10 Ideas That WWE Stole From Other Companies

10. Ripping-Off The Road Warriors

Known for their dominant, take-no-prisoners style and unique post-apocalyptic look, The Road Warriors are one of the most recognisable tag teams of all-time. Their 1980’s run through the AWA and NWA is legendary, and provides one of the earliest examples of Vince McMahon looking elsewhere for inspiration.

It started with The Powers of Pain, but peaked with Demolition. Ax and Smash would become a legendary tag team in their own right, but they borrowed heavily from Hawk and Animal. From the face paint and studded leather to their power-based wrestling game, everything about Demolition stunk of WWE attempting to recreate the Road Warriors in their own company.

Demolition were a prototypical 1980's tag team, and a great counterpoint to more technique-based units like the Hart Foundation and Brain Busters. They'd never completely shake off their "carbon copy" tag, but Ax and Smash were one of WWE's most popular tag teams in their heyday, and their combined 698-day Tag Team Title reign remains a a company record.