10 WWE Gimmick Reboots That Saved The Wrestler's Career

3. Billy Gunn/Rockabilly And The Roadie/The Real Double J To The New Age Outlaws

Brian James and Kip Sopp started out in the WWF as The Roadie and Billy Gunn of the Smoking Gunns respectively. In 1996/97, they transitioned to The Real Double J Jesse James and Rockabilly. Both gimmicks were going nowhere, and WWF creative knew it, so in late 1997, they blew up the two gimmicks on camera, and Gunn and James formed The New Age Outlaws tag team. With Road Dogg's charisma and Gunn's athletic ability, the team was wildly successful, and an integral part of the Attitude Era. As members of the second incarnation fo D-Generation X, they had two of the biggest segments of the Attitude Era on Monday Night Raw: when they mocked the Nation of Domination and when they invaded WCW. That team has absolutely saved both men's careers. Both became Intercontinental Champion and Hardcore Champion, as well as numerous tag team championship reigns, including one in 2014, 14 years after their previous reign. Both also got backstage roles with the company (although Gunn was fired last year). Eventually, they will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.