Top 5 Ripoff Gimmicks In Wrestling History
Some gimmicks in wrestling have been iconic to the point of being instantly recognizable, such as Ted DiBiase as The Million Dollar Man, Curt Hennig as Mr. Perfect, and Steve Borden as Sting.
But then there are some gimmicks so obvious that they just make you roll your eyes. So with that said, here are the five biggest ripoff gimmicks in wrestling history.
5. Glacier 
Looking to create new characters, with WCW Monday Nitro becoming hot, Eric Bischoff decided to capitalize on the popularity that was Mortal Kombat in the mid-90’s by presenting a Sub-Zero rip-off named Glacier. Ray Lloyd, who played Glacier, had a legitimate martial arts background, and lots of money was put into his entrance, as well as his vignettes, with the tagline “Blood Runs Cold”. Glacier went on to have moderate success, with his most notable feud being with Mortis, the late Chris Kanyon. For the longest time, there was an internet rumor that Rob Van Dam was considered, for the role of Glacier, but Bischoff has since denied this on his 83 Weeks podcast.
4. “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel
During the 80’s, Buddy Landel was widely regarded as one of the better in-ring workers in all of wrestling. Perhaps his best stretch came working for Jim Cornette in Smoky Mountain Wrestling in the mid-90’s. However, Landel had off and on personal demons that he dealt with during his wrestling career. It also didn’t help matters that he portrayed himself as a Ric Flair knockoff, with his Nature Boy persona. Landel passed away in 2015 at the age of 53.
3. The Renegade
WCW presented their first ever Uncensored pay-per view in 1995. The main event would feature Hulk Hogan against Vader in a strap match. With Ric Flair in Vader’s corner, Hogan had teased his “ultimate surprise” that would be on his side. The cryptic message led many fans to believe that Hogan’s mystery surprise was going to be The Ultimate Warrior. WCW had been in negotiations with Jim Hellwig (Warrior), but Hellwig reportedly asked for $2.5 million - a number that WCW would balk at. Plan B would become The Renegade, who was portrayed by Richard Wilson. Before signing with WCW, Wilson had wrestled on the independents in a Tarzan gimmick named Rio, Lord of the Jungle. When Wilson debuted at the Uncensored event as The Renegade, it was blatantly obvious that he was viewed as an Ultimate Warrior ripoff. Wilson’s biggest moment was winning the World Television title against Arn Anderson at the 1995 Great American Bash. However, he was used mainly as a jobber in subsequent years. Going through a deep depression, Wilson would sadly take his own life in 1999.
2. Gillberg
Long-time wrestling jobber Duane Gill is actually known for having two ripoff gimmicks. The first was as a tag team with Barry Hardy as The Toxic Turtles (you can guess who that was copied from), while the other was Gillberg, which of course was a Goldberg parody. During his run as Gillberg in 1998, Gill was the WWF Light Heavyweight champion. Unlike Goldberg, who had the very impressive pyro and smoke entrance, Gillberg’s entrance involved sparklers and fire extinguishers used by arena staffers. The gimmick was entertaining, for what it was in the Attitude Era.
1. The Honky Tonk Man
Prior to joining the WWF, Wayne Farris wrestled for Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling in Calgary as The Honky Tonk Man. The gimmick was clearly an Elvis Presley knockoff. In the WWF, Honky became arguably the most charismatic heel of the 80’s, with his biggest claim being the greatest Intercontinental champion in history. He would continue to use the gimmick in 1994, with WCW. Legendary manager Jimmy Hart would induct Honky into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.
Top 5 Most Underrated WWF Matches of the 90’s
Undertaker vs Mankind - Hell in a Cell. Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels- Iron Man Match. Bret’s encounter with Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13 - Those are just a few matches that many regard as the best that the World Wrestling Federation offered in the 90’s.
For as memorable as those matches were, there are others that don’t seem to get the notoriety they truly deserve. Here now are the five most underrated 90’s WWF matches.
