10 Wrestlers Who 'Borrowed' What Got Them Over
10. Black Machismo
Black Machismo is what happens when theft is so blatant, so open with it's 'inspiration', that it almost goes full circle and becomes its own creation.
Almost.
Jay Lethal (who's no stranger to adopting other wrestler's moves, like the Dynamite Kid's diving headbutt, or Ric Flair's Figure Four) was appearing in an American Idol-style segment on an episode of TNA Impact! back in 2006, during which he did a very impressive Randy Savage impression.
A few weeks later, Kevin Nash, who had promised to give Lethal a new look to help his career, introduced him to the crowd as Black Machismo aka what would happened if Tyler Perry directed a shot for shot remake of the Macho Man's career.
He would come down to the ring in Savage's clothes, to a remix of 'Pomp and Circumstance', would regularly use 'Ooooooohhhh Yeeeeeaaahhh' as his catchphrase and adopted several of Savage's moves, including the double axe handle from the top rope, and the diving elbow drop. He even proposed to his girlfriend Val in exactly the same way (although unlike Savage and Miss Elizabeth's, their wedding at Slammiversary broke out into the typical fight).
The gimmick was popular, lasting a number of years and leading Lethal to three X-Division championship reigns. In interviews (such as with Barbaric Wrestling Radio), Lethal claims that Savage spoke to him about the gimmick and had no issues with it, effectively giving him his blessing.