Guest JMA Report post Posted February 21, 2003 I will be doing a series of threads on good gimmicks that went bad. Basically, this is when an innovative gimmick or idea takes a turn for the worse. Feel free to start your own if you'd like. The Undertaker When The Undertaker first appeared in the World Wrestling Federation his gimmick was very innovative. His gimmick was, of course, that of an undertaker. A very morbid and intimidating man he was. He seemed to focus entirely too much on the macabre. Not only that, he didn't respond to pain. One would almost think that this man was a former undertaker who decided to become a wrestler. The fear factor is almost not to be denied. Sure, people like Andre the Giant were feared. But Andre was a gentle giant who couldn't hide his nature. Then you had truly insane guys like Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher. But here was a guy that focused on a subject virtually taboo in wrestling: death. His gimmick, ring ability, and mic skills would soon make him "the Phenom." But, alas, all good things must come to an end. The gimmick went south when The Undertaker starting acting like a zombie. Sure, he wasn't receptive to pain before, but he was still portrayed as human. Further down the line he started developing quasi-mystical powers. Take into account you had Paul Bearer camping it up. I never thought The Undertaker needed a manager, he gave promos fine himself (even in his early days in the WWF). Under the Russo era The Undertaker seemed to develop more human traits than ever before. He talked about Vince McMahon, his place in the company, ect. This was a great insight into his character. Sadly, the arrival on his crispy-fried "brother" changed this. The original idea for Kane was pretty laughable. Glenn Jacobs should be commended to this day for making a bad gimmick into an exceptable one. We now come to the Ministry. Taker seemed to be develop more human traits in this role as well. He seemed to assume the role of leader of a cult based on death, the apocolypse, and rebirth of the individual through darkness and accepting him as their savior. Finally we come to most human aspect of the character: the biker/Mark Calloway. More of a mix of who The Undertaker really is combined with his reputation in the ring. This now ends this session of good gimmicks gone bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2003 I'm not huge on Taker myself but I thought his Ministry phase absolutely TANKED. Maybe it's just me but I didn't buy into the whole demonic theme. The best incarnation of Taker thus far has to be the original. He was like a Terminator ... didn't feel pain and never stayed down. Went undefeated for his entire rookie year as well. Well, as far as TV was concerned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 21, 2003 I really don't think the Gimmick went bad, save for that HORRENDOUS 1995 year for taker...I liked the Humanization of Taker starting when Mankind came around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 21, 2003 the bad Undertaker Gimmicks 1. the mask 2. two Undertakers 3. burned then reborn on tv screens or was it the 1st gen Titan Tron 4. Ministry, Russo at his worst, the group got too big, then Higher Power BS and the introduction of Stephanie to the WWF Mean Mark the weekend biker is ok as the bad ass Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 21, 2003 I see Taker as a bad gimmick gone good. I mean, he's an undertaker/wrestler - that's retarded. But what was good was: -The No Selling -The Look -The Music (I maintain taker was over because of his kick-ass entrance...) -The BodyBags (ok, maybe not the body bags, but dammit I liked em!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 21, 2003 Ack, I really should have finished that... Anyways, yeah, so all of those things combined made the fans totally dig him (cause it wasn't his matches ). I blame Takers success (and Vince McMahons idiocy) for the rise of the 'gimmick-era' of the early-mid 90's. Vince didn't "get" that what made Taker popular wasn't because he was an Undertaker/Wrestler, it was because of the cool music and the look - and that wouldn't translate well for an accountant or a garbage man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CED Ordonez Report post Posted February 21, 2003 What about Doink the Clown? Played by Matt Bourne as the deranged lunatic underneath a cute facade, it was pretty damn cool. It went to pots after Steve Lombardi and others took the role and the gimmick was made kiddie-friendly though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tpww7 Report post Posted February 21, 2003 Doink was fucking awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SupaTaft Report post Posted February 21, 2003 I have always loved the Undertaker and dug every part of his gimmick. I will always remember when he took the Big Show as his apprentice. The promo he cut talking about giving the cocky young man a lesson in respect by driving out into the desert with him, both on motorcycles and puncturing Show's gas tank leaving him to fend for himself in the desert. Taker then talks about how Show returned after several days with his bike on his shoulder and a new pair of snakeskin boots. I marked out like a son of a bitch. One thing though, I know the purpose of the mask was to protect his face when his nose got broke, but was their any sort of a gimmicm attatched to it? Did they ever even make mention of the damn thing? I would know but my folks didn't feel like shelling out $7 for the commemorative Undertaker magazine. *grumble* -Taft Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2003 One thing though, I know the purpose of the mask was to protect his face when his nose got broke, but was their any sort of a gimmicm attatched to it? Did they ever even make mention of the damn thing? I would know but my folks didn't feel like shelling out $7 for the commemorative Undertaker magazine. He wore the mask after a major beat down at the hands of King Mabel (in which both Shawn Michaels and Diesel were equally beat down by Shane Douglas, the Bulldog, Owen, and Yoko). Mabel broke Taker's eye socket and he took about 6 weeks off to recover. Then he came back with the mask on. The commentators kept saying Mabel had smashed the Undertaker's face into pieces - so it worked out. Taker wore it for about 2 months until Bret Hart broke it off during their match at the 96 Rumble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 22, 2003 Anyone have any suggestions on who my next "good gimmicks gone bad" should be about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tank_abbott Report post Posted February 22, 2003 Bad sign if your already taking suggestions.... But..... Geogre Steele, Missing Link, both psychos turned comedy bits can get you going... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted February 22, 2003 Hmmm...maybe you should also do (or have somebody else do) a counter-thread called "Bad gimmicks gone good." I'd love to see a "Bad gimmicks gone good" on Goldust, and especially on 3Count. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest saturnmark4life Report post Posted February 22, 2003 3 minute warning, because as soon as they named them '3 minute warning' they stopped doing the 3 minute thing. I suppose it's hardly a good gimmick, because sooner or later they'd have to have a match, but they got reasonably over before being completely exposed. I think they've missed an opportunity with Tommy Dreamer, because if they had the HHHorsemen beat the living SHIT out of him every week, and just have him coming back for more despite not having a chance, people would get behind him. Then he could run into a HHH match and murder him with the cane costing him the match, and he'd be over. I'm not saying he should be in a main event feud, but the whole fighting spirit thing could be a great idea. The thing about WWE and good ideas is once they have one, they RUN IT INTO THE GROUND, and thus everyone hates it. I think the HLA thing with Bischoff bringing in lesbians to rival stephanie's gay wedding was pretty clever, as was his 'I'm surrounded by a hoard of lesbians' bit withthe feminists. We didn't need a t shirt, or the pushing of 'HLA'. The whole 'it's got to have a slogan to get over' thing doesn't work in every context. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Respect The 'Taker Report post Posted February 23, 2003 When Doink was doing his whole 'evil clown' thing, he was GOD, hands down. I think in a match where he faced Crush, the ref searched him only to find something ridiculous such as a baseball bat inside his jacket. Doink ruled. As for Taker, I'm with Rudo on this one, after seeing the Taker for the first time, that being him just walking to the ring, I really got into him. UYI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dmann2000 Report post Posted February 24, 2003 Doink was fucking awesome. Oooh, I just thought of something, wouldn't it have been cool if Evil Doink in 93 had started a fued with Undertaker, the jist being that all Doink wanted was to see the "unhappy, sad" Undertaker smile? He'd be screaming "LAUGH DEADMAN LAUGH!". Well it damn sure would've been better than UT vs Giant Gonzoles and Doink vs Crush Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest snuffbox Report post Posted February 24, 2003 Im reminded of the Waylon Mercy character...a great gimmick that was terribly underutilized...i thought it was pretty cool shit back in the day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CED Ordonez Report post Posted February 25, 2003 Waylon Mercy is more of a good gimmick that never had a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted February 26, 2003 What about Doink the Clown? Played by Matt Bourne as the deranged lunatic underneath a cute facade, it was pretty damn cool. It went to pots after Steve Lombardi and others took the role and the gimmick was made kiddie-friendly though. What made doink compelling intially was Matt Borne's Interpretation of the Character and the fact Borne's Natural 2nd Generation Wrestling Ability was able to Shine through the Evil Clown Heel Moves and outside activity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest My Eyebrow is on fire Report post Posted February 26, 2003 I really don't think the Gimmick went bad, save for that HORRENDOUS 1995 year for taker...I liked the Humanization of Taker starting when Mankind came around... isn't it true UT v.s. Diesel revived the house show business in 95? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Plushy Al Logan Report post Posted February 26, 2003 The Dungeon of Doom went stale after they stopped beating on Hogan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 26, 2003 What made doink compelling intially was Matt Borne's Interpretation of the Character and the fact Borne's Natural 2nd Generation Wrestling Ability was able to Shine through the Evil Clown Heel Moves and outside activity. I never did like Doink. But I did like Matt Borne. Especially when he was "Borne Again." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 26, 2003 I'd love to see a "Bad gimmicks gone good" on Goldust... How did Goldust have a bad gimmick? He was introduced as an effeminant man from Hollywood who liked gold. He kind of reminded me of a cross-dresser from West Hollywood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest saturnmark4life Report post Posted February 26, 2003 Goldust was a tremendous gimmick, I still can't believe he came out of that era. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Your Olympic Hero Report post Posted March 4, 2003 Good gimmicks gone bad? Motherfucking BAD ASS Taz changing over to motherfucking FAT ASS Tazz announcing on Smackdown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted March 5, 2003 Goldust was a tremendous gimmick, I still can't believe he came out of that era. Agreed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted March 5, 2003 Good gimmicks gone bad? Motherfucking BAD ASS Taz changing over to motherfucking FAT ASS Tazz announcing on Smackdown. Ditto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Breetai Report post Posted March 7, 2003 Bad gimmiks gone good; REPO MAN!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
