Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but not when it comes to wrestling. Never has a gimmick where a wrestler is inspired by or directly pretends to be another popular performer ever gotten over. TNA is trying it now with Eric Young doing everything but chanting "YES!" in their attempt at recreating Daniel Bryan. The Renegade may be the most egregious offender of all. Taking the man who was known as Rio, Lord of the Jungle and turning him into an unapologetic Ultimate Warrior rip-off doomed Richard Wilson. When Hulk Hogan began hyping the debut of his "ultimate surprise", the rumor mill was churning with news that Warrior was coming to WCW. We didn't get Warrior, we got a jobber dressed exactly like him, but without the body, the charisma, or the personality. The fans revolted and Wilson would never have any real success, through no fault of his own.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
