10 Worst WWE Gimmicks Of 2018

7. Sonya Deville: MMA Fighter

Nikki Cross Drake Maverick
WWE

Sonya Deville is packed with potential. An improving in-ring performer at 25-years-old, she has quietly become one of SmackDown's most promising acts over the past year, and her union with Mandy Rose offers plenty of storytelling possibilities. With any luck, she'll have a long, prosperous WWE career, tasting gold several times along the way, all while becoming an even bigger ambassador for the LGBTQ community she proudly represents every time she steps between the ropes.

... but the MMA gimmick has to go.

Why?

Because Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler exist.

Deville is a former mixed martial artist herself, notching a 2-1 professional record before switching to wrestling. That her character was built on this made sense back in the day, before WWE was invaded by Horsewomen, but now, Sonya's gimmick is left wanting. She literally shares a fictional universe with the most decorated women's mixed martial artist of all time. This means that regardless of her own experience in the sport, Deville is going to look weak by comparison, so WWE should probably think about repackaging her as something equally as badass in 2019.

This Raven garb does kind of suit her...

 
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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.