10 Wrestlers Who Insulted Their Opponents With Their Attires
7. The New World Order
Cruelty and wrestling have regrettably always gone hand in hand, and whilst the New World Order's 1997 Four Horsemen imitation skit may look like harmless heel patter through a nostalgic lens, it can't be understated how low the blow felt to the targeted babyfaces and WCW's fanbase at large.
Arn Anderson's retirement reflected the end of an era for a generation of his supporters. The 'Enforcer's enforced farewell triggered genuine tears from his best friend Ric Flair, with his Horsemen "spot" as worthy as a world title for all the prestige it held after years of loyal service, sh*tkickings and sh*t-hot storylines.
When Kevin Nash, Syxx, Buff Bagwell and Konnan donned the pantomime props to portray the fallen stars, it resonated far more as a step too far than a step to build to a pay-per-view. Sean Waltman's tears and giant Flair nose were a f*cking hoot, and heel Nash's disdain for Arn's tragic end felt in keeping with storyline motivations, but the stylistic decision to wear an enormous gut and pensioner's wig brought inconvenient truths into focus about his advancing years long before WCW had started to look like an old-timers club.
Imitation is supposed to be sincerest form of flattery, though here it served to flatten the intended victims. It did, ironically enough, inspire another parody though...