10 Gimmick Changes That FAILED To Save WWE Careers

From Demolition Smash's transformation to the Repo Man to Funaki discovering his real name was Kung Fu Naki, these are 10 Gimmick Changes That FAILED To Save WWE Careers.
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[@jimbo_1312]

Simon Miller from [name redacted] will be sad at repo man's inclusion.

[@thomascars1]

Completely forgot that Jack, Ross, and Adam(s) were a part of [name redacted]

[@syedviqar5011]

I was about to say that

[@kevineames620]

Adams? I think you mean Adam Pacitti and [name redacted]

[@neilboughton2794]

A lot of name redacted going on here.....🤔🤔

[@Destru47]

@@thomascars1 Whatculture

[@forrestredd2706]

I disagree with Funaki. He was over, and became super beloved. Not to mention he started working as one of their primary Japanese announcers afterward. As well as being one of their translators. I would say that is a pretty great career.

[@kingbrahma5005]

INDEED!!!!!

[@ChrisBl33p]

Ah.

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

Dude did well than most Attitude Era mid carders in the long term.

[@lilsunny7399]

the character failed to save his wrestling career though. And honestly going from one half of a very good but very badly mistreated tag team with Taka Michinoku to jobber with a consolation Cruiserweight Title win, to fucking Kung Fu guy is honestly just a continuous downward spiral. oh and also KUNG FU IS CHINESE FFS WWE.

[@norabrandt4078]

INDEED

[@tonythomas2391]

If Jim Neidhart was still living, the Who gimmick could have been brought back alongside The New Day 😄

[@optimus2008]

Who could have been brought back? Fr??

[@Avatar1977]

Ah, Kevin Thorn, the "follower of an alternate lifestyle" because they weren't allowed to actually call him a vampire

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

Isn't "alternative lifestyle" an archaic way of saying LGBTQ?

[@CrackDCat]

You just reminded me... They used to refer to Gangrel as "A goth" and used that exact same line XD

[@daltonpinell6251]

I'd like to see 10 Wrestlers Who Saved their Careers by Turning Heel

[@tomg6220]

Roman reigns , Randy Orton and Dr britt Baker are 3 I can think of

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

And Jericho is another.

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

Usos heel turn in 2016 completely reignited them.

[@ImagineABear]

I found it fascinating that Bastion Booger was originally going to be a Gargoyle type of character, and that's why the grey outfit with the stone pattern. Was going to have an entrance mask too. I wonder how they got from gargoyle to gross guy.

[@lucasblubaugh8786]

Someone tell Simon Miller that Repo man is being besmirched

[@michaelsinger4638]

Ah yes “Kung Fu Naki.” King Fu being a Chinese Martial Art. Funaki is Japanese.

[@kokotheclown2588]

It works 🗿 -WWE creative

[@iamekid]

He's an Asian portraying an Asian -WWE creative

[@oddishhonor]

Hahahaha

[@thebestcentaur]

“Thaaaaat’s racist!” *DING*

[@PrizeJ]

@@thebestcentaur Um no it's stupid, geographically inaccurate, culturally inaccurate, and served nothing to get Funaki over. I stop way short at calling it racist.

[@kingkaz12]

Gotta say, I really liked Rob Conways theme tbh.

[@aaronhurst4379]

Same, and still do lol

[@cjvaye99]

I kinda liked the gimmick because of how corny it was. It was so bad its good kinda thing. His last name is "conway" so we'll make him 'the con man' brilliant. No seriously whoever came up with this should of been fired 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Jesse and Festus were Heavy Machinery before Heavy Machinery were Heavy Machinery

[@Torthrodhel]

I never got why they gave up on that Mordecai gimmick. I was watching WWE at the time and really excited to see where they were going with the opposite-Undertaker. And then the answer just failed to exist. Bleh.

