Gimmicks That Could Have Been Ruined by Smarkiness?

[Ruthless-RKO]

I was just thinking about the "Albert" chants at Tensai and thought... What other gimmicks could have been ruined, like Tensai?

Imagine if the fire explodes at Bad Blood 1997. Kane enters the ring and steps toe to toe with the Undertaker. As opposed to the crowd being in awe, they chant "I-SSAC YANK-EM" CLAP, CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP.

Any others you can think off?

 

[ECPirate37]

I like your Kane example. And to expound upon that further, the same could be said if they chanted, "Mean Mark Cal-lous" clap, clap, clap clap clap at the Undertaker.

I like this thread and I look forward to seeing what other people write.

 

[legendkiller1979]

one of the earliest example of this happened back in 1987. Before Barry Darsow was brought in to be Smash of Demolition, Randy Colley filled that spot. The problem was that people recognized him as one of the moondogs and would chant this during demolition's matches. Vince had no choice but to replace Colley

One example that I can think of that might have been ruined was the big boss man. People could have very easily chanted "bubba...bubba" during his matches as he came over from the NWA playing the character Big Bubba Rogers.

 

[UltimateHitman]

How about if the Ultimate Warrior had gotten chants of "Dingo!" "Dingo!"

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

I'd say Undertaker also, "Texas Tornado *CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP CLAP*"

Dolph Ziggler - "Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky" LMAO I'm surprised that really didn't happen with Ziggler.

 

[EastCoastFan]

Back in the pre-internet territorial days, wrestlers moved from company to company around the country and often changed their name/gimmick if it wasn't working for them. For example, Scott Levy went by his real name in Memphis, Scotty The Body in PNW, Scotty Flamingo in WCW and Johnny Polo in the WWF before going to ECW and finding the persona he stuck with.

One like that took place with the women (they weren't Divas yet) in 1999. The WWF had signed indy wrestler Malia Hosaka and were planning to do a Rocky Balboa-type storyline with her, billing her as an unknown and eventually she would have defeated Ivory and become women's champion. Just one problem: so many fans recognized her that they couldn't continue calling her an unknown. WWF kept her off TV and revamped her, planning to make her Essa Rios' valet. At the last minute, they gave that slot to Lita and Malia was released.

Nowadays, name changes come about because of trademarking and rights issues. I'm sure WWE wanted to give CM Punk a new name when they came in.

 

[DJS92491]

One of the greatest examples ever.

The night when TNA fans certainly did not forget the name Braden Walker.

Knock Knock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17LDYDDPpFA

 

[ccotreau1]

2 people outside of the guys mentioned before I think of that may have suffered would be:

1. Luke Gallows, who was the Imposter Kane and Festus beforehand
2. Kevin Thorne, who was Moredcai before

 

[Wolf Pac]

Ryback - "Yip Yip Yip, What It Do", "Goldberg, Goldberg, Goldberg"

 

[Papa Pillman]

I'm really hoping that when Windham Rotunda re-debuts on the main roster with the "Bray Wyatt" character, no smartass crowds attempt to derail the character's brilliance with "Husky Harris" chants.

I would also fear that some would offer "Waylon Mercy" chants, but I'm not confident that there are enough smarks in any WWE crowd that understand the reference and could get the momentum to make that chant noticeable on a tv broadcast.

 

[Slash-LN]

Repo Man.

Not this it was a very good gimmick or anything.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dolph Ziggler - "Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky" LMAO I'm surprised that really didn't happen with Ziggler.

Or maybe even a "Come on Nicky" chant, he would have been destroyed by now!

2 people outside of the guys mentioned before I think of that may have suffered would be:

1. Luke Gallows, who was the Imposter Kane and Festus beforehand
2. Kevin Thorne, who was Moredcai before

The imposter Kane I can understand, but I think Punk already told the fans himself that he was in fact Festus before.

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

I'd say Undertaker also, "Texas Tornado *CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP CLAP*"

Dolph Ziggler - "Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky Nicky" LMAO I'm surprised that really didn't happen with Ziggler.

I'm not sure it's what you were saying, but The Texas Tornado was Kerry Von Erich just to clear things up for anyone, not Mark Calloway.

People have tried to do this with Ryback with the Goldberg chants but luckily enough fans know what his real name is to buck the trend before it starts.

Stone Cold would have been a good subject if people who knew chanted Ring master or Stunning Steve back in the day.