WWE: 10 Most Unoriginal Aspects Of The Fiend

Defined by Oxford Languages as “a series of deliberate actions or responses planned for psychological effect on another, typically for amusement or competitive advantage,” mind games and wrestling feuds were an easy marriage. Mind games became so tightly associated with pro wrestling WWE even named In Your House 10 after them.

Some wrestlers, much like Bray Wyatt today, took the concept much further and into darker depths. Menacing performers such as The Undertaker became synonymous with mind games. They exceeded the normal boundaries of competitive one-upmanship by seizing control of arena lights, summoning druids, and beckoning paranormal forces.

‘The Deadman’ wasn’t alone. Kane often borrowed tactics from his half-brother. Away from the ‘Devils Favorite Demons,’ Triple H was often associated with cerebral attacks on his opponents’ psyches. Even Mr McMahon (“It was me, Austin! It was me all along!”) employed them on a regular basis.

Although heavily produced mind games were exhausted over the last few decades, Wyatt still managed to make the most of the trope thus far.

‘Firefly Funhouse’ Bray Wyatt preferred more whimsical brain teasers when competing with the likes of The Miz or John Cena, whereas ‘The Fiend’ added horrific spins to his mindflubs by sneaking up on his victims and sending them into a state of mental and physical torture.

Hopefully, his character will continue taking the concept of ominous mind games and turning them on their sides and stray away from acts recycled from that of monsters before him.