10 Worst WWE Gimmicks Of 2018

2. Bobby Lashley: Smiling Dork

Nikki Cross Drake Maverick
WWE.com

For Vince McMahon, nothing should have been easier than booking a successful Bobby Lashley comeback in 2018, yet the WWE Chairman still contrived to make an almighty tit of the big man's re-emergence.

Lashley's time away from WWE saw him finally become the performer McMahon wanted him to be all those years ago. He returned from Impact Wrestling with improved microphone work, a greater understanding of how to wrestle as a hyper-athletic monster, and added real-world credibility following his stint as a mixed martial artist. On top of this, he still looked great at 41 years old. This should've been a walk in the park. A piece of piss. Alas, it was a disaster.

Rather than portraying Bobby as a big, bold, badass brute, WWE transformed him into one of their trademark smiling babyfaces. He was a spineless goober who responded to foes' belittlement not by fighting back, but by laughing harmlessly, grinning, and trying to be funny. The Sami Zayn (and specifically that sisters segment) presented Lashley at his absolute worst, and it was to our eternal gratitude that he finally turned heel soon after aligning with Lio Rush.

 
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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.