10 WWE Gimmicks That Worked For One Wrestler (But Not Another)
6. White-Boy Rapper
Worked for: John Cena
Didn't work for: Slam Master J
Who would have thought that a passing comedy bit where John Cena dressed as Vanilla Ice for Halloween would end up kick-starting the main-event career of one of the greatest sports entertainers of all time?
As a rapping heel, “The Doctor of Thuganomics” was wholly entertaining. Every time he'd come down to the aisle, he would deliver a freestyle diss-track targeted at both his opponent and the city they were performing in. What was truly amazing about Cena's portrayal of the role was that he was able to transition into a babyface over time with minimal to no changes to his character.
Unfortunately, the act only works for individuals with charisma. It did nothing for Ray Gordy, son of Fabulous Freebird Terry Gordy and formerly "Jesse" of "Jesse & Festus" fame.
That's right - Jesse had a rapping gimmick. Don't you remember Slam Master J? No? Well it's fine if you don't, because he only appeared as Slam Master J on TV a handful of times before he was phased out for several months and eventually released from his contract shortly following WrestleMania XXVI.