10 Successful Gimmicks You Forgot WWE Tried Again

Thankfully, Damien Sandow didn't recite any of Lanny Poffo's poetry.

Instead, Sandow declared himself an "intellectual saviour of the (unwashed) masses". He was a scholar, a gentleman, and he was here to enlighten everyone whilst wearing what looked like a bath robe he'd nicked from a rather fancy hotel. Damien did borrow some other things from Poffo though. He had the same punchable smirk The Genius sported, and he was often forced to use brainpower when outgunned by opponents inside the ring.

Very much unlike The Genius, who was mainly a manager during his time in the WWF and only wrestled in featured bouts sporadically, Sandow almost cracked the main event scene permanently. He won Money In The Bank back in 2013, and critics agreed it was only a matter of time before Damo traded his swish leather bound briefcase for one of WWE's World Titles.

Or not. His push was abruptly cancelled, and he slid right back down the ladder. Not even knocking it out of the park as The Miz's stunt double could save the poor lad in the end. WWE soured on Sandow for...whatever reason, and nothing was going to change their minds on that. He was yesterday's man. End of story.

It shouldn't have been the end of his story. Sandow updated Poffo's Genius character for the modern era and proved to be an accomplished worker between the ropes. Nothing should've stood in his way of the top line picture. Nothing. Tragically, "nothing" was replaced by Vince McMahon and his army of knackered writers, and they had final say.

That "intellectual saviour" gimmick still has potential.