10 Failed WWE Wrestlers Who Became Cult Classics
4. Doink
The original re-appraised gimmick from the organisation's commercial nadir, Doink was an Attitude Era punching bag that became a hardcore fan fantasy gimmick when many of those that weren't there for its original run actually went back and saw the best bits.
Intentionally misrepresented as a crystal clear vision of WWE at its most cartoonish, the nuance of a heel clown wasn't focussed upon during video packages of him f*cking around with Dink. As a babyface, he was yet another character tailored to the comedic tastes of one, but as a force for evil, he was utterly anarchic.
A violent assault on Crush at the start of 1993 provided the physical intervention required to explain why the gimmick was no laughing matter. Playing the role with vile snark and sinister intent, Matt Bourne's ability to snap between wide-eyed and wicked-hearted was mesmeric - things were tense and unnerving from the second he bounded into shot.
He had much left to offer in the role if not to WWE. Bourne was let go later in the year due to drug and alcohol issues he couldn't conquer right as the gimmick was rebadged into that of a literal clown. He was a miss between the ropes, but he was too good for that sh*t.