[@jamesb1988]

He was also woefully underprepared. This was the time of the Johnny Ace special where guys would be brought to the main roster WAY before they were ready just to disappear as soon as they had arrived. Gone were the days of OVW well trained workers like Orton, Cena, Haas & Benjamin, Doug Basham, The Damaja, Nick 'Eugene' Dinsmore, and Rob Conway and in there place came such men as: Keno Suzuki Matt Morgan Nathan Jones Mordecai Mark Jindrak Sylvester Terkai Heidenreich Duece & Domino The Gymini Gunner Scott Palmer Cannon Bam Neely The Great Khali Manu Every now and then somebody that was actually talented would show up (CM Punk, Ken Kennedy, Fit Finlay, Dave Taylor, M&M, London & Kendrick) but most of those guys were good in spite of ol' Clubfoot's direction of development, not because of it.

[@Torthrodhel]

That's really interesting, both responses. Learned a bunch! Owch, that's gotta suck. You get called up too early, you're not really gonna say no are you? On the one hand job security and getting your name out there, and on the other hand it shouldn't be a wrestler's job to say who's ready, they should be able to trust management to judge that. Obviously there's been a bunch of poor management on a lot of occasions, this being one. Damn, Johnny Ace is bad at his job. Never hear a good thing about that guy. The sueing thing is unfortunate but I can understand WWE can't really do anything else in a situation like that. Hadn't known that until now.

[@jamesb1988]

@@Torthrodhel Exactly! In the short term it seems like a good move, financially & exposure wise, but if you look at that list I named it's a group with a bunch of potential that was never really fulfilled due to being called up too early. Matt Morgan for instance should have been a star... dude was a legit 6'8" and a shredded 280 lbs, should haven been a huge star. Remember Mason Ryan from The New Nexus? Same deal. Looked like a million bucks but was called up WAY too early and was spoiled because of it.

[@Torthrodhel]

@@jamesb1988 I remember at the time I went off WWE and switched to TNA before later going off TNA and going back to WWE (specifically for NXT). It was nice seeing Morgan have a bit more room to grow after he made the move. I don't think it was TNA doing anything particularly different though, I think it was just the simple fact of more time going by. More time to develop, even if it is in the spotlight. One of their trainers came over to our local fed for a guest session once and I remember seeing the unhappy look on his face when he was talking to us about people getting queue-jumped before they were ready. It wasn't a moment to be speaking up in, but inside I was instantly agreeing. He said if I can do a moonsault they'll have me. After my surprise, I remember thinking, do I want that to be all I mean to them? Shouldn't I aim for better? Moot point since I never managed a moonsault (tricky at 330lbs). Not a high flyer. I wouldn't be there long if I did get picked up, anyway. I certainly wouldn't deserve it as much as whoever I'd be put over, damn. Proud of what I've learned and I've paid a bunch of dues but I'm not good! And I know they routinely refuse people who are good. I think that's why I didn't want to just be a move novelty. I'd wanna belong somewhere, not be begrudged somewhere.

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

@@jamesb1988 Jibdrak was good though.

[@greghuber7497]

here's another list idea : 10 wrestlers who had to vacate titles, but immediately won them back

[@optimus2008]

Edge against Ziggler should fit, nay?

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Shawn Stasiak during The Alliance reminded me of Austin Theory during The Way

[@taurus_1977]

I thought One Man Gang who became Akeem would be on here

[@kurtpaulsen6579]

Dumb and racist as the gimmick was, it had legs for about 3 years... The gimmick didn't fail, just the landscape changed and Gang's plodding style no longer worked with the faster pace that was starting to come into its own

[@jamesb1988]

D-Von being a reverend based solely on the fact that he used to say "testify!!" was doomed from the start.

[@kidvillain188]

Ah yes Simon Miller's favorite wrestler Repo Man

[@alexanderyarini4233]

I think you meant “ah yes Simon Miller, Repo Man”

[@nicktaylor2657]

Thing we're so bad in early 1990s WWF that Superstars needed a second job Repo Man did what he had to do 😏

[@conatser]

Whoa. Didn’t know Stardust was also Rev. D-Von.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Fun fact Yoshi Tatsu was the first wrestler eliminated in the first Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

[@patrickperalta59]

Funaki was Smackdown's Number 1 announcer

[@everett-tnredsfan]

Simon will not give this video and up. Going after Repo man may offend the bald one lol.

[@hhtptai]

The Kung Fu Naki theme song was so fun.

[@turtlehead2]

Bearcat

[@oliverl.5834]

Concerning Neidhart: I've heard the story that Stu called Vince and asked him to give Neidhart a job. Vince didn't want really want to but didn't want to say "no" to Stu either. So he came up with a stupid gimmick to entice Neidhart to leave on his own volition.

[@oliverl.5834]

I have no idea wether that's true, of course.

[@tripletswhitman7851]

@@oliverl.5834 it’s probably not

[@loboblanco4426]

@@oliverl.5834 In a business where EVERYTHING is fiction, I think I'll give this one a pass...

[@badblight]

The Con Man was the Millet Lite of Buff Bagwell. Change my mind

[@thecodester6669]

wasn't their someone in likr between 06-08 who looked like jack sparrow. idk who, but i vaguely remember someone like that edit:oh it was paul burchill. their is another to this list

[@michaelsinger4638]

Paul Burchill. The Pirate thing was fun, bur Vince killed it early and gave him a semi-incest gimmick instead.

[@Filmation77]

1:55 um Simon Miller might take Umbrage with THAT!

[@hvywghtheaver]

I would wear that same exact bandana that Funaki is wearing in the thumbnail during track.

[@FantasyCelebrityWrestling]

Repo man was cool! I still remember him growing up, as part of the golden era! Good days!

[@Torthrodhel]

I really liked Repo Man with his 60s Batman villain energy. :)

[@espurrthestupididiot2405]

Found Simon Miller's burner account.

[@brodogg1313]

Repo man is the goat of 90s job gimmicks. I was legitimately afraid he was gonna show up one day and take my parents cars.

[@BOUNCER13x11]

I always wondered what happened to Mordecai. he was going to get a push right off the bat

[@JcDizon]

I remember when Rob Conway adopted the new gimmick, people in the internet began comparing him to the gay biker from the Village People or Mr. Slave from South Park.

[@pantherhd1]

CAUTION : Be careful if visit Shawn the chiropractor he may secretly record you making noises after he cracked you or worst naked

[@jamesb1988]

I think Stasiak acting like a fool during the invasion was less about the recording incident and more about him blowing the WCW guys planned involvement at WM 17 due to his loud mouth.

[@hhtptai]

That's been explained by both Brian Zane and Cultaholic.

[@jamesb1988]

@@hhtptai And? I was just saying that the reason given in this video (that he got fired for secretly recording people) wasn't the reason he was made to act like a doofus during the Invasion.

[@hhtptai]

@@jamesb1988 I was just saying?

[@iandude1]

Not only did Stasiak turn into Planet Stasiak, which was terrible, but he was also "Meat", which was awful.

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

Repo man gimmick could be a HUGE heel these days due to the economic crisis.

[@elisamaria3628]

Rob conway looked like a dollar store buff bagwell

[@FragItAll]

The Con man looks to much lake Bagwell, probably why he didn't get over😂

[@Nbflowers1989]

Great one!

[@JBar]

you got your card backwards on Windham. It should be the Stalker to Blackjack Windham.

[@thesquaremonger]

I wonder how a face Repo Man would work, like he repossess the heel's cars and jewelry?

[@cooktheant]

I'm kinda surpised Stasiak wasn't on here twice, secondly for Meat. I know a lot of men would like and pay money to be surrounded by Jacqueline, Terri and Ryan Shamrock caressing them, but effectively being a boy toy slave jobber called Meat, isn't exactly Rocky Maivia to The Rock in terms of gimmick changes. The ladies were over...he definitely wasn't. XD

[@TheBillliantOne]

Didn't he start out as Meat?

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

Slam Master J should have joined Cryme Tyme for a bit.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I wish Jesse and Festus would’ve got a tag title run

[@YogiWonKenobi78]

WOW..I didn't ever know that was Jim Neidhart. WHO,not Who?

[@antoniosmith5350]

Conway was awesome. Especially in OVW

[@glitchgoblin1338]

I laughed a little too hard at Kung Fu Naki

[@xtianDESTROYER]

Aaah not so evil kung fu naki ..INDEEEEEEEED!!!

[@wolvie667]

I know it was from WWE to WCW but I feel Typhoon to Shockmaster is the one everybody thinks of

[@emanuelmartinez7267]

Really weird that Rob Conway and Renee didn't pan out. They had the right look and could work in the ring, especially Renee dude had tons of potential only being like 20 when got called up

[@BaloneWithAGoat]

Great video, Adam x

[@gregorydennis6484]

How do you mess up a gimmick like Mordecai

[@seannewberry7941]

I think Barry Darsow did a good turn as The Hamburglar. I mean Repo Man…. 😁😁😁

[@erikhawkke4861]

Exactly how many of those were actually meant to save any careers?

[@oddishhonor]

Pretty sure neidharts kkk gimmick was worse then who?

[@przemboy2007]

Axel?

[@thekornreeper]

Axelmania

[@przemboy2007]

@@thekornreeper omg i forgot about megapowers 2.0 xD

[@glennrugar554]

Ariel was the only good thing to come out of the Kevin Thorne gimmick.

[@darrenblair7230]

Funaki was a pretty great talent honestly

[@wingedhussar1453]

The funny thing is someone like rob Conway would be pushed to the world title these days

[@crokar5835]

vampire, real estate agent, same thing

[@jeremycrockett2692]

Kung-fu Naki is a really interesting gimmick in my opinion 🤔

[@hib6076]

You can't see how stupid it is? It's insanely stereotypical. Not to mention Funaki is Japanese, and Kung Fu is Chinese. It is WWE seeing an Asian superstar and slapping them with THE most stereotypical gimmick possible

[@tmapes1989]

@@hib6076 This was how Jaden Smith almost ruined Jackie Chan's career!!!

[@jeremycrockett2692]

@@hib6076 Why yes, that is a really good point. I can't believe that I didn't thought about that 😳

[@jeremycrockett2692]

@@tmapes1989 I suppose that you are not a fan of The Karate Kid remake, right?

[@tmapes1989]

@@jeremycrockett2692 It wasn't Karate, it was Kung Fu!!! And, Jaden can't act, look at After Earth!!!

[@brodogg1313]

Repo man is the GOAT of 90s job gimmicks, nothing scarier than the idea a guy can just take your stuff as a kid.

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

"The whole fanny pack thong-and-boots look was a bold choice" No. It was a BRAVE choice.

[@jerranspearman3369]

good video

[@DoctorLazers]

Kung Fu Naki was infuriating because Kung Fu is a Chinese art but Funaki is Japanese. He wore a Karate gi (also Japanese).

[@rivahkillah]

Yeah, and Japanese people aren't allowed to learn kung-fu

[@tylermcauliffe1065]

Naked Mideon was fucking hilarious

[@jeremybird3467]

A legend like terry gordy as a masked wrestler called the executioner is ridiculous...i mean he was brought in to feud with undertaker...undertaker v terry "bam bam" gordy wouldve drawn attention...terry gordy was a freaking fabulous freebird...i mean they named a tag team rule after them...the freebird rule....

[@DerekWrites]

'Just Look at Me' is an awesome song, I will hear no opinions to the contrary

[@baung419]

Why would you do Simon MIller's boy like that?....

[@beesly01]

Uh oh, Simon Miller is gonna freak...

[@docreed423]

Funaki was my guy !!

[@hunterwade9030]

It’s so Anvil would not screw up again

[@therealperish4410]

I actually really liked Rob Conway too

[@dark_willow]

I refuse any slander against repo man

[@cerebralfanatic]

Why don't I remember kung fu naki?

