10 Insane Inspirations Behind Famous Wrestling Gimmicks

10. Papa Shango Was Inspired By Baron Samedi

Papa Shango was one of the first WWE gimmicks of Charles Wright - a man who also portrayed the likes of Kama, the Godfather and the Goodfather. Brought to the then WWF on the advice of his friend the Undertaker, after a failed gimmick as Sir Charles, he became Papa Shango - a voodoo practitioner worse a top hat and creepy make-up, carried a skull to the ring and who would put curses on his opponents and victims (such as making the Ultimate Warrior vomit and making a strange green liquid stream out of Mean Gene Okerlund). The gimmick was inspired by the James Bond villain Baron Samedi who was, in turn, inspired by the Haitian Loa (a spirit) of the same name. Despite being portrayed as a threat to major stars like the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan, the gimmick was received terribly and only lasted little over a year.