10 WWE Superstars Who Need To Revert To Their Old Gimmick
They say never go back. Unless, you know, it's for the good of your career.
Sometimes a gimmick change can bring a new lease of life to a character. Just look at Roman Reigns as the ultimate example.
Stuck in an endless sea of resentment (is that where the Island of Relevancy is?), even after his battle with Leukaemia, Roman was destined to be one of WWE's most misguided failures. But his return in 2020 as the Tribal Chief birthed a megastar. After bungling Daniel Bryan's improbable return in 2018, the course was corrected when Bryan turned heel and became 'The New' Daniel Bryan, complete with eco-friendly title belt. Dare we say it, but Gunther actually seems to be working?
There are some notable failures along the way. Emma's transition to Emmalina and then subsequent, immediate transition back, killed her WWE career cold. Bearcat Lee was an abysmal use of Keith Lee, who had a genuine connection with the fans. Dominatrix Karrion Kross. End of. Is it any wonder than Adam Cole allowed his contract to run down as opposed to cutting his hair and changing his name?
There are multiple instances of current WWE Superstars who had a good, sometimes even great, gimmick, that has been changed and it just hasn't worked out. These stars aren't unsalvageable, and perhaps with Triple H as Head of Creative, he can just roll back these stars to the gimmicks that made them superstars in the first place.
10. 'Broodish' Edge Back To 'Rated R Superstar' Edge
Is it too soon to comment on yet another gimmick change for Edge?
The man is, rightfully so, a WWE legend, but he has chopped and changed his presentation so much since his incredible return that it's undercut its impact. His main event at WrestleMania 37 alongside Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan, along with his trilogy with Seth Rollins, have more than proved his value to the top end of the card.
So, why is Edge so insistent on trying to be the new Undertaker?
Controversial take here, but the Brood were crap. They had a cool entrance and theme, but beyond the first blood bath, the gimmick quickly ran out of steam. Nostalgia paints everything in a different shade, but Edge didn't set off on the path to superstardom until he and Christian became goofballs. The Judgment Day (don't worry, we'll get to them) felt like pandering and it just didn't work.
With TV-14 potentially coming soon, a return to the 'Rated-R Superstar' gimmick was right there, yet Edge returned at SummerSlam with fire and goth stuff. It just feels a bit lame and played-out, and Edge doesn't need the parlour tricks of a spooky gimmick to be a big deal.
Hopefully, he veers more towards what made him so beloved, instead of continuing down the dark rabbit hole of being a brooding elder statesman.