10 Precise Moments WWE's Best Ever Gimmicks Stopped Working

5. Kane

From one supernatural demon's woes to another's.

Kane was an imposing blast of 'Taker-opposing muscle when he debuted in late-1997. The original tale was fanciful, sure, but it was at least easy to follow. Kane had returned to avenge his parents and destroy his own brother. It was real Cain and Abel stuff.

Rather than sticking to this simple origin story, WWE f*cked around with Kane's history until it was almost unrecognisable. Worse, they humanised the monster, had him ignore damaged vocal cords to cut promos (initially with a voice box) and gave him an on screen girlfriend. Tori couldn't resist agonising personal turmoil or singed flesh, apparently.

The character's presentation was too convoluted by 1999. Moments like Kane bagging Tori and forcing out a quick "Suck It" for DX fans everywhere completely shattered his early threat. Yes, gimmicks evolve, but this was too much, especially when WWE went back and re-arranged some of the pieces again later on.