10 Worst WWE Gimmick Ideas You Won't Believe Almost Happened

7. Deaf, Mute Edge

bob holly spaceman
WWE.com

When Edge said "goodbye" to professional wrestling in April 2011, he left the business as one of its most decorated performers. The 11 World Titles, 14 Tag Team Championship reigns, and a host of other honours to his name, he drew a line under a resume that most performers can only dream of matching, and took his rightful place in the WWE Hall Of Fame the following year.

Originally debuting as a misfit loner prior to hooking up with Christian and Gangrel in The Brood, there were huge doubts over Edge's potential early on. Vince Russo seemingly didn't believe in him as a performer, suggesting that Edge was an uncharismatic wrestler who couldn't talk, and would therefore require an outlandish character to mask his weaknesses.

The idea of Edge lacking charisma sounds ridiculous today, and Russo wanted to hide this non-issue by having him debut as a deaf mute. Given the era's crassness and WWE's track record when it comes to booking characters with similar disabilities, we should all be thankful that they opted to go for "pseudo vampire" instead.

Had it gone through, we'd likely remember Edge as another Mantaur or Max Moon, and not 'The Rated R Superstar.'

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.