5. Bret Hart vs Diesel - Survivor Series 1995:
By 1995, Diesel, aka, Kevin Nash, was a premiere player of the WWF’s New Generation Era. At that time, Diesel had been the longest-reigning, WWF champion - albeit in a down time for the company. Bret Hart was the challenger to Diesel’s title at the 1995 Survivor Series. Most regard the match as Diesel’s best ever. The one notable spot was Diesel sending Bret through the announce table, which had been the first time it was done in the WWF. The finish of the match saw Bret tie up Diesel’s legs into a small package for the victory. It was Bret’s third reign as WWF champion. After the match, a frustrated Diesel delivered two Jackknife Powerbombs to Bret - turning heel in the process.
4. Shawn Michaels vs Mankind - In Your House: Mind Games (1996):
Shawn Michaels defended his WWF title against Mankind at In Your House: Mind Games, in September of 1996. The match exceeded all expectations, with the two men brawling inside and outside the ring. However, interference played a role, as Sycho Sid, Vader, and The Undertaker caused a disqualification. Prior to the DQ, HBK and Mankind had put on a five-star classic. The ending prevented it from being higher on the list.
3. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart - Summerslam 1994:
The sibling rivalry between Bret Hart and Owen Hart began its chapter at Wrestlemania 10, with the two brothers putting together an all-time classic, in which many consider to be the best opening match in Wrestlemania history. Owen would pull off the upset against his older brother. In Summerslam of that year, Bret and Owen had their return match, this time with Bret as the WWF champion - inside of a steel cage. The match lasted just over a half hour, with Bret escaping the cage to retain his title.
2. Randy Savage vs Ric Flair - Wrestlemania 8:
Perhaps the biggest shock in regards to Ric Flair’s career was making the move to the WWF, in September of 1991. Maybe less shocking was Flair becoming the champion in short order at the 1992 Royal Rumble. Flair entered Wrestlemania 8 - looking to defend the belt versus The Macho Man Randy Savage. The rivalry was centered around Miss Elizabeth, who Flair had his eyes for. In real life, Savage and Elizabeth were going through their divorce. The pairing of Savage and Flair gelled, and became intense at times. To no surprise, Flair bladed to add the element of blood, which slathered all into his blonde hair. Flair held Savage’s leg as to attempt the Figure Four Leglock, but Savage reversed it into a schoolboy roll up for the pin, and the championship. The aftermath saw Flair trying to flaunt with Elizabeth - only to be slapped by her.
1. Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect - Summerslam 1991:
In my opinion, the most underrated 90’s WWF match consisted of two, second generation wrestlers, in Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig. At Summerslam 1991, Hennig had his Intercontinental championship on the line against The Hitman. Bret was known as a tag team specialist in the 80’s, when he teamed up with Jim Neidhart as The Hart Foundation, but his Summerslam classic with Hennig really put him on the map as a singles performer. Bret would make Hennig submit to The Sharpshooter to become the new Intercontinental champion. The victory would mark Bret’s very first singles title in the WWF.
Top 5 Most Memorable Moments On WCW Monday Nitro
When it comes to wrestling in the 90’s, perhaps the biggest thing people remember most is the Monday Night Wars between the WWF and WCW.
While WWF would ultimately win the war, there was a period where WCW was thumping The Fed in the ratings - 83 consecutive weeks, in fact. WCW had some great moments, so here are the five most memorable.
5. Chris Jericho’s 1,004 holds promo: 
During his WCW run, Chris Jericho played a prominent role in the Cruiserweight Division. His most notable feud was with Dean Malenko. On the March 30th, 1998 episode of Nitro, Jericho defeated Marty Jannetty, which was then followed up by a promo by Jericho. The promo mocked Malenko being “The Man of 1,000 Holds”, with Jericho presenting a list of his 1,004 holds. Jericho proceeded to name the moves, and would even include arm bar more than once. The segment was certainly one of the most entertaining in WCW history.
