10 Worst WWE Gimmick Ideas You Won't Believe Almost Happened
5. George W. Daivari
Daivari debuted for WWE in August 2004, and originally served as Muhammed Hassan's manager. He'd eventually outlast his controversial client by several years, working with Kurt Angle and The Great Khali before entering the Cruiserweight division in 2007, and leaving the company that October. Not the most notable run, but not a complete failure, either.
WWE initially struggled to find a role for Daivari in the wake of Hassan's removal from television. Distancing him from Muhammed was an absolute must, particularly with TV network executives breathing down the company's neck - but instead of suggesting subtle changes, WWE's first pitch took a sharp u-turn.
According to Daivari, Stephanie McMahon came to him with the idea of playing a super patriot named 'George W. Bush.' No slight allusions to the United States' 43rd President - they legitimately planned on using his actual name.
He'd supposedly debut on the SmackDown after the Great American Bash, playing an over-the-top, "America, eff yeah!" type gimmick. An odd choice for a man previously billed from Tehran, Iran, but Daivari rejected the idea because he felt it had no longevity. Stephanie agreed, and Daivari eventually returned to television under his real name four months later.