10 Famous Wrestling Gimmicks That Were Actually Inherited
2. The Patriot
Originally making a name for himself in the AWA, All Japan, and WCW, Del Wilkes eventually made his way to WWF in 1997. At the height of his success, Wilkes achieved international fame as the flag-waving American opposition for Bret Hart’s pro-Canadian Hart Foundation.
Wilkes was let go from the WWF in early ‘98 following a triceps injury and forced to retire soon after; however, that didn’t spell the end for The Patriot character. Despite Wilkes hanging up his boots, The Patriot began popping up on the independent circuit. It soon came to light that the revived Patriot persona was in fact being played by Tom Brandi, best known for his time as Salvatore Sincere in the WWF from 1996 to 1998.
Unlike the other entries in this list, Brandi didn’t inherit the gimmick but simply took it instead. Debunking the long-standing rumour that he had sold the gimmick to Brandi, Wilkes has gone on record as saying that he “in no way shape or form did that” and that Brandi had appeared as The Patriot without consent. Remarkably, Brandi still plays the role of The Patriot at indie shows across the US to this day.