WWE has been the undisputed number one promotion in the wrestling world for decades. It was responsible for the creation of some of the greatest superstars ever. From Hulk Hogan to John Cena and everyone in between, WWE knew how to make wrestling audiences gravitate toward an individual.
Still, the company hasn't always gotten it right when it comes to superstar creation, a trend that continues to this day. While the 1990s was arguably the best time to be a fan, especially for those who got to witness Stone Cold Steve Austin cause chaos on Monday evenings, there were some gimmicks throughout each year of the decade that were considered, for lack of a better term, horrible.
10 1990: Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes gained stardom throughout the National Wrestling Alliance. He didn't have the chiseled physique that made other wrestlers famous. Yet, his ability to relate to the ordinary person, the common man, made him one of the most popular attractions for decades. However, after the son of a plumber joined Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation halfway through 1989, his persona took a dramatic turn in a different direction, one that didn't fully materialize until 1990.
Despite years and years of accomplishments before joining WWE, Dusty Rhodes wasn't involved in the world title picture during his tenure with the promotion. Even worse, his black trunks with yellow polka dots didn't do his credibility any favors.
9 1991: Repo Man
Barry Darsow had his best success as one-half--and later one-third--of the tag team, Demolition. Wrestling as Smash, he paired with Bill Eadie (Ax) and eventually Brian Adams (Crush), with the group enjoying several stints as the WWE Tag Team Champions. Yet, when Demolition came to an end, Darsow was thrust into a new persona, the Repo Man, a heel who relished in the idea of "repossessing" various items belonging to the superstars of the World Wrestling Federation. He carried a rope, wore a trench coat, and had a mask reminiscent of Zorro. Darsow did portray the Repo Man for a few years. However, the gimmick wasn't very good by any means.
8 1992: "The Model" Rick Martel
Rick Martel began his career in the early 1970s, but arguably, his first taste of success came when he appeared in the World Wrestling Federation in 1980, capturing tag team cold with Tony Garea. After he left and won the American Wrestling Association championship, he returned to WWE, where he returned to the tag team scene by forming the Can-Am Connection with Tom Zenk before enjoying success as a member of Strike Force alongside Tito Santana. However, Martel would go on to play a different role, one which showcased him as an arrogant, cocky, and brash heel in love with his looks. Known as The Model, the Quebec native had some notable feuds, and although the gimmick was considered good by some, it wasn't well-received by others.
7 1993: Giant Gonzalez
The Undertaker made his debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. He decimated nearly all of his opponents throughout his first few years, so naturally, there weren't many superstars left who seemed capable of getting the better of him. However, at the 1993 Royal Rumble, Harvey Wippleman looked to end the Undertaker's tenure as the most destructive force in the World Wrestling Federation by unveiling Giant Gonzalez, an imposing figure billed at nearly eight feet tall. He dwarfed Taker' in height, and he was arguably the biggest man ever to step foot inside a ring. Gonzalez, who wore a bodysuit resembling "Sasquatch," wasn't around for more than a cup of coffee as he parted ways with the company in the autumn of 1993.
6 1994: Kwang
Before Savio Vega became a member of the Nation of Domination and the eventual leader of Los Boricuas, he entered WWE under a different identity. He was known as Kwang, a martial artist hailing from the Orient. The wrestling fans weren't into it, though, especially after being subjected to superstars such as Avatar, Duke "The Dumpster" Droese, and Max Moon. This gimmick flopped for Savio.
5 1995: Isaac Yankem, DDS
Glenn Jacobs is the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Yet, as impressive as that accomplishment is, he is best known for his tenure as Kane, the half-brother of The Undertaker, a character he successfully portrayed for decades. But before capturing such accomplishments, Jacobs had some crappy gimmicks, including Isaac Yankem, DDS.
Yankem was a demented dentist who also had a mouthful of rotten teeth, further adding to the deranged, maniacal facade.
4 1996: The Ringmaster
Steve Williams, known throughout the wrestling world as Steve Austin, took WWE by storm toward the later part of the decade, adopting the "Stone Cold" persona to catapult the company into the Attitude Era. However, things could have gone in a different direction had the Victoria, Texas native remained cast as The Ringmaster, a gimmick he portrayed upon his debut in 1996. Managed by Ted DiBiase, The Ringmaster was a far cry from Austin's in-ring style adopted during his historic run as Stone Cold, instead claiming to be technically superior to his opponents. Fortunately, a cup of tea changed everything, and the rest is history.
3 1997: Chainsaw Charlie
Terry Funk is one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever. He made stops in the NWA, WCW, All Japan, and WCW, enjoying success along the way. Yet, when he joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1997, he wasn't known as Terry Funk, which was unfortunate considering his accomplishments. Instead, he was named Chainsaw Charlie. He wore pantyhose over his head to cover his face, and he also infamously swung a chainsaw wildly in the direction of his adversaries. While Funk is partially responsible for the creation of the gimmick, someone should have stepped in before Funk unveiled the character on live television.
2 1998: Steven Regal
Lord Steven Regal gained fame in the United States while wrestling under the WCW umbrella. Born in England, he was a pompous, entitled jerk, at least on television, and although the Blue Blood image he portrayed didn't win him any favors from American fans, his technical prowess did. Nevertheless, after he left World Championship Wrestling and headed north to the World Wrestling Federation, he debuted in late 1998 as the "Real Man's Man."
He was the complete opposite of what he was in WCW, and his ring attire consisted of wrestling boots, jean shorts, a flannel shirt, and a yellow hard hat. Luckily, he didn't last long and eventually exited WWE only a few months later before too much damage was done to his reputation.
1 1999: Gillberg
Duane Gill was a weekend staple for wrestling fans early in his career. Many bowls of cereal were consumed watching this enhancement talent (jobber) get his tail kicked from week to week. However, just when most thought his career was over, Gill made his return to WWE television. Yet, this time, it was as Gillberg, a semi-replica of Bill Goldberg, the red-hot superstar causing chaos throughout World Championship Wrestling. Although Goldberg was a bona fide performer, Gillberg was far from it, despite having a similar look and entrance.