10 Old School Wresting Gimmicks That Need To Return

3. Evil Billionaire

WCW Tiger
WWE

Some would say the world's already being run by one, and World Wrestling Entertainment definitely is, so why on earth is that not being transplanted on screen? And are those two things connected?

As Reaganomics raged throughout the money-obsessed 1980s, Vince McMahon presented Ted Dibiase as a cartoonish manifestation of those he saw living lives similar to the 'Million Dollar Man' in all bar the shiny suits. Over a decade later, he patterned JBL on the type of myopic wealth destined to thrive under George W. Bush's confused and conflict-laden administration. If he were to do the same again in 2020, it would be an even sharper reflection now than it was back then - and might that be why he hasn't?

Instead, the overtly heelish Retribution felt like his wretched take on Antifa, and some vital months spent operating out of Orlando earlier this year were acquired thanks to governmental support. A Dibiase or Layfield - or, for that matter, Mr McMahon - archetype hasn't felt as potent as it does right now. Perhaps the events of November 2020 will determine if the gimmick makes a comeback or we face a minimum of another four year wait.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett