20 Wrestling Gimmicks That Got WEIRD Rip-Offs

Announcers like Tony Schiavone welcomed fans to WCW's new year on the 3 January 2000 Nitro. Big things were promised, and all the usual pyro and fanfare seemed to suggest things could get back on track for an ailing company. Then, Brad Armstrong walked through the curtain dressed as a cheap rip off of his own brother's Road Dogg gimmick over in the WWF and all hope was lost.

Buzzkill was Road Dogg-lite. Also, encouraging viewers tuning into that first episode of the new year to think about what's happening over on Raw with over acts like the New Age Outlaws is sure something. No wonder WCW went down the pan with warped thinking like this. At times, it was like they were actively trying to come across as second rate.

Starting the first Nitro of 2000 off with something massive would've been the way to go. Set the tone. Sadly, the only tone WCW set here was reminding fans that the WWF's product had their own flagship licked. Armstrong, who was a solid hand in-ring and a veteran of the biz, should've known better than to play a totally uncool carny copy of his sibling's character too.

That was daft.

Buzzkill appeared to be an inside joke designed to poke fun at Road Dogg. It was lighthearted, but lighthearted isn't always an excuse. Meanwhile, Raw kicked off with The Rock coming out to a big pop for a promo opposite Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The difference in directness between both companies at the time was incredible.