10 WWE Gimmicks That Started Elsewhere

7. Ryback

10 WWE Gimmicks That Started Elsewhere
WWE.com

Ryback was getting "Goldberg" chants long before he appeared to try and will a programme with 'Da Man' into existence by cosplaying as him.

It wasn't just the bald head and beard (though, was it it about those traits and becoming a big deal in pro wrestling?) that earned the former Nexus man the legendary chants when he was repackaged as a wrecking machine in 2012.

In time, 'Feed Me More' replaced the calls for the former WCW World Champion during his electric squashes, but after the end of an undefeated streak axed his chances of an extended topline run, he steered into the comparison by donning the basic-but-iconic black trunks/boots look.

The dream match never happened, and in light of Goldberg's incredible 2016 run perhaps it was for the best. Ryback was over enough to get himself back to a certain high point one last time in 2014, but the immense energy coming off Big Bill's Survivor Series squash win over Brock Lesnar highlighted the vast difference between the levels heat the two were realistically capable of generating.

 
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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett