8 Amazing Wrestling Gimmicks That Died Too Soon

Wade Barrett has become a cornerstone of WWE as part of its announce team. As a wrestler, he felt terminally involved in the company's mid-card, with his Barrett Barrage having him treading water in meaningless feuds. This all changed when his new catchphrase and Bad News Barrett gimmick arrived, suggesting that he had many more strings to his bow.

Carrying a gavel and eventually getting his own podium that would rise from the stage, Barrett would arrive to announce "I'm afraid I've got some bad news". It was a catchy one-liner, used to further his own feuds, make announcements on behalf of whoever that week's authority figure was, or goad live audiences about the shortcomings of their local sports teams. It worked and it raised Barretts' profile to a place that was much more befitting of his talents.

For a gimmick that is so well remembered, Wade's run as Bad News actually lasted less than 18 months in total, before he won King of the Ring 2015 (thus becoming King Barrett) and had another middling run as part of the League Of Nations stable. It's a shame because Bad News Barrett had a great blend of silliness and savagery, that should have seen him create many more memorable moments as part of the main roster.