10 Worst WWE Gimmicks Of 2016

Excuse me sir: can I interest you in a timeshare?

Karl Anderson Luke Gallows
WWE.com

As one of the world’s most outlandish forms of entertainment, it’s only natural for professional wrestling to throw-out a terrible character from time-to-time. As much as we love to discuss Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and the other all-time greats, wrestling’s worst gimmicks are often as memorable as the sport’s best, and wrestling just wouldn’t be the same without its rotating cast of weirdos.

The Gobbledy Gooker only appeared on television a handful of times, but Hector Guerrero’s oversized turkey remains one of the most talked-about gimmicks in WWE history. The same goes for Duke Droese, Bastion Booger, and the countless other atrocities that Vince McMahon has unleashed on the wrestling world. There’s very little quality control in WWE’s creative team, and these gimmicks are living proof.

Cringeworthy gimmicks have been a constant throughout WWE’s lifespan, and if 2016 is anything to go by, the trend won’t be dying anytime soon. Raw and SmackDown are as rife with bad gimmicks as they’ve ever been, as 2016 draws to a close, it’s time to take a look at the year’s absolute worst.

Last year saw Macho Man-Dow scoop top honours, but with three of last year’s top five out of the company all-together, there are plenty of options for new faces to step up to the mantle. How will they stack up? Let’s find out.

Here are the 10 worst WWE gimmicks of 2015.

10. Jinder Mahal

Karl Anderson Luke Gallows
WWE.com

News that WWE were looking to pad-out their roster with returning faces for the Brand Split sent the rumour mill into overdrive earlier this year, but fans who’d crossed their fingers for Kurt Angle and MVP were left sorely disappointed.

With all due respect to Jinder Mahal, his name probably wasn’t on too many wishlists. The guy continually struggled to get over during his initial run with the company, and was only ever halfway to relevant as 3MB’s third wheel. Now, he exists primarily to fill space on Superstars or the odd enhancement match on Raw, and that’s about it.

His gimmick stinks, too. Though his new persona’s only been featured on television a couple of times, Jinder has been rebranded as the pseudo-Buddhist “Man Who Comes in Peace.” When on the air, Jinder’s constantly preaching on enlightenment, spirituality, and wellness, but it clearly isn’t working for him: the poor fool usually winds-up unconscious.

Jinder doesn’t have the charisma to pull-off such an obtuse gimmick, and his lack of use suggests that WWE have little faith in it ever getting over. It makes you wonder why he was even brought back in the first place.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.