7 Crazy WWE Attitude Gimmicks That Almost Happened

2. Papa Shango 2.0

Papa Shango 1998
WWE

Shaman-style witch doctor Papa Shango sent shivers up the spines of young kids everywhere in the early-90s when he briefly terrorised the roster. The WWF then put the willies up Charles Wright by making a mess of his gimmick and forcing a repackage job into 'Supreme Fighting Machine' Kama a few years later.

Wright was supposed to be handed another chance under the face paints in 1998.

On the latest Table For 3 episode, he told how he posed for make-up and wardrobe test shots in 1997. The plan was to re-introduce Shango to television in 1998, only as a darker, more sinister version that'd be in-tune with the grittier Attitude era. After all the planning and photoshoots, Vince McMahon decided that he'd be best off in the Nation Of Domination instead.

All arrangements to re-debut the witch doctor persona were shelved and later cancelled outright because Vince didn't think it'd fit in with the current product. Imagine how awesome a scary, souped-up Shango could've been in an era so determined to push the envelope.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.