10 Gimmicks So Bad They Didn't Even Make It To WWE TV

2. Batista: Massively Depressing Origin Story

HBK Biker
WWE

Batista did well to avoid the dog sh*t gimmick wringer that appears to have been consigned to the trash heap of pro wrestling.

With more places in which to work, and many workers unable for copyright reasons to take their old acts with them, many would arrive at an Ed Leslie-style career of journeymen wearing several costumes to banish the stigma of the last. It doesn't happen anymore - mercifully, the WWE star simply doesn't change at all! - but Batista was on course for an horrific spell, having debuted as a sea monster and started main roster life as a religious official.

And, before he became the 'Animal', he was meant to be - f*ck off - a product of rape.

He was always angry, and he revealed the reason for that anger on Talk Is Jericho back in 2014: the horrific way in which he entered the world created inside him a hatred of it. He was a misanthrope, and he was to take it out on the Superstars of WWE, after first appearing on The Peep Show or some sh*t.

This was mercifully abandoned.

The 'Ruthless Aggression Era' was utter sh*te and your precious childhood memories are bad.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!