4. Lex Luger returns to WCW: 
After a lackluster run as “The Lex Express” in WWF, Lex Luger was looking to return to WCW. Eric Bischoff, however, wasn’t a fan of Luger both professionally and personally, but made an offer to Luger out of respect to Sting, who was real life best friends with Luger. WWF was under the impression that Luger would re-sign with them, but he chose WCW’s offer instead. On the debut episode of Monday Nitro, September 4th, 1995, Luger appeared in front of the crowd to the shock of the broadcast booth. Later that night, Luger would confront Hulk Hogan to challenge him for the WCW World Heavyweight title, as Nitro went off the air.
3. Arn Anderson’s in-ring retirement: 
Member of The Four Horsemen - One of the most underrated professional wrestlers of all-time - And a great mind for the business - All these things perfectly sum up Arn Anderson. During the first couple of years of Nitro, Arn was wrestling less and less, with the main issue being neck problems. On August 25th, 1997, Arn announced his retirement from the ring, in perhaps the most emotional moment in Nitro history. Since then, he’s worked behind the scenes for both WWE and AEW.
2. Goldberg captures the WCW World Heavyweight title: 
Say what you want about Bill Goldberg as a wrestler, but there’s no denying that he was best homegrown talent that WCW ever produced. On the September 22nd, 1997 episode of Nitro, Goldberg made his debut by defeating Hugh Morrus, which would subsequently be followed by many victories after that. In the summer of 1998, Goldberg would feud with Hollywood Hogan. Rather than having the match on pay-per view, Eric Bischoff elected to put the main event on the July 6th Nitro - a financial decision that most still question years later. With WCW and nWo wrestlers feuding on the outside, a distracted Hogan would receive a spear from Goldberg, followed by The Jackhammer. Bobby Heenan proclaimed on commentary that Goldberg became the very first world champion to be undefeated.
1. Scott Hall shows up: 
While Lex Luger’s return to WCW was made to be a shock, that had nothing on the impact Scott Hall would make. Following a mediocre stint as The Diamond Studd in WCW, Scott Hall would join the WWF, and have huge success as Razor Ramon. During the May 27th, 1996 Nitro, Hall would come from the crowd in denim attire, and interrupt a match between Steve Doll and The Mauler (Mike Enos). Hall began with his promo with the line “You know who I am, but you don’t know why I’m here.” This moment would plant the seeds for the Monday Night Wars, as Kevin Nash would come in soon after, while Hulk Hogan would turn heel at the ‘96 Bash At The Beach - forming the nWo, and helping WCW consistently beat WWF in the ratings for 83 straight weeks.
Shane Douglas and Francine: Wrestling’s Most Underrated Act
Throughout wrestling history, there have been certain male and female dynamics that just clicked. Whether it was the Macho Man Randy Savage with Miss Elizabeth as a babyface, or Savage with Sherri Martel as a heel. In recent history, most fans point to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon as wrestling’s power couple. However, there is one act who were tremendous in their own right. That act was The Franchise Shane Douglas and Francine.
After managing the tag team, The Pitbulls, Francine began to align herself with Shane Douglas in 1996. It was then when she was given the nicknames “The Head Cheerleader”, and “The Queen of Extreme”.
The two had instant chemistry, and would quickly became the hottest act in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Along with being the hottest tandem, Douglas and Francine would reform The Triple Threat, which consisted of Chris Candido and Brian Lee. Eventually, Lee was replaced by Bam Bam Bigelow.
Under Francine, Douglas captured the ECW World Heavyweight title on three different occasions, including in his hometown of Pittsburgh, when he defeated Bigelow at the 1997 November to Remember. He also won the ECW World Television title twice, with his second reign being the second longest in company history.
By the late-90’s, Douglas and Francine would routinely get massive heat from the ECW faithful - mainly because Douglas has always been a strong promo throughout his career, while Francine had the perfect heel mannerisms. It was simply peanut butter and jelly.
Because WWF and WCW were broadcasted weekly on national television, where as ECW ran as a regional broadcast, the pairing of Douglas and Francine don’t receive the recognition they truly deserve, in my opinion. At the end of the day however, the two certainly have their place in wrestling history.
10 Wrestlers You Forgot Were In WCW
When it came to World Championship Wrestling, names that fans immediately would mention were Sting, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Goldberg. But then there are others who went completely over fans’ heads. Here are 10 performers that you forgot wrestled in WCW.
AJ Styles
Before he was a WWE Superstar, as well as a mega star in TNA, AJ Styles got his first national exposure with WCW. During the company’s dying days in 2001, there was a Crusierweight Tag Team division that Styles took part in, along with his tag partner, Air Paris.
Christopher Daniels
For hardcore wrestling fans, Christopher Daniels was a darling of the independent wrestling scene during the 90’s. He wrestled in WWF, as part of the Light Heavyweight Division, with his most notable match being against Taka Michinoku on Shotgun Saturday Night. In 2000, Daniels would join WCW. He sustained a neck injury in January of 2001, and never wrestled for the company again. Daniels went on to have great success in TNA.
Edge
It’s hard to believe that one of the best wrestlers of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era would be used as an enhancement talent, but that was the case, when Edge joined WCW in 1996. The Rated R Superstar wrestled under the name Damon Striker. One of his matches was against Meng (Haku in WWF).
Honky Tonk Man
When Hulk Hogan arrived to WCW in 1994, one of the wrestlers he helped get signed to the company was The Honky Tonk Man. Self-proclaiming himself as the greatest Intercontinental champion in history, Honky wrestled some in WCW, but was fired by Eric Bischoff in late ‘94.
Iron Sheik
Much like The Honky Tonk Man, Iron Sheik being in WCW feels out of place. He debuted for the promotion in 1989, and had his most notable match with Sting. After a seven month absence, he returned to WCW, when Ole Anderson became the booker. Sheik was on a one-year deal, but a mistake by WCW to not make notice to his contract allowed his deal to roll over - thus continuing to work for the company. In early 1991, Sheik left WCW.
Junkyard Dog
Before joining WCW in 1988, Sylvester Ritter, better known as Junkyard Dog, reached wrestling stardom, with both Mid South Wrestling and WWF. While JYD wasn’t known for his in-ring skills, he certainly had charisma for days. JYD got the opportunity to wrestle Ric Flair in 1990. He would leave WCW three years later.
Mark Calaway
Mark Calaway joined WCW in 1989, where he wrestled as Mean Mark Callous. The name was given to him by Terry Funk. After teaming with Dan Spivey as The Skyscrapers, Calaway began to wrestle as a single in 1990. Ole Anderson, who didn’t see much potential in the big man, let Calaway walk away from the company. At the 1990 Survivor Series, Calaway made his WWF debut as The Undertaker, and the rest as they say is history.
Marty Jannetty
When it comes to Marty Jannetty’s wrestling career, the first thing people think is his great work with Shawn Michaels as The Rockers. After Michaels turned heel on Jannetty in 1992, Jannetty’s fame wasn’t as bright. Unlike HBK, Jannetty was only a serviceable, singles wrestler. In 1996, he would form The New Rockers with Leif Cassidy (Al Snow), but it was nowhere near as successful as the original incarnation. WCW presented Thunder in January of 1998, and there was a conscious effort by Eric Bischoff to sign new talent. Jannetty was among them. He wrestled for the most part as a jobber, before getting released by WCW in 1999.
Owen Hart
Owen Hart was one of the most beloved wrestlers of his era. From multi-skilled performer to notorious prankster, Owen was one of a kind. Although a large majority of wrestling fans associate Owen as a WWF Superstar, it’s the fact that he actually wrestled for the opposition. Owen joined WCW in 1991, where he wrestled in five matches, all of which were against preliminary workers. One of the those matches saw him teaming up with Ricky Morton. Owen returned to WWF shortly after, where he feuded with his brother Bret, and had tag team success with The British Bulldog.
