5 WWE gimmicks that were reworked and became successful

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. This phrase has been synonymous with several WWE Superstars. Throughout the years, we have seen many Superstars change their names and appearances, as well as their gimmicks.

For a lot of these Superstars, something was missing. And it only took a slight tweak to their character or gimmick, for them to achieve success. This is the case for several WWE Superstars today.

What would have happened if Hulk Hogan didn't turn heel and become Hollywood Hulk Hogan or if Ric Flair wasn't The Nature Boy? Shawn Michaels would have had a different career trajectory if he hadn't turned his back on Marty Jannetty.

In this article, we will explore a few examples of some characters that were revised and become a success.

---

#5 WWE reworks Rocky Maivia into The Rock

From Rocky Maivia to The Rock made a world of difference. Photo / Sportskeeda

As a third-generation WWE superstar, Dwayne Johnson had massive shoes to fill. He had the pressure of being the son of a former tag team champion and grandson of High Chief Peter Maivia.

When Rocky Maivia debuted, his appearance wasn't impressive. He was slapping hands and fist-pumping on his way to the ring. It wasn't long before the fans started to dislike him.

The fans would express their displeasure at him whenever he would come to the ring. It was disheartening for Johnson at the time and he needed a reboot.

It was essential for his career to have a change made to his character. So while he was taken off TV, new plans were formed.

Upon his return to WWE, Rocky Maivia had disappeared, and The Rock took his place. Initially a member of WWE's Nation of Domination and later as its leader, Johnson became one of the most hated characters in WWE at the time. He would then go to become a multi-time World Champion and one of the best Superstars on the mic as well.

WWE was able to rework Rocky Maivia into becoming The Rock and the result was absolutely brilliant.

#4 WWE reworks The New Day

From where New Day was initially teased to where they are is night and day. Photo / Sportskeeda

When there was early teasing of this group coming together, what fans had envisioned for The New Day was something different. WWE fans may recall while Big E and Kofi Kingston were in the ring, Xavier Woods came to them all dressed in white.

What was his motivation, and why were they coming together? Vignettes would air and fans would see what appeared to be a gospel choir backing the trio. Were they going to be somethin along the lines of faction based on religion? More questions were being asked about the group.

When they did debut, they were overly happy and positive. While the intention in bringing them together was supposed to make them a face faction, chants of "New Day Sucks" filled WWE arenas.

From then onwards, the overly happy trio caused fans to jeer. As time passed, the group spun the jeers into 'New Day Rocks' chants.

The outlandish trio would embrace their love of anime, video games, and unicorns and became a success. After multiple WWE tag team championships, New Day's transformation and freedom to have fun couldn't be argued.

#3 WWE reworks Vince McMahon into Mr. McMahon

To say Mr. McMahon was a bad boss is an understatement. Photo / Sportskeeda

For years, WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, was known merely as a commentator. Whether it was WWE Challenge or Superstars, fans had only known of him as the play by play man on WWE television.

Vince McMahon was just a WWE commentator. His time and influence behind the mic helped the likes of past color commentator Jerry 'The King' Lawler below.

"I never thought about being an announcer. I only thought about being a [pro] wrestler. When I got up to New York, but Vince [McMahon] helped me out on that. The fact that he said, 'we're still going to use you [as a pro wrestler]' and they did. From time-to-time, they used me in a wrestling role, but not as full-time. But he convinced me that, if you remember, the guy's place that I took was 'Macho Man' Randy Savage when he jumped the ship and went over. So he was already using top guys as men of color. And so, that's how he made me accept it a little more. He said, 'I felt like you're taking the place of Randy Savage here when he jumped ship to WCW,' so it made it a little more palatable."

Once the Montreal Screwjob took place, the vale was lifted as to who the real WWE owner of the promotion was. Vince McMahon, the WWE commentator, became Mr. McMahon, the owner.

The Chairman of WWE was responsible for elevating many Superstars into Superstardom by inserting himself into storylines. A prime example of this was Stone Cold Steve Austin where Mr. McMahon played the perfect heel for the Texas Rattlesnake.

#2 WWE reworks The Ringmaster into Stone Cold Steve Austin

The evolution of Stone Cold Steve Austin made history. Photo / Sportskeeda

Throughout the earlier part of his career, the man known as Stunning Steve Austin showed a great deal of promise. When the WWE Hall of Famer first competed he had long flowing locks and wore a robe to the ring. When he arrived in WWE, his hair was nearly shaved clean and he was known as The Ringmaster.

With the Millon Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase, at his side, Austin had no real identity. When Austin and DiBiase went their separate ways, we began to see the birth of the Stone Cold Steve Austin character. It was his infamous Austin 3:16 promo where fans saw the transformation become complete. In his own words, former WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin recalls how it all came about.

I could hear the RF microphone, Vince was doing commentary. I knew I needed to shut the F up and take it home, but I needed a button. So as I’m hearing Vince I’m saying to myself, ‘I need a go home line, I need a go home line.’ That’s when I sh*t: ‘And that’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so.’”

“That’s when Michaels Hayes told me that Jake The Snake cut a religious-based promo on me and that’s when the Austin 3:16 was born.”

This transformation proved to be a masterstroke as Stone Cold Steve Austin became one of the most recognised WWE Superstars of all time and his Hall Of Fame career is a proof of it.

#1 WWE reworks Becky Lynch into The Man

'The Man' has ushered in a whole new side of Becky Lynch. Photo/ Sportskeeda

For every competitor, confidence needs to be evident. When Becky Lynch was called up to the main roster, WWE brought in an extremely talented and determined competitor from NXT.

Lynch came to the ring with a steam punk entrance and a ton of enthusiasm. Her love of puns and banter with friends would result in a positive reaction from the fans. At one point, Becky Lynch was seen by the WWE Universe as the woman that deserves to be on top.

Despite coming close time and time again, it seemed like others were put in a position to be on top, and she was being passed by.

It wasn't until her match against Charlotte and Carmella at SummerSlam 2018, that things changed. Charlotte hit her Natural Selection finisher on Lynch and pinned her for the victory. Charlotte Flair was once again the Women's champion.

After the match, a warm embrace by the two friends turned into an all out assault from Lynch. Fans had wait for a turn from Lynch, and this was it. This had signalled the birth of The Man.

With her new character, Lynch went on to achieve tremendous success and won both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships in the main event of WrestleMania 35.