10 Times Wrestlers Fooled You Into Thinking They Were Someone Else
Because sometimes being yourself just won't get the job done in the ring.
When it comes to masked superstars and painted personalities in the wrestling business, certain men and women have etched their likenesses firmly into the pages of wrestling history.
However, when other wrestlers moonlight as these superstars, the payoff can be brilliant. Seeing the imposters peel back their disguise can make for shocking TV.
On the other hand, when done poorly without forethought, the results can be beyond underwhelming. For proof, look no further than Ken Anderson dressing as "Surfer Sting" in TNA - a persona "The Stinger" hadn't used in decades.
Worse still, how about the time Sting himself wore a Sting mask to hide the fact he was actually Sting? Either Steve Borden had decided to take double bluffing to a new level, or he had gained a PhD in Reverse Psychology at Warrior University. Either way, the results were baffling.
Luckily for wrestling fans, more often than not, the payoffs rarely disappoint. There’s nothing quite like a bit of pro wrestling misdirection to leave you speechless. With shock value a proven ingredient in any good wrestling angle, a classic case of mistaken identity can instantly make a good feud great.
Join us as we peel back the mask on ten wrestlers that fooled us all...
10. The Undertaker As Kane
When The Undertaker was scheduled to face Kane and Mankind on the July 6th, 1998, episode of Raw, fans were surprised when The Undertaker failed to make an appearance, despite his music being played.
With his opponents waiting in the ring and a shot at Steve Austin's WWF Title on the line, it seemed strange that ‘Taker would forfeit such an opportuntity. Nevertheless, with no Undertaker in sight, Vince McMahon ordered the two participants present to go at it, changing the Triple Threat to a singles match between Mankind and Kane.
As recurring tag partners at the time, Mankind was reluctant to oblige; however, Kane clearly had no problem laying into his supposed friend. When his guard was down, "The Big Red Machine" viciously teed off on Mankind with a steel chair.
Moments later, Kane rolled his opponent in the ring and covered him for the three count, as a stunned crowd looked on. When the referee called for the bell, the monstrous victor removed his mask to reveal that "Kane" had, in fact, been The Undertaker all along and The Phenom was now the number one contender to Austin’s title.
Undertaker would pull a similar stunt less than one year later, during his feud with Mr McMahon. On the eve of WrestleMania XV, 'Taker - as Kane - would beat up Triple H, before momentarily confronting the WWF Chairman and disappearing into the darkness.