10 Famous Wrestling Gimmicks That Ripped Off Real People

4. Adam Rose (Russell Brand)

In their developmental system, WWE have always liked to have performers playing as many different roles as possible. It's been said that Vince McMahon likes the thought of his employees being well-rounded entertainers, so it's perhaps no surprise that wrestlers are asked to try out different gimmicks. In the case of Raymond Leppan, that's definitely true. On NXT, Leppan has played himself, at tribute to a former President Of South Africa, Paul Kruger, and the character of Adam Rose. As 'Leo Kruger', the guy did win the FCW Heavyweight Title in 2011, but there was no indication he'd be moved to the main roster. It wasn't until he started playing the flamboyant, curiously outspoken Adam Rose that he started to gain traction. For the role, Leppan has admitted he studied the work of Russell Brand. The comparisons are obvious, right down to the cool, yet somehow passively aggressive, tone Rose used during his NXT promos. Style is another obvious similarity. Rose previously used the same overt, borderline camp, dress sense as the comedian. In recent months, this is something the character has moved away from.