10 WWE Gimmicks Saved By The People Playing Them

5. Kane

After suffering through spells as evil dentist Isaac Yankem and the 'fake' Diesel, Glenn Jacobs could be forgiven for believing that the next role whipped up for him would be a similar failure. Recast as The Undertaker's brother Kane in 1997, Jacobs probably should have been a short-lived, one-note gimmick designed to act as 'Taker's fall guy for WrestleMania XIV.

Almost 20 years after that event, and a full 20 after his debut, Kane is being booked strongly on Raw opposite the likes of Braun Strowman. That speaks volumes about Glenn's ability to play the character and his striking early performances as the chilling psychopath who had returned for his sibling's blood. If you weren't scared of Kane in 1997, you were a liar.

Behind a cold, expressionless mask, Kane was an instant hit. Piggy-backing the success of one character, especially one as established as Undertaker, with another was a monumental risk. In different hands, maybe Kane wouldn't be the surefire WWE Hall Of Famer he is today.