10 Precise Moments WWE's Best Ever Gimmicks Stopped Working

3. Mankind

Mick Foley's breakthrough guise stands out on this list because the end seemed to be the wrestler's own choice.

On the 13 January 2000 episode of SmackDown, Mick's Mankind interrupted Royal Rumble opponent Triple H's promo with a special announcement. Trips wouldn't be facing the masked guy with the white shirt and tie inside MSG. No, he'd be meeting the craziest and most dangerous of all Foley's 'three faces': Cactus Jack.

That, amazingly, was one of the last times fans saw Mankind on WWE television. After he ripped off the mask and shirt to reveal that 'Wanted Dead' t-shirt and an angry face, Mick only looked back for a token appearance or two (like his oft-forgotten match with Carlito at Taboo Tuesday 2005). Aside from that, he exclusively showed up as himself or Cactus.

Mankind was pretty much a goner. Maybe Foley thought the gimmick had run its course. He did fancy retiring for good in 2000, so that adds up, and it surely would've been more prevalent on nostalgia shows if Mick was still digging the mask.