10 Gimmicks That WWE Milked Dry

Horror elements often find their way into pro-wrestling, although it might seem they should be kept apart to help suspend disbelief. In American wrestling, The Undertaker was one of the first truly macabre characters fans saw take center stage. In the early 1990s, the ominous character broke boundaries, introducing audiences to a different flavor of sports entertainment.

'The Deadman's' persona didn't clash with the times in terms of WWE's over-the-top (and often cartoonish) presentation, although it was a darker spin than what some were used to. The character was also preserved by the later 90s, which called for edgier and more dramatic content.

Alas, whenever WWE strikes gold with an idea, it's bound to do it again and again. The company tried to replicate the success of a paranormal character with numerous reincarnations. The more exposed the gimmick became, the more fans were turned off by it. It didn't help matters that, in addition to wanting more realistic performances, WWE didn't always treat its monsters with the same gravitas as 'The Phenom.'

When Bray Wyatt returned with his 'Fiend' gimmick, many watched with one brow furrowed, as it required more effort to get the paranormal over in WWE. Likewise, anytime there has been a misstep with 'The Fiend,' fans quickly suggested the character was ruined. The idea of adding a spooky superstar to the roster isn't a terrible one, but it's perhaps one that should be shelved for a while once Wyatt is done with it.