15 EXACT Moments Failed WWE Attitude Era Gimmicks Actually Got Over
11. The Godfather (July 27, 1998)
Charles Wright was not over. Ever. In three distinct eras.
In the dying embers of the Golden Era, as Papa Shango, he was so lost in the ring that he could not even locate it to interfere at WrestleMania 8, leading to an all-timer of a botched finish in the Sid Justice Vs. Hulk Hogan main event. He was Kama the Supreme Fighting Machine in the New Generation era, but he sure as sh*t wasn't a wrestling machine. In the Attitude Era, before the WWF realised what to do - or rather not to do with him - he was a crap member of the Nation of Domination.
The "Godfather of the Nation" was a nickname to begin with before Charles Wright underwent a full-on repackage in the summer of 1998. It was on July 27, 1998 that the Godfather was first accompanied to the ring by sex workers on Raw, during which he received his first pop by proxy (he soon earned them by himself with genuinely good crowd work). The Godfather would barely wrestle; instead, he'd offer the services of his staff to his opponents. This was, on many levels, a winner of a gimmick.
Firstly, the Godfather won several matches by forfeit. This was clearly a successful tactic; by 1999, the Godfather, a lumbering and frankly talentless oaf, had procured the Intercontinental title once fought over by master technicians.
Secondly, his opponents got to blow their beans, so they didn't mind missing a trip to the pay window.
Thirdly, the fans did not have to endure a terrible Godfather match.
That's harsh - and the Godfather was an awesome talker whose booming voice was perfect for his catchphrase call-and-response - but not untrue.