[@lilpoetat]

thanks!

[@meltedcopper9247]

Simon miller loves repo man

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

Who portrayed Doink the Clown? Wasn't that Smash?

No, Matt Borne (most of the times on TV)

[@kylesmith6277]

god i was so ready for Mordecai to develop in the roster. if they gave him more time to develop and work it would have been a really cool gimmick and opponent for taker in the future. i was prepared for a solid 6 months of shit matches and storylines maybe even a year before he picked up some momentum but it was sad to see the whole thing scrapped. if you look at takers matches around that time a seasoned Mordecai would have been perfect for a taker match in one of the ppvs he is best known to come back for work and would have been another nice cushion to takers already slow decline. wwe was just so quick to change things or completely throw away ideas at that time though which was a huge part to why we dont have that many seasoned wrestlers to put over new talent. even his vampire gimmick was pretty sick but the whole ECW thing was just another bad decision made on his career. typical though. you had to be something really damn special for them to go out of their way for or last through ECW on scifi. shame.

[@ASCUMBAGWh0re]

The undertaker didn't FAILED to get them over. That's their job

[@thekornreeper]

Nice

[@ArthurKillingsworthJr]

Where is A Train/Albert to Lord Tensai ???

[@catisreckless4647]

Better not let Simon hear you talking smack about Repo Man.

[@alexandermoshenko4416]

I am genuinely surprised that Chavo Guerrero to Kirwin White isn't even on the list, a Hall of Fame wrestler being made to act like a white friend of Carlton Banks 🤦

[@ryanleach3153]

It’s because Chavo went straight into main event feud’s after that gimmick. Benjamin for the IC title, Orton, Mysterio, Benoit for the US Title, then he won another Cruiserweight title before getting that big Main Event push and winning a world title, hell dude was in big main event matches multiple times a week against guys like Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair and CM Punk If anything he is a prime example of someone who was pushed to the moon after a shit gimmick

[@alexandermoshenko4416]

@@ryanleach3153 didn't all of that happen post-Eddie death? They gave Rey a world title run for the same reason

[@martinrubio3489]

Mordceai was suppose to feud with the undertaker

[@landeny65]

Why does Mideon have a Freddie Mercury tattoo

[@thesprock5270]

Cause he’s a big Queen fan?

[@Zanatos9]

Repoman was awesome!

[@majormacintosh5048]

I dont think repo man should be on this list.

[@martinrubio3489]

Slam master j didnt work

[@blockhead8134]

Repo man was fuckin badass

[@cheriblossom983]

I love Funaki

[@isaiahcruz317]

But isn’t Funaki Japanese? And isn’t Japan known for Karate and not kung fu?

[@seanm2600]

How dare you speak ill of Naked Mideon!

[@nickmontoya3001]

Whos that in the ring?

[@panimho]

Kevin Fertig would be the best wrestler,but Vince didn't liked Vampires so that's why he burried the gimmick he and Ariel (Shelly Martinez) are the biggest wrestling wasted talents

[@FigWidIt]

Don't do my boy Fu Naki dirty with the thumbnail lmao! Even as a teen watching weekly WWE I knew Kung Fu Naki was an old boomer racist joke, got a Japanese talent? Give him a Chinese martial arts gimmick lol. Back when WWE PPVs would start with a quick introduction of each different language commentary team and I'd always pop for the boy Fu Naki on Japanese commentary

[@JackTheSlayer-ok5eq]

Hello there

[@CrackDCat]

What happened to Kevin Thorn sucked. I actually liked Kevin Thorn. And Fertig himself seems like a very nice person... You bet your ass there's shitloads of indy Kevin Thorn vs Gangrel matches though XD

[@omarmass7292]

Repo man was awesome wtf

[@lloyd3690]

Now I’ll take issue with Rob Conway. I loved the Con Man. He had a great look and a fantastic theme! Should have done more lol

[@hunterwade9030]

Repo Man was ok