5 Supernatural Characters That Got Over In WWE (And 5 That SUCKED!)

It can often be a little jarring to watch a wrestling show and see a supernatural gimmick pop up.

Although the "secret" of wrestling being pre-determined is universal knowledge now, it can still be really easy to fall for the believability of the athletics on display. But of course, all that goes out the window when someone walks in using magical powers to win their matches.

While the idea of a supernatural character sounds ridiculous on paper, it has led to some great moments throughout wrestling, as the focus on more outlandish stories can be a breath of fresh air creatively. Sadly, there is also a downside to this, as an overreliance on spooky gimmickry can lead to fans feeling frustrated that they can't just watch a regular match.

There's a fine line between failure and success here, and WWE has seen plenty of examples on both sides of the spectrum. The company is infamous for its lack of subtlety, so it's miraculous when they pull these kinds of gimmicks off but ridiculous when they fail.

The following wrestlers prove just how hit or miss the supernatural can be...

Vampires are awesome. The blood-sucking creatures have been a staple of horror for decades now, with good reason. Their gothic appeal, terrifying power and well-established lore mean that everyone is familiar with the beasts and rightfully terrified of them. Seeing one decide to move from biting necks to wrestling seems absurd, but it worked very well with Gangrel.

David William Heath - the man behind the gimmick - had been wrestling for some time before debuting the character in 1998 but hadn't managed to latch onto anything. In his return to the WWF, he was given the Gangrel name and encouraged to go all out with the vampire gimmick. This included rising from the entrance ramp surrounded by fire, carrying a goblet full of blood and spitting said blood out at the audience.

It could have been ridiculous, but the commitment from Heath and his Brood (Edge and Christian) made the gimmick work. They looked terrifying as flames surrounded them, and to this day, it's still one of the best special entrances a performer has ever seen.

Sadly, the gimmick didn't bring many accolades to Gangrel and was only a stepping stone for the team of Edge and Christian. Still, it's often remarked as one of the coolest supernatural gimmicks ever created, so its legacy will last.