Rick Martel
Regardless of the promotion, Rick Martel has had noteworthy success. From AWA World champion to three-time tag team champion in the WWF, Martel was a solid, in-ring performer. Despite the skill set, it was perhaps his model gimmick in The Fed that most people remember most about him. After debuting for WCW in January of 1998, Martel would capture the World Television title a month later by defeating Booker T. Later that year, he would retire from in-ring competition. Martel is not in the WWE Hall of Fame, which still remains a mystery.
Top 5 Most Underrated Tag Teams
Wrestling has had its fair share of decorated tag teams throughout the past few decades. Teams that fit that description are The Rock and Roll Express, The Midnight Express, The Road Warriors/Legion of Doom, The Steiner Brothers, Harlem Heat, and The Dudley Boyz. But sometimes there are successful tag teams, who for whatever reason, never get their just due. Here now are the five most underrated tag teams of all-time.
5. Bradshaw and Faarooq: The team of Bradshaw and Faarooq first came into prominence, when both men were apart of The Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness stable as The Acolytes. Later on, they became APA (Acolytes Protection Agency), where they would offer protection to other wrestlers in exchange for money and beer. Despite their success, they never held the WWF/E tag team titles. In 2004, the APA were no more, as Faarooq was kayfabe fired by Smackdown general manager Paul Heyman. In real life, Ron Simmons was retiring from wrestling. The split prompted Bradshaw to become the JBL character.
4. Rob Van Dam and Sabu: At one point, Rob Van Dam and Sabu had one of the better rivalries in ECW. However, they would go onto tag team stardom. Managed by Bill Alfonso, the team of RVD and Sabu were two-time ECW tag team champions. Because of The New Age Outlaws and The Outsiders being red hot acts, for their respective companies on a national scale, RVD and Sabu get overshadowed in that late-90’s era.
3. The Fantastics: When it comes to successful non-WWF tag teams in the 80’s, the three teams you think of are The Rock and Roll Express, The Midnight Express, and The Road Warriors. The Fantastics were a great team in their own right. Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers, along with Jackie Fulton at times, would wrestle in several different promotions, winning tag team gold on 16 different occasions. Their program with The Midnight Express was recognized as The Feud of the Year in 1988 by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
2. The Eliminators: Perry Saturn and John Kronus became The Eliminators in 1993 - working for Jerry Jarrett’s USWA promotion in Memphis. In May of 1994, they would defeat the team of Eddie Gilbert and Brian Christopher to win the USWA tag team titles. While working over in Japan, Saturn and Kronus drew plenty of interest from Paul Heyman, who signed both men to ECW contracts in 1995. The Eliminators would have their most notable feud in the company with The Pitbulls. Saturn and Kronus would win the ECW tag team titles three times. However in 1997, Saturn signed with WCW, effectively ending The Eliminators.
1. Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat/Phil LaFon: Winning the All-Asia tag team titles five times with All Japan Pro Wrestling, the team of Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat were certainly one of the best tag teams of the 90’s. For a period, their team name was Can-Am Express. After a stint with ECW, Furnas and Kroffat (changed his name to Phil LaFon) signed with the WWF in 1996. Their two most notable feuds were with The Legion of Doom and the team of Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. In 1997, Furnas and LaFon returned to ECW, where they would capture the ECW tag titles by defeating the FBI, which were Tracy Smothers and Little Guido. LaFon left ECW in 1998 - breaking up the decorated tag team. Furnas would continue to wrestle as a single, but would retire soon after.
Top 5 Most Unlikely World Champions
Some characters in wrestling are larger than life - enough to be given the moniker of world champion, such as Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena. However, there are wrestlers who looked down upon as being too small, or not having “the look”. Here are five wrestlers that became unlikely world champions.
