10 Gimmicks WWE Cancelled For Being TOO SUCCESSFUL

3. Rusev Day

Rusev Day Vince McMahon
WWE

Randy Orton must've rattled something loose in Rusev's brain when he smashed the Bulgarian in just 10 seconds at SummerSlam 2017. Shortly after that pay-per-view, Ru-Ru began declaring that "... every day is Rusev Day". Fans didn't take much notice at first, because he was a heel, but then it took off.

"Rusev Day" was one of the loudest chants in wrestling by the end of the year.

This seemed to be a throwaway idea that WWE figured would die out quickly. They were wrong - "Rusev Day" even caused Aiden English to get over as his pal's hype man, and it legit should've led to babyface tag-team success for the duo. Sadly, none of this was supposed to get so much attention (or turn Ru baby).

A messy breakup angle, which also included English attempting to woo Lana, brought "Rusev Day" to an end. WWE's follow up? Plonking Rusev in yet another tag-team with Shinsuke Nakamura. Yeah, because that was better than engaging crowds.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.