention 2: Jake ‘The Snake' Roberts

Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts’ character inspired Bray Wyatt as well

Jake ‘The Snake' Roberts was a character far ahead of his time. Unlike the other Superstars who cut promos in loud, brash voices, Jake Roberts would drop his volume to a minimum when he delivered his enigmatic lines.

However, while his character would be ideal for 2017, we wonder how well he would fare without his python because of all the restrictions in today's WWE. He probably would not have had as much of an impact without his snake.

#1 Rowdy Roddy Piper

Hot Rod would have been over in almost any era!

Rowdy 'Roddy' Piper played a character that still resonates with fans, so many years after he called it quits in wrestling. The man in a kilt, whose temper would flare like molten lava, has been one of the most important characters in the history of professional wrestling.

It did help that he was a pretty great wrestler as well. At a time when both babyfaces and heels fail to get reactions, Hot Rod had a persona that would get the WWE universe invested in the man. Piper vs. The Miz would have been a dream feud!

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