5. Chris Jericho: After a stint with both Smoky Mountain Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, Chris Jericho joined World Championship Wrestling in the fall of 1996. Jericho was a staple of WCW’s Crusierweight Division, with his best moment coming on an episode of Monday Nitro, when he delivered the infamous, “1,004 holds” promo, which was directed at Dean Malenko, who was “The Man of “1,000 Holds”. In 1999, Jericho jumped to the World Wrestling Federation - interrupting The Rock, and debuting his Y2J persona. As someone who would be a midcard wrestler in Vince McMahon’s “Land of the Giants”, Jericho did the unthinkable by defeating The Rock and Steve Austin in a triple threat match at Vengeance 2001 to become the undisputed world champion.
4. CM Punk: To suggest that CM Punk was an independent wrestling star in the early-2000’s would be a huge understatement. Punk’s best work was in Ring of Honor, specifically his trilogy of matches with Samoa Joe in 2004. The WWE would sign Punk to a developmental contract in 2005. The following year, he would debut for the revived ECW brand in 2006. Despite backstage politics, Punk would capture the WWE world title on the June 30th, 2008 episode of Monday Night Raw by cashing in his Money In the Bank case against Edge.
3. Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson): Like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson was also quite the darling of the independent wrestling scene during the 2000’s. Trained by Shawn Michaels and William Regal, Danielson arrived to WWE in 2010, where he participated in NXT, back when it was positioned as a reality show. He was given the name Daniel Bryan, and was made to look like a geek - to the point of a heel Michael Cole saying that Bryan would never make it in WWE. Danielson was initially fired by the company for choking out former WWE and current AEW ring announcer Justin Roberts with Roberts’ tie. The image was deemed “too graphic” for WWE’s PG product. However, Danielson was brought back in short order. At the December 2011 pay-per-view, Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Danielson cashed in his Money In the Bank case against the Big Show. Although that was Danielson’s first World title reign in WWE, it’s the one at Wrestlemania 30 that people remember most, when he defeated Batista and Randy Orton in a triple threat match.
2. Diamond Dallas Page: While most train to become wrestlers as a teenager, or in their 20’s, Diamond Dallas Page took a much different route. At the age of 35, DDP trained to become a professional wrestler. He debuted for WCW in 1991, teaming with the Diamond Studd (Scott Hall). Managed by his former real life wife Kimberly, Page was positioned as a midcarder in the mid-90’s. Despite being a heel, he was starting to get over by using his finisher, the Diamond Cutter. After turning babyface, it was Page’s feud with the Macho Man Randy Savage in 1997 that really put him on the map. At Spring Stampede 1999, Page would walk out as WCW World champion in a Four Way Dance against Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Sting. To this day, Page has been referred by many as “The Working Man’s Champion”.
1. Eddie Guerrero: In 1995, Eddie Guerrero wrestled Dean Malenko in a series of terrific matches in ECW. Both men were about to leave the company, for WCW, and had a two out of three falls match. After the match, the ECW faithful chanted to each “Please don’t go”. Guerrero’s best matches in WCW were with Rey Mysterio, most notably their encounter at Halloween Havoc 1997. Guerrero, along with Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn, would join the WWF in 2000 to form The Radicalz. Shortly after, Guerrero would involve himself in a romantic storyline with Chyna. In November of 2001, Guerrero was arrested for drunk driving, and subsequently released by WWE. After stints with Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling, he returned to WWE in April of 2002. Over the next couple of years, Guerrero’s popularity soared with fans, especially on the Smackdown brand, with his lying, cheating and stealing persona. Deemed with being too small, as well as personal issues, Guerrero’s biggest moment came at the 2004 No Way Out pay-per-view, when he defeated Brock Lesnar to be crowned WWE champion for the very first time. Even after his death in 2005, Eddie Guerrero’s legacy still lives on.
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