10 Crazy Wrestling Gimmicks That Should Have Never Worked (But Did)

7. Hornswoggle

Little people are nothing new to WWE. But while they've been around for years, you don't tend to find one that has actually been around for years. Perhaps it's the gimmick that sets him apart, as he's not simply a little person, but a leprechaun who lives under the ring in a world of other people sharing his smaller stature. Originally named "Little Bastard," he would later take on his "real" name of Hornswoggle as he continued his antics over the years. As of this writing, Hornswoggle is less than two years away from celebrating a full decade of service to World Wrestling Entertainment, showing that his otherwise absurd gimmick *ahem* has legs. What's more, he wasn't even able to speak (in character, mind) until late 2011, when he gained the ability from Santa Claus after defeating fellow Irishman Sheamus in a battle royal to get his wish. Prior to that change in the status quo, however, Hornswoggle managed to win the Cruiserweight Title, and was the last to hold it before it was unceremoniously retired by Vickie Guerrero, as he was pretending to be Vince McMahon's illegitimate son at the time and she didn't want him to get hurt defending it. He would also go on to become the official mascot of D-Generation X (even appearing on their merchandise) and the Anonymous Raw General Manager. Most recently, art would imitate life (well, sort of) when he starred in Leprechaun: Origins, WWE Studios' reboot of the film franchise. In a place where the biggest men are said to have the greatest advantage, Hornswoggle has unquestionably managed to succeed beyond what many of his larger contemporaries have accomplished.